Obama’s Choice For Surgeon General Tells Him To Take A Hike
Mar 5, 2009 3 Comments ›› Pat Dollard
Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN’s chief medical correspondent, has withdrawn his name from consideration as surgeon general of the United States, an administration official said Thursday.
“Sanjay Gupta was under serious consideration for the job of surgeon general,” the official said in an e-mail. “He has removed himself from consideration to focus more on his medical career and his family. We know he will continue to serve and educate the public through his work with media and in the medical arena.”
Sources said in January that Gupta met then-President-elect Obama in Chicago, Illinois, in November to discuss the post. Gupta has declined comment.
The transition team was impressed with the combination of Gupta’s past government experience, as a White House fellow in 1997 and a special adviser to then-first lady Hillary Clinton, along with his medical career as a neurosurgeon and his communication skills, the transition source said.
Gupta is a member of the staff and faculty of the Department of Neurosurgery at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. He regularly performs surgery at Emory University Hospital and at Grady Memorial Hospital, where he serves as associate chief of neurosurgery.
Gupta joined CNN in 2001. As chief medical correspondent for the health and medical unit, he is a lead reporter on breaking medical news, provides regular health and medical updates for “American Morning,” anchors the half-hour weekend medical affairs program “House Call with Dr. Sanjay Gupta” and reports for CNN documentaries.
Based in Atlanta, Gupta also contributes health stories to CNN.com, co-hosts “Accent Health” for Turner Private Networks, provides medical segments for the syndicated version of “ER” on TNT and writes a column for Time magazine. He also anchors the global health program “Vital Signs” for CNN International and is featured in a weekly podcast on health issues called “Paging Dr. Gupta.”
Just after joining CNN, Gupta became part of the team covering the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on New York and Washington. Later that year, he led breaking news reporting on a series of anthrax attacks.
In 2003, Gupta reported from Iraq and Kuwait as an embedded correspondent with the U.S. Navy’s medical unit — and worked alongside them, performing brain surgery five times.
In addition, Gupta reported from Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the tsunami that swept the region in December 2004. He also helped cover the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina from New Orleans, Louisiana, in 2005.
He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and his medical degree from the University of Michigan Medical Center
