Dr. Herbert C. Smitherman Jr., assistant dean of Community and Urban Health and assistant professor of the Department of Medicine for the Wayne State University School of Medicine, has been recommended by a Detroit congressman as the next U.S. surgeon general.
U.S. Rep. John Conyers has submitted a letter recommending Dr. Smitherman be named the highest health official in the nation to President-elect Barack Obama's transition team.
"I was called on Nov. 5 by Congressman Conyers, who asked me if he could forward my name to the Obama-Biden transition team recommending me for U.S. surgeon general," confirmed Smitherman, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.P. "I indicated that I was honored to be considered for such a recommendation by his office."
Rep. Conyers followed up with a subsequent meeting with Dr. Smitherman, and then submitted the recommendation in writing to the Obama team.
Rep. Conyers wrote that his recommendation of Smitherman was inspired by his "personal and professional commitment to serving (his) community, state and nation."
"Your integrity, academic excellence, health policy leadership, as well as your intellectual interests and career pursuits have supplemented your commitment to finding solutions for providing health care services to the uninsured and underinsured," Rep. Conyers added in a letter to Dr. Smitherman.
The Conyers recommendation was quickly followed up by support from Gov. Jennifer Granholm.
Dr. Smitherman "is an informed and engaged advocate for affordable and preventative health care services and has been involved in crafting effective health policy in this state and sharing his experiences nationwide," Gov. Granholm wrote to the Obama transition team. He has helped "lead the expansion of federally qualified health centers, including Health Centers Detroit, which he leads as president and CEO. He has also written a book ("Taking Care of the Uninsured: A Path to Reform") that articulates a successful community health model for care of the uninsured and underinsured."
Robert M. Mentzer Jr., M.D., dean of the School of Medicine and senior advisor to the president on Medical Affairs, said such national recognition speaks highly of Dr. Smitherman's efforts and one of the school's stated missions of providing care to the community.
"Dr. Smitherman not only exemplifies that part of our mission, he lives it daily," said Dean Mentzer. "His work in the community on behalf of the School of Medicine shows that commitment and a focused effort can truly make a difference in providing health care for underserved populations. If he is appointed surgeon general, I can assure you that goal will remain at the top of his priority list."
Dr. Smitherman, who this year received the School of Medicine's Trailblazer Award for substantial contributions, courage, initiative, innovation, risk-taking and leadership, said that if he is offered the position he will accept, but maintain his Wayne State University appointment.
"It is a critical position, especially on the eve of president-elect Obama's broad agenda for U.S. health care reform," said Dr. Smitherman, 48. "My focus for the past 22 years here at Wayne State University has been twofold: that of creatively improving coverage and organizing delivery systems toward improved access to care for vulnerable populations and increasing the health status of my community. The U.S. Surgeon General role would be an opportunity to do this for my country."
Dr. Smitherman has spent the past 22 years working with diverse communities in Detroit to develop urban-based primary-care delivery systems that integrate the health and social goals and concerns of the community. He has been successful establishing and working with best-practice models that have community participation and collaboration as the key element in creating sustainable primary care programs. Early results suggest that generating a sense of community ownership may lead to healthier communities overall.