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This is a biography of one of the most well-known figures in the United States today. Donna Shalala holds the position of Secretary of Health and Human Services, a position she has held for the past seven years, the longest of any Secretary in U.S. history. Secretary Shalala is also a first generation Lebanese woman, born in Cleveland, Ohio and was also a Peace Corps volunteer in Iran. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree from Western College for Women in 1962 and her Ph.D. from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs of Syracuse University in 1970.

Donna E. Shalala, Ph.D.,
official portrait

http://www.hhs.gov/about/bios/dhhssecphoto.html

Throughout her career, Secretary Shalala has been highly successful. She has served as a Director and Treasurer of New York City's Municipal Assistance Corporation, during which time they brought the city back from financial destruction. After that, she was an Assistant Secretary at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, as well as serving as President of Hunter College, in New York City, for eight years. Before accepting the position of Secretary of Health and Human Services, Secretary Shalala was Chancellor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she became the first women to head a Big Ten University. Under her direction, she raised over $400 million dollars for the university and also promoted health events such as a campus wide smoking ban, and measures to decrease students use of alcohol. Secretary Shalala commitment to improve the health standards of students and all Americans has long been evident and this commitment has continued throughout her tenure as Secretary of Health and Human Services.

When beginning her new position as Secretary in January, 1993, Secretary Shalala brought over 20 years of experience in social policy, administration and education with her. These are the qualities needed for an agency that is responsible for the "major health, welfare, food and drug safety, medical research and income security programs serving the American people." During her time as Secretary, Donna Shalala helped organize the Children's Health Insurance Programs (CHIP), which provides insurance for more than 2.5 million children, as well as crusading to end racial health disparities, violence against women, and for better medications to treat AIDS. Many of her campaigns have worked alongside private and advocacy organizations to improve the health of children and young adults, especially in the fight against tobacco use.

As shown, Secretary Shalala is a wonderful example of a successful, respected Lebanese woman. Her hard work and leadership skills have given her the admiration of many, and have placed her in one of the top positions in the United States. Her dedication to the health of Americans, especially to women and children, have brought about major improvements in access and delivery of health care, as well as increasing health education and prevention programs to all populations.

By Joyce Kanaan

Works Cited:

http://www.hhs.gov/about/bios/dhhssee.html
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/canusa/dhhsec.html

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