Regina Benjamin

Regina Benjamin, MD, MBA is the Endowed Chair in Public Health Sciences at Xavier University of Louisiana and former 18th United States Surgeon General (2009-2013). She founded BayouClinic, a rural health clinic in Alabama, and leads prevention-focused initiatives addressing obesity, mental health, and health disparities. She chairs the National Prevention Council and advises boards of Kaiser Hospitals, Ascension Health Alliance, and the American Heart Association.

• Education: B.S. Chemistry (Xavier University), MD (University of Alabama at Birmingham), MBA (Tulane University)
• Affiliations: Institute of Medicine Member, American Academy of Family Physicians Fellow, Kellogg National Fellow

Her research interests center on population health strategies, rural healthcare access, and reducing socio-economic health disparities. She has received 30 honorary degrees and global recognitions for her advocacy in health equity.

• Awards: MacArthur Fellowship, NAACP Image Award, Mandela Award

Dr. Benjamin’s advisory roles span federal agencies, non-profits, and Fortune 500 companies. She has directed over $5M in grants for community health initiatives and co-authored policies for the National Prevention Strategy.