President Barack Obama on Monday nominated Dr. Regina Benjamin, a family physician and Xavier University of Louisiana alumna, to be the next Surgeon General.
Benjamin, 52, is founder of the Bayou La Batre Rural Health Clinic, which serves
Benjamin gained acclaim for her determination to rebuild her clinic after hurricanes George in 1998 and Katrina in 2005 shuttered the building. In 2006, a fire destroyed Benjamin’s clinic just after flood damage was repaired. During this period, Benjamin, who
Benjamin received a bachelor’s degree in 1979 from Xavier University, a historically Black institution known for its ability to place its students in medical school. She received medical degrees from the Morehouse School of Medicine and the University of Alabama, Birmingham. She also holds a master’s degree in business administration from Tulane University.
“Regina Benjamin has defied the odds for so long, in a way, I knew that this was coming,” says Dr. Norman Francis, president of Xavier University.
Xavier sends more African-Americans to medical school than any other institution. The university has placed an average of 80 students per year into medical school over the past few years and has placed approximately 60 students per year into related science-related fields.
“Even in her quiet manner, Regina Benjamin has got strength that few people have,” Francis adds.
