Dr. Regina Benjamin will have a new role in the nation's capitol
(BAYOU LA BATRE, Ala.) Oct. 30 - Dr. Regina Benjamin is headed back to the Gulf Coast with a new title: U.S. Surgeon General. The Bayou La Batre physician was confirmed in Washington late Thursday.
Construction crews are still working on her new clinic in Bayou La Batre. A clinic that represents a new beginning for the services Benjamin provides to the community. But, she won't be spending a lot of time in Bayou La Batre, because as U.S. surgeon general, she will spend most of her time in Washington. And, Washington is a long way from Bayou La Batre, and Benjamin's home town: Daphne, Ala.
Her rural, family practice helps a town of hard-working, blue-collar families. And her perseverance through hurricanes and other disasters, has not gone unnoticed by Bayou residents.
"I think she's gifted in so many ways. I think it would be fantastic for her," Jennifer Stork says. Stork helps run The Lighthouse, a favorite place for seafood lovers on the Bayou.
Stork says Benjamin's nomination is something the community can be proud of, because it says something about Bayou La Batre. "It gives all of these kids around here, these teenagers and young adults the incentive to grow up and say, I can do this, too."
Alma Bryant High School seniors Casi Foutz and Kaitlin Johnson are college bound, and they say Benjamin's achievements set an important example for people from the area.
"But, I've never been the one that wanted to do that," Foutz says. "I wanted to be the one that succeeds in everything so I can show people I'm from the bayou, and I can still do it."
Benjamin's clinic is scheduled to open around Christmas. By that time, she should be well into her new job as surgeon general.
