Dr. Benjamin is now the "Top Doc"

BAYOU LA BATRE, Ala. - It's official. Bayou La Batre physician Dr. Regina Benjamin is our nation's "Top Doc."

Her confirmation as Surgeon General took place during a voice vote in the Senate Thursday night. People in the Bayou couldn't be happier. From Bayou La Batre, all the way to Washington D.C., the Senate confirmed Dr. Regina Benjamin to be the United States Surgeon General.

But the well known family physician will be missed in the small fishing community in South Mobile County.

Dr. Benjamin's clinic cares for more than 4,000 people. People who say without her clinic, they might not ever see a doctor.

Two of Dr. Benjamin's pateints are Dorothy Henson and her husband Edward. Dorothy says Dr. Benjamin cared for her mother who died of lung cancer.

"The last time she was sick, Doctor Benjamin visited her in the hospital," said Dorothy Henson.

Henson lost her mother just this month, and tears up talking about her. Henson said Dr. Benjamin was "a good doctor."

The Henson's have been patients of Doctor Benjamin's for years. The clinic opened in 1987.

Edward Henson said Doctor Benjamin is a caring physician, who makes sure her patients needs are met. Henson said he is proud of the doctor, and thinks she will do a good job.

This isn't Dr. Benjamin's first time in the spotlight. She made headlines in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, with her determination to rebuild her rural health clinic.

It's a clinic the Hensons are looking forward to.

Just last fall, Doctor Benjamin received a MacArthur Foundation "Genius Grant".