Regina Benjamin New Surgeon General: Who is Dr. Regina Benjamin?

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Regina Benjamin | Photo 11

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Dr. Regina Benjamin will formally be sworn in Monday at as the new Surgeon General at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade on Pennsylvania Avenue. Dr Benjamin was nominated to the post of Surgeon General in July (see video).

Benjamin is unquestionably qualified to be the United States top doctor. She is a MacCarthur Grant Genius, she has worked extensively in promoting health care among the poor. Dr. Benjamin founded a clinic,, the Bayou La Batre Health Clinic, in the Alabama - an area of Alabama that was hit hard by Hurricane Katrina.

When Regina Benjamin was first appointed there was a minor stir about her weight, with critics arguing she was too fat and since obesity is an epidemic in the USA,  Benjamin was not qualified to be Surgeon General. That criticism was dismissed.

But Benjamin has more than well established professional credentials. By looking at her personal history it is clear that Dr. Benjamin is a compelling pick for the United States top doctor.

The health issues plaguing so many Americans have hit Regina Benjamin's family hard. Diabetes and high blood pressure killed her father. HIV killed Benjamin's brother and Dr. Benjamin's mother died of lung cancer.

Videos

AMA Foundation 2009 Excellence in Medicine Awards

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