(August 23, 1944- )
Born in Fajardo, Puerto Rico
Birth name was Antonia Coello
US Surgeon General (1990-93)
New York State Commissioner of Health (1999-2006)
Sister-in-law of Don 'Father Guido Sarducci' Novello

As surgeon general, she supported a controversial policy banning workers in family planning programs that receive federal funding from discussing abortion with their patients.
She was accused of using state employees to pick up her dry cleaning and drive her to shopping sprees at Macy's and Sak's Fifth Avenue, costing taxpayers $48,000 in overtime pay.
Subordinates knew her as such a shopaholic that 'employees in the office would give her sales fliers or coupons to encourage her to leave the office so they would not have to work late.'
After receiving a warning about her behavior, she told her drivers to park in an inconspicuous place during her shopping excursions or for the drivers to use their personal cars instead of state cars for her trips.
She pleaded guilty to one felony count of filing a false document and received no jail time, instead being sentenced to 250 hours of community service, a $5,000 fine, $22,500 in restitution and three years probation (June 26, 2009).
Asked by the judge if she had intended to defraud the state, she admitted, 'Yes, your honor.'

She was born with a colon abnormality and her family could not afford corrective surgery until she was 18.
She graduated high school early at age 15.
She attracted attention from the White House for her interest in pediatric AIDS.
She was the first woman and first Hispanic appointed surgeon general.
She battled tobacco companies over cigarette ads aimed at children.
Although she was a George H. W. Bush appointee, Bill Clinton praised her 'vigor and talent.'

Credit: C. Fishel

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For 2009, as of last week, Out of 12 Votes: 66.67% Annoying

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