Antonia Novello remained in the regular corps of the Public Health Service and was assigned the United Nations Children's Fund before retiring.
After leaving the position of Surgeon General, Novello remained in the regular corps of the Public Health Service. She was assigned the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Special Representative for Health and Nutrition from 1993 to 1996 reverting to her permanent two-star rank of rear admiral. She retired from the Public Health Service and the PHSCC shortly after with the grade of vice admiral. 
