Joycelyn Elders
American pediatrician, public health administrator, and former Surgeon General of the United States / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Minnie Joycelyn Elders (born Minnie Lee Jones; August 13, 1933) is an American pediatrician and public health administrator.
Quick Facts 15th Surgeon General of the United States, President ...
Joycelyn Elders | |
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15th Surgeon General of the United States | |
In office September 8, 1993 ā December 31, 1994 | |
President | Bill Clinton |
Preceded by | Robert A. Whitney (acting) |
Succeeded by | Audrey F. Manley (acting) |
Personal details | |
Born | Minnie Lee Jones (1933-08-13) August 13, 1933 (age 90) Howard County, Arkansas, U.S. |
Political party | Democratic |
Military service | |
Branch/service | Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, United States Army |
Years of service | USA: 1953ā1956 |
Rank | USPHS: Vice Admiral |
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Elders was a vice admiral in the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and the first African American appointed as Surgeon General of the United States. Elders is best known for her frank discussion of her views on controversial issues such as drug legalization and distributing contraception in schools.[1] She was forced to resign in December 1994 amidst controversy as a result of her views. She is currently a professor emerita of pediatrics at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.