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Obama Chooses Alabama Doc for Surgeon General

Benjamin gained fame by rebuilding clinic after Hurricane Katrina

By the Associated Press

Posted Jul 13, 2009 10:50 AM CDT

(AP) – President Barack Obama turned to the Deep South for the next surgeon general, a rural Alabama family physician who made headlines with fierce determination to rebuild her nonprofit medical clinic in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Obama will announce the nomination of Dr. Regina Benjamin later today. Born in 1956, Benjamin is the first black woman and the youngest doctor ever elected to the AMA's board, and has a reputation as a tireless advocate for the underprivileged.

A decade ago, the New York Times called her "angel in a white coat," a country doctor who made house calls along the impoverished Gulf Coast, and charged whatever her patients could scrounge. Her nonprofit clinic was rebuilt by volunteers after being destroyed by Katrina, only to burn down months later. She's been busy rebuilding it again.

Dr. Regina Benjamin poses for a portrait in the waiting room at her temporary clinic in Bayou La Batre, Ala., Sept.18, 2008. (Bill Starling)

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Obama Chooses Alabama Doc for Surgeon General

Benjamin gained fame by rebuilding clinic after Hurricane Katrina

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Barack Obama • Surgeon General • Obama administration • Regina Benjamin

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

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More Newser Stories

Obama, Others Won't Return Ponzi Cash

Receiver wants the $1.8M Allen Stanford gave to politicians

Chinese VP Arrives in Washington

Xi Jinping, China's next president, to meet with Obama

Detroit Bust Would've Been Better Than Bailout

Ex-Prez Bush says bailout his idea, and a good one

Obama Unveils $3.8T Budget, Targets Rich

Budget would institute 'Buffett Rule,' boost infrastructure

GE Hiring Thousands of US Veterans

Firm to invest $580K in aviation plants amid effort to reboot economy

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Newser By Users

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