America's Doctor

The next physician we want to honor during Black History Month is Vice Admiral Dr. Regina Benjamin, or as we like to call her,

The Surgeon General of the United States

 

Hailing from Mobile, Alabama, Dr. Regina Benjamin completed her medical degree at Morehouse School of Medicine and her family medicine residency in Macon, Ga.

With a passion for preventative health Dr. Benjamin has spent most of her career increasing awareness on how to avoid diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes. As the founder and CEO of the Bayou La Batre Rural Health Clinic in Bayou La Batre, Louisiana she has worked tirelessly to provide health care to those who need it most; rebuilding the clinic even after it was destroyed during Hurricane Katrina.

In July of 2009, Dr. Benjamin was nominated by President Barack Obama to be the 18th U.S. Surgeon General, and was confirmed by the United States Senate in October 2009. In January 2010, she released her first document, entitled "The Surgeon General’s Vision for a Healthy and Fit Nation, where she discussed the obesity crisis and provided a blueprint on how to take on the issue. She has also notably brought to the Nation's attention many key health issues including suicide prevention, tobacco use in youth, the prevention of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, and  breastfeeding.

Many Americans know Dr. Benjamin from her "Don't Let Your Hair Get in the Way" Campaign. Tailored towards women, in particular African-American women, the campaign highlights a huge barrier to getting fit; not wanting to mess up your hair. The campaign focused on women taking their health into their own hands, and finding different hairstyles to promote both beauty and health.The campaign even introduced a contest for the best gym-ready hairstyle


We salute Dr. Regina Benjamin for putting the Nation's health first, and working hard to serve all Americans.

Go 'head, girl!

Sources: Surgeongeneral.gov;Regina Benjamin