Health expert to speak at 205th Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Commencement ceremony

U.S. Surgeon General and Vice Admiral Regina M. Benjamin - one of the world's leading experts on public health and a key player in the national debate on health care reform - will deliver the main address at the 205th Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Commencement on May 28.

Dr. Benjamin will receive an honorary degree, along with fellow honorands G. Wayne Clough, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, and  Samuel F. Heffner Jr.' 56, who recently retired from the Rensselaer Board of Trustees after 15 years as chairman and 33 years as a member.

As "America's Doctor," Dr. Benjamin plays a critical role in providing the American public with the best scientific information available on how to improve health. Since her appointment by President Barack Obama in 2009, Dr. Benjamin has been a forceful leader in the national effort to migrate the United States health care system from one focused on sick care to one targeting wellness and prevention of illness. She talked about the issue earlier this year at the Sixth Annual Employer Health, Human Capital and Wellness Congress.

When he nominated her in 2009, President Obama cited Dr. Benjamin's passion for providing health care to everyone, which began with her clinic in Alabama: "When people couldn't pay, she didn't charge them. When the clinic wasn't making money, she didn't take a salary for herself. When Hurricane Georges destroyed the clinic in 1998, she made house calls to all her patients while it was rebuilt," President Obama said. "When Hurricane Katrina destroyed it again and left most of her town homeless, she mortgaged her house and maxed out her credit cards to rebuild that clinic for a second time."

"In the course of her distinguished career, Dr. Benjamin has set an extraordinary example for health care professionals, becoming a role model for using advanced science and education in the service of one's community and those most in need," said Rensselaer President Shirley Ann Jackson. "We are pleased to have the opportunity to honor her and two other distinguished leaders. They will bring to our graduates and their families at Commencement noteworthy accomplishments in the diverse and critically important fields of science, health, history, higher education, and architecture.

"Leading the office of the Surgeon General involves not only making sure we all have the best health information available, but also promoting the highest standards for the 6,500 uniformed health officers who protect the health of American citizens," President Jackson said. "As the second decade of the 21st century unfolds, the issue of health care is critical to all of us. Therefore, it is important that among our leaders in this arena is someone who has raised the bar for service and dedication, delivering the best possible medical care despite challenging situations. We look forward to hearing from Dr. Benjamin."

The Commencement ceremony begins at 9:30 a.m. on May 28 at the East Campus Athletic Village on the Rensselaer campus.