About Nadine

Dr. Nadine Burke Harris is an internationally recognized pediatrician and public health advocate known for her pioneering work on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress. Her research proves that severe or ongoing trauma in childhood—such as abuse, neglect, or parental substance abuse—doesn’t just harm mental health, it can physically change a child’s brain and body, leading to a much higher risk for adult illnesses like heart disease and cancer. Nadine was the first-ever Surgeon General of California, serving from 2019 to 2022. In this role, she launched a successful statewide effort to train medical providers to screen for ACEs and use trauma-informed care, making California a national leader in recognizing and treating childhood adversity. Before her role as Surgeon General, she founded and served as CEO of the Center for Youth Wellness in San Francisco. This organization was dedicated to creating a new medical model that actively treats toxic stress in children to prevent long-term harm. Her work pushes the medical field to look beyond individual symptoms and address the social root causes of poor health. Her influential book, The Deepest Well: Healing the Long-Term Effects of Childhood Adversity (2018), and her highly viewed TED Talk have brought the science of ACEs into the public conversation, showing that while adversity is harmful, it is not destiny—early detection and supportive relationships can help children heal and thrive.