Dr. Regina Benjamin -- New Surgeon General: Her Responsibilities

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Regina Benjamin

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US President Obama has selected Dr. Regina Benjamin as his new Surgeon General. Dr. Benjamin is a rural Alabama family physician who fought hard to rebuild her nonprofit clinic when hurricane Katrina ravaged it. Earlier this year, President Obama has nominated CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta for the position of the Surgeon General. However, Dr. Gupta declined the nomination in March, quoting his family and surgical career as reasons for his lack of interest.  Dr. Gupta's reluctance to take on the job has lead to today's announcement of Dr. Benjamin becoming the third African American and only the second non-acting woman to hold the position.

But, what does the position of the Surgeon General imply? And what will Dr. Benjamin be responsible for when she assumes her duties as the Surgeon General once the US Senate confirms her nomination?

Dr. Benjamin's duties will include being the people's health advocate, or the nation's top doctor, for the next four years. She will be the leading spokesperson on matters of public health in the federal government, which implies Benjamin will be the one to follow for swine flu updates in the fall. Benjamin will also be responsible for dealing with public health emergencies, health warnings, educating the public about health issues and advocating healthy lifestyle choices. Finally, Benjamin will oversee the operations of the 6,000-member Commissioned Corps of the US Public Health Service -- a body of US health professionals.

There has been no word yet on whether Regina Benjamin plans to accept the nomination of President Obama.