Former U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin has been named to the board of directors of PDI, a Woodcliff Lake-based company that is a global leader in infection prevention products and solutions.
PDI CEO Zachary Julius said Benjamin’s vast experience in promoting and protecting the health of individuals, and the nation, will help advance PDI’s industry-leading infection prevention solutions to address public health needs.
“We are proud to welcome Dr. Regina Benjamin to our board of directors, particularly during this time, when PDI continues to play a critical role in supplying essential cleaning and disinfecting products and technology solutions to help protect lives worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said. “As PDI evolves and expands, Dr. Benjamin’s career in public health service and expertise as a physician will be invaluable in helping us to successfully execute our long-term strategic growth plans.”
Benjamin served as the 18th U.S. surgeon general, under President Barack Obama, from 2009-2013. She was also chair of the National Prevention Council, composed of 17 cabinet-level heads of federal agencies that released the first-ever National Prevention Strategy, whose goal was to change our health care system from one based on sickness and disease, to one of wellness and prevention.
Benjamin attended the Morehouse School of Medicine, obtained her MD from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and an MBA from Tulane University. She serves on several corporate boards, including two publicly traded health care companies.
As a family physician, and founder of Bayou La Batre Rural Health Clinic, she is one of the nation’s leading voices on population and preventive health issues.
“I am honored to be joining the board of this innovative, family-owned organization that has been at the forefront of infection prevention for decades,” she said. “Amid this current public health crisis, there is an even greater need to keep communities safe and protected. I look forward to partnering with PDI board members and management to advance their pursuit to ‘Be the Difference’ by promoting health and wellness and saving lives.”
Benjamin’s appointment follows the announcement of Jody Hatcher and Filippo Passerini joining the board of directors in June and brings the PDI total board membership to eight.
