Benjamin's bayou clinic to continue on

BAYOU LA BATRE, Ala. (AP) - The Bayou La Batre clinic that was founded by surgeon general nominee Dr. Regina Benjamin will continue on while she serves as the nation's top doctor.

Clinic officials said the nonprofit health care provider will continue to treat patients and hopefully expand into a new, bigger building.

President Barack Obama selected Benjamin on July 13.

Democratic state Rep. Joseph Mitchell of Mobile is the clinic's board chairman. He said board members are certain that the clinic will keep going.

The 52-year-old Benjamin founded the Bayou La Batre Rural Health Clinic in 1990. It now serves an estimated 4,500 patients, many of whom live on limited incomes and without health insurance.

Mitchell said they still need an estimated $2 million to finish building and move into a new 8,000-square foot clinic.