Antonia Novello, a pediatrician who is considered an expert in pediatric aids, is the leading candidate to become the next Surgeon General, the White House said last week.
If nominated by President Bush and confirmed by the Senate, Dr. Novello would be the first female and the first Hispanic to fill the post.
She would replace C. Everett Koop, who drew national attention for his frank talk about aids and his campaign against smoking.
Dr. Novello is currently the deputy director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. She has specialized in kidney diseases and headed a Department of Health and Human Services task force on pediatric aids.
A White House spokesman was unable to say when the nomination might be formally announced.-
