WASHINGTON, July 13, 2009
Surgeon General Pick "Humbled" By Honor
Obama Announces Nomination Of Regina Benjamin; Family Physician was First Black Woman to Head a State Medical Society
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President Obama has named Dr. Regina Benjamin of Alabama to be U.S. Surgeon General (CBS)
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President Barack Obama stands with his nominee for Surgeon General, Dr. Regina Benjamin, in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Monday, July 13, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
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"If there's anyone who understands the urgency of meeting this [health care] challenge in a personal and powerful way, it is the woman who will become our nation's next surgeon general, Dr. Regina Benjamin," said Mr. Obama.
Benjamin said she felt "honored" and "humbled" after being chosen for the post.
"This is a physician's dream," she said.
Having lost most of her family members to preventable diseases, such as HIV, diabetes, and lung cancer, Benjamin said she feels a personal connection to public health issues.
"While I can't -- or I cannot change my family's past, I can be a voice in the movement to improve our nation's health care and our nation's health for the future," she said.
The family physician is most famous for the role she played in the wake of Hurrican Katrina, when she was determined to rebuild her rural health clinic in Bayou La Batre, Ala., despite hurricane and fire destruction.
The clinic serves 4,400 patients who would be hard-pressed to find care elsewhere. Byron Pitts of CBS News profiled the doctor back in 2006.
Last September, Benjamin received a MacArthur Foundation "genius grant" for her efforts to rebuild the clinic.
"When people couldn't pay, she didn't charge them. When the clinic wasn't making money, she didn't take a salary for herself," Mr. Obama said Monday. "She's seen an increasing number of patients who have had health insurance their entire lives suddenly lose it because they lost their jobs or because it's simply become too expensive.
Citing the difficulties she faced in rebuilding her clinic and finding ways to provide care to the uninsured, Benjamin said, "It should not be this hard for doctors and other health care providers to care for their patients. It shouldn't be this expensive for Americans to get health care in this country."
In addition to expressing her concern about America's health care system, Benjamin touched upon some goals if confirmed as surgeon general.
"My hope, if confirmed as surgeon general, is to be America's doctor, America's family physician," said Benjamin. "As we work toward a solution to this health care crisis, I promise to communicate directly with the American people to help guide them through whatever changes may come with health care reform."
Benjamin became President of the Medical Association of the State of Alabama in 2002, becoming the first black woman to head a state medical society and received the Nelson Mandela Award for Health and Human Rights.
She is the Immediate Past-Chair of the Federation of State Medical Boards of the United States, and previously served as Associate Dean for Rural Health at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine.
For more information on Benjamin, you can view her profile on the McArthur Foundation Web Site.
©MMIX, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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- shouldn't have anyting to do with race. point is what makes her qualified? running her own clinic in Alabama doesn't make me feel real confidant in the "head doctor" of the government. the past ones at least had sterling AND substantial academic AND public health experience. there had to be better choices. some sort of payback going on here.
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- by impeachbhb July 13, 2009 12:45 PM PDT
HAS SOMEONE GIVEN MY IDENTITY AWAY??? HOW DID YOU KNOW I AM AT LEAST A DOCTOR?
Judging from previous posts, it's surprising that you can even SPELL doctor. - Reply to this comment
- by bigmo47 July 13, 2009 11:51 AM PDT
by impeachbhb July 13, 2009 11:18 AM PDT
Obama is rewarding her. He is going to allow her to finish medical school during her off hours
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Very Insightful. Maybe you can help her finish. I'm sure you are at least a doctor who would be qualified to talk sh-t about the past chairwoman of the Federation of State medical Boards and the current Surgeon General of the United States.
HAS SOMEONE GIVEN MY IDENTITY AWAY??? HOW DID YOU KNOW I AM AT LEAST A DOCTOR? - Reply to this comment
- Hey, all this jive talk about Benjamin's bodacious booty is just whack, man!
I mean, what's more important, being all healthy and all that, or having a big, lumpy booty like men want to see.
Gimme a break!
Y'all just a bunch of racist white trash NASCAR bigots! - Reply to this comment
- Just an observation here but over the last few minths I have noted that anyone considered for a post in this administration is immedaitely tagged a socialist bigot by the right while at the same time the left continues to paint conservatives as a blight that must be destryed. Neither is the case.
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- While on paper her credentials are impressive, it is quite disconcerting, in the grand scheme of things, to have someone nominated from a state trailing only Mississippi for the highest obesity rate. Further, this doctor, herself, is obese. Obesity is the greatest cause of preventable illness and the greatest contributor to our soaring health care costs. This is concerning, truly concerning for someone in public health.
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- Looks like after Geithner, Obama just can't find any qualified white males to appoint.
You just can't trust them white guys. They're always cheatin on their taxes. Look at Madoff, he's white. What more proof do you need?
Or, was Geithner just the token white guy in Obama's all-minority administration. - Reply to this comment
- A confessed Republican here:
She seems like a fine choice. Her background matches BO's agenda and I can't fault him for that. All indications are that she's selfless and involved.
