AMA Celebrates Nomination of Regina Benjamin, MD, Surgeon General

For immediate release:
July 13, 2009

Statement attributable to:
J. James Rohack, MD
President, American Medical Association

“The American Medical Association is delighted that Dr. Regina Benjamin, MD, has been nominated to serve as our nation’s next U.S. Surgeon General. Her many impressive accomplishments, including receiving a 2008 MacArthur Fellowship, commonly known as the "genius grant,” leave no doubt as to her qualifications.

"Dr. Benjamin’s most important qualification for surgeon general is her deep commitment to her patients. We are particularly gratified to see her recognized for her work caring for patients in rural Alabama, and for her commitment to rebuilding her rural health clinic in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. She is a true professional who puts her patients first.

“The AMA is immensely proud of Dr. Benjamin’s accomplishments, and we are extremely fortunate that she has just served a term as chair of the AMA’s Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs. She served as a member of the AMA’s Board of Trustees with the dual distinctions of being the AMA’s first young physician trustee, as well as the first African-American woman board member.

“We look forward to seeing Dr. Benjamin serve as an advocate for all the nation’s patients, as our country works toward health reform that provides high quality, affordable health coverage for all.”

###

Contact:

Brenda L. Craine
Director, AMA Media Relations
(202) 789-7447

AMA news on Twitter.