Georges C. Benjamin, MD, is well known in the world of public health as a leader, practitioner and administrator. Benjamin has been the executive director of the American Public Health Association (APHA), the nation's oldest and largest organization of public health professionals, since December 2002. He came to that post from his position as secretary of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, where he played a key role developing Maryland's bioterrorism plan. Benjamin became secretary of the Maryland health department in April 1999, following four years as its deputy secretary for public health services. As Secretary, Dr. Benjamin oversaw the expansion and improvement in the state’s Medicaid program.

Benjamin, of Gaithersburg, Md., is a graduate of the Illinois Institute of Technology and the University Of Illinois College Of Medicine. He is board-certified in internal medicine and a fellow of the American College of Physicians; he is also a Fellow Emeritus of the American College of Emergency Physicians.

At APHA, Benjamin also serves as the publisher of the nonprofit's monthly publication, The Nation's Health, the association's official newspaper, and The American Journal of Public Health, the professions premier scientific publication. He is the author of over 90 scientific articles and book chapters. Benjamin also serves on the boards of Research America, Partnership for Prevention and the Reagan-Udall Foundation. He is a member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies of Science.