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Washington, D.C., July 14, 2009—AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges) President and CEO Darrell G. Kirch, M.D., issued the following statement today on President Obama's nomination of Regina Benjamin, M.D., M.B.A., as U.S. surgeon general: "The AAMC congratulates Dr. Benjamin on her nomination as U.S. surgeon general. A gifted physician with a strong commitment to caring for the underserved and community health, Dr. Benjamin has first-hand understanding of the struggles many Americans face when they seek health care. This nomination also appears to mark the first time that a former participant in the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) could serve as our chief public health official. The NHSC, which provides financial assistance to new physicians who practice in underserved areas, is critically important to America's future health care needs. In addition to Dr. Benjamin's experience with the NHSC and caring for the underserved, she would also bring an understanding of medical education to her new position. As former associate dean for rural health at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Dr. Benjamin trained medical students at the Bayou La Batre Rural Health Clinic, which she founded, and mentored them through her directorship of the Alabama Area Health Education Center. She is also the immediate past chair of the Federation of State Medical Boards, and has participated in various initiatives undertaken by the National State Board of Medical Examiners. The surgeon general can play a vital role in setting the nation's health agenda, and Dr. Benjamin's experience on the frontlines of care delivery will provide an excellent foundation for her contributions to the administration's reform efforts. We applaud Dr. Benjamin's nomination, and look forward to working with her to improve the health of the nation, once she receives Senate confirmation." # # # The Association of American Medical Colleges is a not-for-profit association representing all 131 accredited U.S. and 17 accredited Canadian medical schools; nearly 400 major teaching hospitals and health systems, including 68 Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers; and nearly 90 academic and scientific societies. Through these institutions and organizations, the AAMC represents 128,000 faculty members, 75,000 medical students, and 110,000 resident physicians. Additional information about the AAMC and U.S. medical schools and teaching hospitals is available at www.aamc.org/newsroom. |
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