The Gupta is In. And Oz is Out.
The appointment of Dr. Sanjay Gupta to Surgeon General is a wise one. The role is largely about communication: he will be the leading spokesperson on matters of public health. Gupta is a master communicator -- clear, concise and always sympathetic. And of course he is a real doctor, still practicing today. (Read my review of Planet in Peril 2 here.)
It also represents the end of a long - and sometimes brutal - rivalry between Gupta and Dr. Mehmet Oz. (Oprah is said to be furious at the rebuff of her candidate.) Ironically it was the "heart" of Neurosurgeon Gupta that won out over the too cool and brainy Cardiac Surgeon Oz.
Dr. Oz is expected to concede defeat sometime today. Waiting any longer would be perceived as divisive. Surely he recognizes that marshaling fans of both men behind the rightfully appointed SG is the American thing to do.
President-elect Obama takes office in just 13 days and there are still appointments to be made.
The appointment of Dr. Sanjay Gupta to Surgeon General is a wise one. The role is largely about communication: he will be the leading spokesperson on matters of public health. Gupta is a master communicator -- clear, concise and always sympathetic. And of course he is a real doctor, still practicing today. (Read my review of Planet in Peril 2 here.)
It also represents the end of a long - and sometimes brutal - rivalry between Gupta and Dr. Mehmet Oz. (Oprah is said to be furious at the rebuff of her candidate.) Ironically it was the "heart" of Neurosurgeon Gupta that won out over the too cool and brainy Cardiac Surgeon Oz.
Dr. Oz is expected to concede defeat sometime today. Waiting any longer would be perceived as divisive. Surely he recognizes that marshaling fans of both men behind the rightfully appointed SG is the American thing to do.
President-elect Obama takes office in just 13 days and there are still appointments to be made.
