Former FAMU trustee nominated as U.S. Surgeon General

By Angeline J. Taylor
Democrat Staff Writer  

Rev. R.B. Holmes Jr., couldn’t deny the excitement in his voice this afternoon after hearing about U.S. President Barack Obama’s nominee for surgeon general.

Obama’s pick, Dr. Regina Benjamin, was appointed by former Gov. Jeb Bush in 2001 to be one of Florida A&M’s first trustees along with Holmes — who currently serves as trustee vice chairman for the university.

Holmes, pastor of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, described Benjamin as a “beautiful person” who as a trustee was caring, competent and very capable. He said he could rely on her to give honest dialogue and direction. Her trustee term ended in 2007.

“This is huge for the FAMU community but most important for the whole country,” Holmes said.

He explained that Benjamin will focus on “healthcare for all people.”

Her resume appears to reflect that same sentiment. Benjamin has emerged as a national leader to improve health disparities, pushed by the need in her own fishing community of Bayou LaBatre, Ala., and its diverse patient mix – where immigrants from Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos make up a growing part of the population.

“She seemed to be very even handed. She was open and attended all the board meetings,” said former FAMU employee Pat Tucker.

Tucker said she was happy to see that Obama selected someone with rural health experience. It was just a decade ago that the New York Times called Benjamin, “angel in a white coat,” a country doctor who made house calls along the impoverished Gulf Coast.

Benjamin’s nonprofit clinic was rebuilt by volunteers after being destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, only to burn down months later. Benjamin later told of her patients’ desperation that she rebuild again, recalling one woman who handed her an envelope with a $7 donation to help.

Benjamin became the first black woman and the youngest doctor elected to the American Medical Association’s board. She also received the Nelson Mandela Award for Health and Human Rights in 1998, and Pope Benedict XVI awarded her the distinguished service medal Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice. Her nomination for surgeon general requires Senate confirmation.

Associated Press contributed to this report.