Four years is enough: U.S. Surgeon General Regina M. Benjamin said she is leaving her post, effective in July.
Deputy Surgeon General Boris Lushniak will step into the position on an interim basis, CNN reported.
“My goal was to create a grassroots movement, to change our health care system from one focused on sickness and disease to a system focused on wellness and prevention,” she said in a statement reported by CNN. “With your help, that movement has begun.”
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius sent around an email to staff commending Dr. Benjamin on her years of service.
“Regina has served as America’s doctor since 2009 and has impacted the health and lives of Americans across the country. I am deeply grateful for her leadership,” she wrote, as CNN reported.
Dr. Benjamin was the first black woman to be a board member of the American Medical Association. As surgeon general, she also chaired the National Prevention, Heath Promotion and Public Health Council — a creation of “Obamacare” to develop a strategy that would speed and improve patients’ access to health care.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.