18th Surgeon General returns to the Gulf Coast

16th September 2013   ·   0 Comments

By Whitney Gaston-Loyd
Contributing Writer

At a Friday morning press conference on the campus of Xavier University, former United States Surgeon General Regina Benjamin, MD, MBA announced she was returning home to the Gulf Coast as the first NOLA.com/Times Picayune Endowed Chair in Public Health Sciences.

For a student who began her college journey without any insight as to where it would take her, Benjamin has over-achieved, making significant strides in an area in which she is so passionate.

Her healthcare calling began in her years at local institution, Xavier University where she obtained a Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, pre-med. Subsequently, she re­ceived a medical doctorate degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, a Masters of Busi­ness Administration degree from Tulane University, was part of Morehouse School of Medicine’s second graduating class, and has received 22 honorary degrees from colleges and universities across the country.

Using her degrees for so much more than office decorations, one of her most noteworthy efforts is the founding of Bayou LaBatre Rural Health Clinic in the fishing village of Bayou LaBatre, Al.

Overcoming a flood of obstacles such as two hurricanes, including Katrina, and a devastating fire that ashed all post-Katrina rebuilding efforts just a day before the clinic’s reopening, Benjamin’s clinic has been essential in providing public health information and treatment to a community with too few resources.

In 2009, Benjamin was nominated by President Barack Obama for the position of Surgeon General and unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate later that year. As not only America’s Doctor, but also a highly ranked military officer, Benjamin had Admiral status over 6,700 uniformed public health officers who also worked purposefully to provide the public with the best scientific information on how to protect and promote good health among the American population. Though Benjamin resigned from her position as Surgeon General in July of this year, those four years were just stepping stones towards a greater vision she has for the condition of Public Health, especially concerning the Gulf Coast region.

“I stepped away from my position but not from my mission,” said Benjamin, “This endowed chair at Xavier provides an ideal platform from which I can broaden my mission of prevention and wellness.”

In Benjamin’s new role, she will review the Public Health curriculum at Xavier University, teach classes at the University and work closely with students and faculty to help mold the future leaders of public health. Her future plans also include cementing Xavier as a Public Health center with hopes of coordinating national and international conferences to be held at the University; the first endeavor being a celebratory conference of the 50th anniversary of the Surgeon General’s warning on cigarette packs.

Though she has never forgotten the Gulf Coast and its tremendous need for Public Healthcare, (Louisiana and Mississippi tied for 49 of 50 in the last year’s Health Rankings) Benjamin is ecstatic to be able to return to her roots and further her mission, emphasizing the importance of health and wellness through the community.

With her mother, father and brother dying from preventable diseases, Benjamin is a firm believer in the power of prevention and will continue to project that message to the masses.

“Health doesn’t just occur in the doctor’s office,” said Benjamin, “It’s important we get the community involved in their own healthcare. I am honored to be positioning at Xavier with a strong focus on the community.”

As a Catholic institution, Xavier’s ultimate mission is to create a more just and humane society by preparing its students for leadership and service.

Long-time instructor and member of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament Sister Grace Mary Flickinger expressed her gratitude and burgeoning sense of pride towards her former student, saying that she exemplified all the school and Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament could hope for from each graduate.

“The real purpose of Xavier is that our graduates will become leaders who will go out to help create a more just and humane society. Regina, you’ve done it and will continue to do it,” said Flickinger at Friday morning’s press conference. “We are so proud. Thank you very much.”

This article originally published in the September 16, 2013 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.