Co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Hillsborough and Pasco Counties and the Center for Sustainable Democracy
About the Event
Join the Center for Sustainable Democracy as part of the College of Arts & Sciences Democracy & Citizenship Speaker Series for an evening with Dr. Antonia Coello Novello on “Women, Democracy & Public Health.” Dr. Novello is a dedicated public health administrator who, in 1990, became the first female and first Hispanic U.S. Surgeon General. Dr. Novello will share excerpts from her memoir, “Duty Calls: Lessons Learned from an Unexpected Life of Service,” and discuss the importance of representation for health communities and democratic processes. The event will include a question-and-answer session as well as a book signing.
Date, Time, and Location
DATE: Monday, April 14, 2025
TIME: 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
LOCATION:
Marshall Student Center (MSC)
Oval Theater
4103 ԹϱCedar Circle
Tampa, FL 33620
Registration
Registration is requested but not mandatory.
IMPORTANT FOR STUDENTS
Attendance at this event fulfills an opportunity for rigorous debate as mandated by the State of Florida Civics Literacy graduation requirement. Some students who transfer from other institutions are able to supplement their transfer coursework to meet graduation requirements by participating. Proof of attendance that includes a photo at the event is necessary to receive the credit.
About the Speakers

Moderator: Dr. Janelle Applequist
Dr. Janelle Applequist is an associate professor of advertising in the Zimmerman School
of Advertising & Mass Communications at the Թϱ, where she
serves as director of internships and associate director for the Center for Sustainable
Democracy in the College of Arts and Sciences.
As a transdisciplinary researcher, she specializes in advertising and health communication.
Her significant contributions include serving on the Food and Drug Administration’s
(FDA) Patient Engagement Advisory Committee since 2019 and delivering expert presentations
to the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. Dr. Applequist’s research portfolio
includes over $62 million in research funding across university, industry and federally-funded
projects, including her current role as Co-Investigator on the Preventing Alzheimer's
with Cognitive Training (PACT) study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
She is the author of "Broadcast Pharmaceutical Advertising in the United States” and
co-author of "CTE, Media, and the NFL: Framing a Public Health Crisis as a Football
Epidemic."
Through collaboration with USF's Health Informatics Institute, she has led the research
phases for multiple international clinical trials focusing on rare diseases. Her work
has been published in leading journals including “Annals of Family Medicine,” “International
Journal of Advertising,” “Qualitative Health Research” and “Journal of Health Communication.”
She proudly serves on the editorial board for the “Journal of Current Issues & Research
in Advertising” and as a member of the research council for the National Communication
Association.
Dr. Applequist holds a doctorate degree and a master’s degree from Penn State University
and is an alumna of the Association of National Advertisers Educational Foundation's
Visiting Professor Program.

Dr. Antonia Coello Novello
Dr. Antonia Coello Novello was the first woman and the first Hispanic Surgeon General of the United States. During her tenure, she focused on the health of young people, women and minorities. She also issued reports and spoke out on underage drinking, smoking, drug abuse, AIDS (especially among women and adolescents), childhood immunization and injury prevention, and improved healthcare for minorities. She has medical degree in pediatric nephrology and a master's degree in public health. In 1999, she was nominated as the New York State Commissioner of Health.
PARKING
Guest parking is available in Crescent Hill Parking Garage (CHG). Please look for signs to indicate CAS Democracy and Citizenship Speaker Series Parking.
For more information about parking options, please visit the Parking Services website.
Directions
From I-275
- Take exit 52, Fletcher Ave/CR-582A and head East for 2.5 miles.
- Turn right at ԹϱPalm Dr.
- Turn left at ԹϱHolly Dr.
- Follow N Palm Dr/ԹϱPalm Dr around the corner to find Parking Lots 3A, 3B, and 3C.
- Additional parking: Crescent Hill Parking Garage (CHG) at 4119 ԹϱCedar Drive, Tampa, FL 33620
From I-75
- Take exit 266, Fletcher Ave and head West on Fletcher for 4.0 miles.
- Turn left at N Palm Dr/ԹϱPalm Dr.
- Follow N Palm Dr/ԹϱPalm Dr around the corner to find Parking Lots 3A, 3B, and 3C.
- Additional parking: Crescent Hill Parking Garage (CHG) at 4119 ԹϱCedar Drive, Tampa, FL 33620
Questions about the event
For reasonable accommodations or questions, please contact CAS RSVP.