I'm getting weary of all the racial connotations assigned to anything BO does...give it a rest. - Reply to this comment
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- Yah, and that 90% of blacks who voted for Obama, no racism there huh.
Obama nation!
yah, she matches Obama's agenda - to appoint only minorities and women.
- by darthcheney345 July 13, 2009 12:04 PM PDT
Yah, and that 90% of blacks who voted for Obama, no racism there huh.......
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Once again you don't listen to anyone but Rush and the Fox News gang. I see that you're typing so I'll make the assumption that you can read as well. At least give it a try. It is well documented that Black voters generally vote for Democratic presidential candidates and have done so for at least the past 35-40 years. The numbers are generally between 80-90% of black voters. President Obama picked up a lot of voters from demographics that typically vote republican (why do you think there's all of the talk about the decline of the GOP). Besides Black Americans make up less than 15% of the population so he could have had every black vote and he still would have need a heck of a lot of white votes to win.
Such a shame that people refuse to look at facts and aknowledge that many Americans of all races chose him over Senator McCain.
- by bigmo47 July 13, 2009 12:19 PM PDT
It is well documented that Black voters generally vote for Democratic presidential candidates and have done so for at least the past 35-40 years. The numbers are generally between 80-90% of black voters.
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Really? Can you post a link to those "well documented" statistics???
- by darthcheney345 July 13, 2009 12:44 PM PDT
Really? Can you post a link to those "well documented" statistics???
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Here you go!!! Yeah I said for the bast 35-40 years. Actually, black voters having been voting for democrats since the 1930's!!!
http://www.factcheck.org/askfactcheck/when_did_blacks_start_voting_democratic.html
- LOL! You should have vetted your own "documentation" better.
It says right in the text - Democrats got LESS than 80% of the black vote until Johnson, who passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Then OF COURSE he got more than 90% of the black vote.
So there it is. Blacks voted for racially motivated reasons all the way back to the 1960's.
Thanks for proving my point.
- darthcheney345 - If the world were fair, God would bring you back as a black man in 1950s Georgia. You really need to get an education before you talk about anything. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 has helped EVERY minority including women. One group that has benefitted from it also have been Asian Americans who were denied access to America in large numbers before it passed.
If anything was racially charged, it was the people who fought to prevent it from passing. And, almost all of those people have become REPUBLICANS!
- Yah, and that 90% of blacks who voted for Obama, no racism there huh.
- Remember the debacle during the Clinton years when a woman black Surgeon General, Dr. Jocelyn Elders, caused a furor over some of her ideas for the nation's health? Presumably she was "fired" by Clinton. She was a real idiot. Visit http://www.actupny.org/reports/elders.html, or do a search on this. I do agree with some of the posts condemning this nominee because of her obesity. What type of role model is she for the nation and especially the growing numbers of obese kids? Obviously, Obama was colorblind in considering this fact.
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- In black culture, obesity is considered physically attractive by many men.
Especially obesity in the posterior region, if you know what I mean.
- by credibility2 July 13, 2009 11:39 AM PDT
Remember the debacle during the Clinton years when a woman black Surgeon General, Dr. Jocelyn Elders,
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Yeah, She was real idiot, Getting everyone's attention about the AIDS epidemic that was sweeping the World to include the United States. God forbid we talk about safe sex with children even if it may save their lives. What vile creatures actually think that masturbation is a part of human sexuality. I'm sure none the good people on this blog have ever engaged in this devilish behavior. Oh and on top of that as a black female, you know she could not possibly have a clue about medical issues. I don't care if she did join the Army after college and serve her country, become the first board certified pediatric endocrinologist in the State of Arkasas, and was the head of the Arkasas' Health System. We know that was all affirmative action!!!
You sir, are an idiot!!
- In black culture, obesity is considered physically attractive by many men.
- I thought we got rid of that position after the crazy people from Arkansas left office? The job has nothing to do with health. It is a political appointment that gives her (and her staff) free money to buy a big house in Maryland. If she's smart, she'll get a membership at a gym and prevent diabetes from consuming her organs.
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- Did she pay her taxes, seems you have to be a tax crook to get in with this gang of bandits. I am sure Turbo Timmy is checking on that.
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- Cool. It is nice to someone who does good be rewarded...very refreshing, after years of watching Republicans get filthy rich by hurting others.
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- by impeachbhb July 13, 2009 11:18 AM PDT
Obama is rewarding her. He is going to allow her to finish medical school during her off hours
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Very Insightful. Maybe you can help her finish. I'm sure you are at least a doctor who would be qualified to talk sh-t about the past chairwoman of the Federation of State medical Boards and the current Surgeon General of the United States.
- Steve, Steve, Steve:
The last time I looked, there were few poor Democrats on the hill or any public office ANYWHERE. They have rode the coattails of corporate America far more than any other segment of society. A great majority of both parties on the hill are wealthier than most Americans will ever be. So get down off your high pony, and GET REAL!
