First Woman, Latina Surgeon General Details Life of Public Service in New Book

You’ve worked to increase access to health care for underserved communities, such as Latinos, Native Americans and the LGBTQ+ community during the HIV/AIDS crisis. In your opinion, what are some of the most pressing health care issues that these underserved demographics are still facing today?

One of the things that is very important: There was a poll done, I think in 2022, asking the American public if they felt there was bias in this country, and 47 percent [said] absolutely not; 17 percent were totally unsure. I tend to believe that when you look into our culture and our ethnic groups, there [are] biases, and when you have biases, health has biases. The prejudice will take over the way that you practice, and you will become just a deliverer of a prescription but not a deliverer of health care.

In your personal life, you were a caregiver to many in your family who were experiencing health issues. What advice do you have for caregivers?

Remember that an average woman loses 11.5 years of her life being the caregiver, either as a family member or a member of the family by marriage, and by the time she wants to go back to work, it’s extremely difficult because she has lost all the ability to be on top of every knowledge that is there. And I don’t think that is recognized. And even now, caregivers that are paid, they have to do at least two to three jobs to be able to maintain themselves, surviving in the world that is getting so expensive. I have a feeling that we’re not giving the caregiver the importance and the respect they deserve. Having cared for my ex-husband for so long, almost two years, I feel that I was tremendously criticized by my peers. As I look back now, I have no remorse, no remorse whatsoever. If asked again, I will do it again.… I was there just to be able to help him until the end, and he died with me. When it’s asked, you give it; you don’t think about what it would cost and what you will lose. Caregiving is an act of love. And caregivers need more respect for what they give, not disdain for the presence of having done the job of somebody else.

What advice do you have for others who are grieving losses of family members? 

The most important thing is: Get them close to their God. Make sure that friends come to see them. And in spite of telling them the end is near, give them hope. In your face show love, affection, and make sure that you spend time, quality time. Hold their hands. Pray with them. And more than anything, make them happy with your presence and promise that you’re going to come back — and do come back. False promises at the time of sickness only augment your feeling of loneliness, so don’t do that. Respect them for what they are and what they were. At the end, I think that they really appreciated it, and the happiness in [their] face when you walk into that room pays off for all the things that came after.

You say in your book: “I have come to realize that I have mostly lived to please society and others and in the process have forgotten about myself.” How are you focusing on yourself in retirement?

In these types of jobs I have had, there was no time to be flippant, to be noninvolved, to the point that I forgot about my own life. So I wish I would have had more time to be much more with people, bonding rather than just doing my work, giving speeches and detached from society because I believed not only would it interfere with the credibility of my job, but basically would not create a role model job for somebody who was going to follow me. Hopefully, I have learned that. And now, in those years that I have left, I’ll be more bonding, be more sensitive, less distant, hopefully.

And how are you spending your time in retirement?

I’m not retired — I’m in transition. I give so many speeches, and [there are] so many places that I go to talk to people. It’s different from before: I would give a speech and make the people weary. Now I give this speech and make the people happy with the words they hear and with options to have to change part of the world where we live. So the modus operandi has changed a little bit. I do a lot of speeches for women, not sugarcoating, but [telling them] the reality of our lives .… I impart new knowledge so that they plan ahead for things that no one tells us in some of our career paths.

What advice do you have for people entering retirement?

I always say life is becoming longer, and therefore we cannot just sit down and wait for death to come. I think we have to stay involved. More than anything, friends are crucial. You need companionship. You need friends. You need to go out to the restaurant, treat yourself like you were your best and only friend. And don’t keep your mouth shut if you have something to say. That brain of yours is still there. Keep discovering it; it’s crucial. If you are lonely, by your own choice, then when the time comes, you will not be missed. But if you are forever mixing with your friends, somebody will know that you have not called, somebody will know that you haven’t visit[ed], and they will come and trace you and they will find you. And so the other thing that I think is important: Learn to listen. I think that’s the biggest form of respect that you can give anybody.

Any final thoughts?

I believe it’s important not to believe you’re retired: You’re in transition. Don’t let anyone put you down because you’re getting old. You’re not an old person who has nothing to offer. You are the epitome of knowledge, experience and good common sense. They have no idea what they’re missing by not touching your intelligence and utilizing your Rolodex.