The New York Times is reporting that President Obama has chosen Dr. Regina Benjamin of Alabama as the nation's Surgeon General.

An African-American, Dr. Benjamin is nationally known for establishing a rural health clinic in Bayou La Batre, Ala. -- a small, medically underserved shrimping village along the Gulf Coast. Hurricana Katrina destroyed the clinic in 2005, and then when it was rebuilt, the clinic burned down on the eve of re-opening.

In 2002, she became the president of the Alabama Medical Association, making her the first African-American woman to be president of a state medical society in the United States. In September, she was one of 25 recipients of the $500,000 "genius awards," awarded by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

She completed her residency in family medicine at the Medical Center of Central Georgia. She is a graduate of Xavier University, Morehouse School of Medicine and the University of Alabama School of Medicine.

It is a wise choice that will highlight the obstacles faced by health care providers and patients in rural areas. Rural areas are often underserved.

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After Sanjay Gupta dropped out of consideration for Surgeon General, attention quickly turned to the esteemed Dr. Dean (well, after Dr. Spaceman, of course.) I'm glad to see the hope that Howard Dean could still have a spot in the Obama administration may still be alive.

Dean, who recently wrapped up a four-year term as Democratic Party chairman, has been a supporter of health reform, and has privately made clear that he is interested in the job, according to the cable network.

CNN said two White House officials noted that, while it is too early to compile a list of candidates for surgeon general, they did not rule out Dean getting the job.

"I would not dismiss it," one of the White House officials said of the possibility that Dean will be selected.

Yeeeeearghhhhh!

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By Lindsay Beyerstein, TMC MediaWire blogger.

2009 already is shaping up to be a year of surprises. Yesterday, we learned that America's favorite TV doctor, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, will likely be the next Surgeon General of the United States.

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