Regina Benjamin, U.S. Surgeon General, will step down after four years.
Benjamin, who was appointed to the position by President Barack Obama, supervised 6,500 uniformed public health officers and took the health of America into her hands, reported Medical Daily.
Benjamin took on the obesity epidemic in America, which is thought to be on par with the cigarette-smoking crisis. Benjamin was criticized during her time as Surgeon General for being overweight.
"I leave next month confident we created a more healthy & fit nation," Benjamin said in an email to her staff.
Benjamin is an esteemed family medicine physician and MBA degree-holder, the state of Alabama is currently looking at her as a possible congresswoman candidate.
Until a new surgeon general is appointed, Deputy Surgeon General Boris Lushniak, who has served on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as, the Food and Drug Administration will oversee the duties.
A few months before Benjamin was appointed Surgeon General, Sanjay Gupta, a neurosurgeon and health correspondent for CNN, withdrew his name from consideration. There are vague rumors he may once again be a candidate.
Benjamin was the first African American woman to be appointed Surgeon General, she recently won a MacArthur Foundation "genius award" along with 24 others.
"She has served as America's doctor since 2009 and has impacted the health and lives of Americans across the country. We are grateful for her leadership and service," said Health and Human Services spokeswoman Dori Salcido.
Benjamin based her medical philosophy on "wellness and preventive treatment", according to CNN.
"My goal was to create a grassroots movement, to change our health care system from one focused on sickness and disease to a system focused on wellness and prevention. With your help, that movement has begun," wrote Benjamin.
U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius has said she's proud of everything Benjamin accomplished during her time in office.
"Regina has served as America's doctor since 2009 and has impacted the health and lives of Americans across the country. I am deeply grateful for her leadership and service," wrote Sebelius. "The Surgeon General's road to prevention has touched the lives of millions of Americans and has had a positive impact on the health of this Nation."
