Government
Senate confirms Dr. Benjamin as surgeon general
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Nov. 9, 2009
The Senate on Oct. 29 voted unanimously to confirm Regina M. Benjamin, MD, as U.S. surgeon general. The family physician from southern Alabama becomes the nation's top public health educator and leader of the 6,000-member Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service, one of the nation's seven uniformed services. President Obama nominated her for the post on July 13, and the Senate voice vote represents a consensus on her approval by both major parties.
Dr. Benjamin, 53, was the first woman and first African-American president of the Medical Assn. of the State of Alabama in 2002. She also served on the American Medical Association Board of Trustees from 1995 to 1998, becoming the youngest physician to serve in a nonresident role. "Dr. Benjamin brings the important perspective of a physician who has dedicated her life to caring for vulnerable patients to the surgeon general post," said AMA President J. James Rohack, MD.
Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chair Tom Harkin (D, Iowa) praised Dr. Benjamin's commitment to preventive care. "As we move in Congress to enact health reform that puts a sharp new emphasis on keeping Americans healthy, rather than treating them once they become ill, it is reassuring to know that we have a surgeon general who will back our efforts at the highest levels of public health."
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/11/09/gvbf1109.htm.