- "by impeachbhb July 13, 2009 11:18 AM PDT
Obama is rewarding her. He is going to allow her to finish medical school during her off hours."
Must drive you crazy that conservatives have voted for or elected the most unqualified individuals in the history of mankind with the new poster child being Sarah Palin. Seems you guys suffer from a severe case of PROJECTION.
Projection is a defense mechanism which occurs when a person's own unacceptable or threatening feelings are repressed and then attributed to someone else.
- by John_Merritt July 13, 2009 12:56 PM PDT
John, John, John - Corporations need cheap (and sometimes free) labor. Haven't you heard? Slavery was one example of it. The poor have not rode on anyone's coattails. They have sewn and ironed and folded the coattails of many for pennies.
- Hey What I Think:
Read it once, if you do not understand read it again.
'few poor Democrats on the hill or any public office ANYWHERE'.
Democrats on THE HILL or ANY PUBLIC OFFICE ANYWHERE have all benefitted from capitalisim in one way or another. It is just that it took them longer for whatever reason. Maybe it was lack of opportunity, maybe it was due to lack of education, maybe it was due to the lack of greed. But they have all benefitted.
It doesn't matter, when opportunity knocks at every persons door it does not matter if you answer it. However, it is who you allow through the door that determines which side of the street you will walk from that day forward.
There is not a Democrat on the hill that is guiltless brother. No, not one. Everyone, Both Republicans and Democrats will benefit for the rest of their life at the taxpayers expense. Look at their benefits packages.
Once someone steps into a gilded territory, they can expect their life to change forever. Many of us will ever know what that feels like, but fot those who have tasted the fruits they don't ever want to go back to the way the lived before. Have a good day.
- The words Democrat or Republican have very little meaning to me. I am more concerned about progressive versus conservative. The conservatives have historically wanted to prevent our country from achieving its full potential. The progressives have fought all the time to make sure we live up to that potential. Conservatives use wedge issues (race, sexual orientation, abortion) to get people to vote against themselves.
- by impeachbhb July 13, 2009 11:18 AM PDT
- Typical comments from racist idiots!
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- You mean, comments like "a Latino woman makes better decisions than a smelly grungy creepy sleazy white male?"
Or the 90% of black voters who voted for Obama?
Face it, we live in a racist nation. Obama nation!
What new revelation will surface about Benjamin?
Obungler will get spanked again.
- You mean, comments like "a Latino woman makes better decisions than a smelly grungy creepy sleazy white male?"
- I'm assuming this is a nod to the "blacks" of Alabama? Does she get the same salary as the CZARS that Obama has appointed? I mean; CAN WE USE ANYMORE STIMULUS MONIES TO PLAY POLITICS AND PAY OFF THOSE THAT WE NEED TO WIN A SECOND TERM IF WE DON'T GET FOUND TO BE A FRAUD IN OUR FIRST TERM? HMMM dirty game going on in Washington, D.C.
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- It isn't a "nod." IT IS OUTRIGHT RACISM.
Obama fully intends to nominate no one but blacks, Latinos, and women for all his appointments.
Geithner was just the token white guy to appease the white voters.
Notice how you haven't seen many other white males since then.
- It isn't a "nod." IT IS OUTRIGHT RACISM.
- I don't understand why the President would appoint someone to this position who is overweight when obesity is continually names as the single greatest health issue in the country. Shouldn't he appoint someone who is responsible enough to manage their own weight?
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- That is the most moronic statement I've heard so far. To advocate discrimination against someone due to their appearance for this type of position, especially with this nominee's qualifications, is the ultimate form of discrimination and utter stupidity!
- No, it's perfectly logical - something that eludes you liberals.
How can she manage the health of the nation, when she can't manage her own health?
- I concur. I do not have overweight physicians for my family or me. It is insane to have someone who obviously has health issues to direct the health of a nation. It is insane for someone obese to tell me I should control certain behaviors when that person clearly is incapable or unwilling to do the same.
- Oly:
Maybe she is just a 'big boned woman (BBW)'. Seriously, I don't care if she looks like Hulk Hogan, if she can do the job than have at it. She can't be any less effective than most we have had in that position. Isn't that their credo 'do no harm?'
- You forgot Asian Americans. He's nominate more Asian Americans than any other president in history. LOL! The time has come.
- If you think this woman is obese, you aren't living in America. She's not even close. Are you French?
- He's nominate more Asian Americans than any other president in history.
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We'll see if that comes true, because it will be a true test to see how racist Obama really is.
Traditionally, blacks and Asians hate each other.
If Obama starts picking a large number of Asians, it would help resore my faith that he is choosing individuals in a fair and unbiased way.
But so far - how many Asians has he picked?
- Let's hope she had nothing to do with the hospitals of Alabama. Recently a periodical I read said that of the three worst hopitals, two were in Alabama.
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