Chicago neurosurgeon being considered for U.S. Surgeon General
December 10, 2008
By Bruce Japsen
Tribune staff reporter
3:12 PM CST, December 9, 2008
Chicago neurosurgeon Gail Rosseau, an early supporter of President-elect Barack Obama, is being considered to be the next U.S. Surgeon General, according to sources close to the talks.
Rosseau, 52, of west suburban River Forest is one of only 300 female neurosurgeons nationwide and currently chief of surgery at the Neurologic & Orthopedic Hospital of Chicago and an assistant professor of neurosurgery at Rush University Medical Center, the giant teaching hospital on Chicago’s West Side. She has a daughter, 14, son, 12 and her husband is an othopedic surgeon.
The U.S. Surgeon General is a high-profile post and often seen as an administration’s bully pulpit when it comes to health issues that range from combating obesity to curtailing smoking. Rosseau has been quoted widely and been published on topics related to neurosurgery and women’s health issues, evaluating ways to boost the number of women in medicine and address looming doctors in a variety of medical fields. She is also unique in that she is both a medical doctor and a registered nurse.
It’s unclear whether other candidates were being considered. A spokeswoman with Obama’s transition team had no comment.
The medical community, however, cheered the possibility of Rosseau rising to become one of the nation’s top public health advocates.
“She is a trailblazing neurosurgeon who is very committed to her profession, healthy lifestyles, disease and trauma prevention and the health of the public,” said Dr. Nancy Nielsen, the president of the American Medical Association. “I know her well, and she is also a terrific person and role model.”
When reached this afternoon for comment, Dr. Rosseau said it was “early in the (vetting) process.” She said she was “delighted she is being considered and would be willing to serve President-elect Obama’s administration in any way he feels that she could be of use.”
At Rush, her colleagues were thrilled. “We are proud that a member of the Rush University Medical Center faculty is being considered for this national position,” said Dr. Thomas A. Deutsch, dean, Rush Medical College, senior vice president, medical affairs, Rush University Medical Center.
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