For Immediate Release:
July 14, 2009
Brooke Braun
American Academy of Physician Assistants
703-836-2272 ext. 3502
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
American Academy of Physician Assistants Commends Nomination of Dr. Regina Benjamin for Surgeon General
WASHINGTON - The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), representing 75,000 clinically practicing physician assistants (PAs) in the United States, applauds President Obama’s nomination of Dr. Regina Benjamin for surgeon general. Benjamin, a family practice doctor, has spent most of her career serving patients at a rural health clinic in Bayou La Batre, Ala.
In addition to her work with the underserved in Ala., Benjamin has long demonstrated support and understanding of PA profession. Currently, she employs and works closely with a PA and AAPA member at the La Batre Rural Health Clinic. Most recently, Benjamin was featured as a keynote speaker at a February 2009 AAPA conference for constituent organization leaders during her tenure as Chair of the Federation of State Medical Boards in 2008-2009. She spoke about the physician-PA team, the important roles of professional organizations working together, the initiatives of the Federation that were important to PAs and PA practice, and the work to be done by all health professionals to assure access to care and the elimination of disparities of all kinds.
“Dr. Benjamin has shown a career-long commitment to primary care, team practice, and caring for the underserved,” said AAPA President Stephen Hanson. “As surgeon general, she will bring a fresh perspective to the delivery of health care in this country that very closely allies with the policies and philosophies of the PA profession.”
Benjamin also has received numerous accolades throughout her career. In 1995, she was elected to the American Medical Association Board of Trustees as the first elected physician under the age of 40 and the first elected African-American woman. In 2002, she was became president of the Medical Association State of Alabama, making her the first African-American female president of a state medical society in the United States.
Throughout her entire career, Benjamin has championed efforts to eliminate health disparities and preventable illness. La Batre Rural Health Clinic serves a population of about 2,500, many of whom do not have health insurance. Since founding the clinic in 1990, Benjamin has worked to rebuild it three times: after it was devastated by Hurricane George, Hurricane Katrina, and most recently, a fire.
“Dr. Benjamin is an inspiration,” Hanson said. “We look forward to working with her to ensure the 75,000 PAs who stand ready to deliver accessible, quality and affordable health care across the country are utilized to their fullest potential in meeting the needs of all Americans.”
###
The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) is the only national professional association that represents PAs across all medical and surgical specialties in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, the armed forces and federal services. Founded in 1968, AAPA works to increase the professional and personal growth of the entire PA workforce by providing comprehensive support and advocacy for physician assistants so that they may, in turn, provide patients with increased access to quality, cost-effective health care. Learn more at www.aapa.org.
