African American Woman as new Surgeon General

Obama Names Alabama Family Doctor as New Surgeon General

Dr. Regina Benjamin Rebuilt Rural Health Clinic After Hurricane Katrina

By JAKE TAPPER, KAREN TRAVERS and SUNLEN MILLER
July 13, 2009

President Barack Obama named Dr. Regina Benjamin as U.S. surgeon general in an announcement late this morning at the White House.

Dr. Regina Benjamin became nationally known for her determination to rebuild a rural health clinic...

Dr. Regina Benjamin became nationally known for her determination to rebuild a rural health clinic in Bayou La Batre, Ala., after it was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. She is the first African American woman to head a state medical society and received a MacArthur Foundation "genius grant" last year.

(Bill Starling/The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation/AP Photo)

Benjamin, an Alabama family physician, runs a rural health clinic in Bayou La Batre, Ala.. She was the first African–American woman to head a state medical society and received a MacArthur Foundation "genius grant" last year.

Benjamin, who must be confirmed by the Senate, became known nationally for her determination to rebuild her clinic, destroyed by Hurricane Georges in 1998 and again by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.