Better Health - Latest Comments in Sanjay Gupta As Surgeon General? Not So Fast

Re: Sanjay Gupta As Surgeon General? Not So Fast

LastoftheZucchiniFlowers — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 01:22:21 -0000

Sanjay may not have 'worn the uniform', but he performed at least four or five neurosurgical cases in forward deployed units in Iraq. I HAVE worn the uniform in the MC/USNR and having worn it know that it is not a patent endorsement of any SG candidate. Why are people worried about his 'automatic rate of Admiral'. He would (IF he takes the job) then be an officer in the US Public Health Service. He would engage young medical professionals in Government service and Public service. He is relevant and his good looks along with his youth and trustworthiness in the media makes him an ideal candidate. What is wrong with a good looking and relevant MD/neurosurgeon as the top doc? This does not mean he'll be Obama's personal physician. Quite the contrary. I hear a LOT of sour grapes and frank green eyed monsters posting here. Lacks gravitas? How? Have any of YOU deployed to the hot zone with the Marines and performed surgery while under fire? No, I thought not. Lots of military lifers are dead wood, just hanging around awaiting their rewards which may be expected after a long career in uniform. Trust me - it often works that way. C. Everett was a good man. So was Jocelyn. But look how she was eviscerated in the media. Sanjay will able to go toe to toe with media and has 'worn the uniform' in the most significant way - he's WORKED his profession FOR REAL. I hope he'll take the job, but I suspect we won't, valuing his personal freedoms far too much.

Re: Sanjay Gupta As Surgeon General? Not So Fast

judy davis — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 21:40:10 -0000

The misty eyed mom asks for the right to not vaccinate her kids. The media plays major backup to her story over and over. Public health is looking at a totally new GIG in keeping our kids safe. But we don't need a ROCK STAR.There are thousands out there so able/ready/honest to do this job.

Re: Sanjay Gupta As Surgeon General? Not So Fast

Amedstudent — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 19:18:30 -0000

As a third year medical student I'm maddened by the choice of Dr. Gupta. Most people do not have a clue what medical school and residency are like or what public health issues are facing the world. I'm just starting my medical journey and am still dazed about why the President-elect would choose someone who has neither served at any public health agency nor been formally educated in public health.

So many other qualified physicians are out there who have, for decades, worked towards improving American's public health. They did not choose to specialize and open a private practice in a well-to-do neighborhood. They walked the walk and I have been inspired by them. It is a travesty that they are being overlooked.

Re: Sanjay Gupta As Surgeon General? Not So Fast

Dr. Gwenn — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:57:21 -0000

I'm with Dr. Val on this one! I was shocked and disappointed especially knowing some top docs in the country were also being considered. I do a lot of work with the American Academy of Pediatrics and knowing who they tossed in the hat to be considered for the Surgeon General post, Gupta's only claim to fame is he's more well known.

Dr. Gwenn

Re: Sanjay Gupta As Surgeon General? Not So Fast

jenny — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:22:42 -0000

Great choice, Dr Gupta is the perfect man for the job. Congrats to Dr Gupta. He will serve the country well.

Re: Sanjay Gupta As Surgeon General? Not So Fast

Jay — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:21:03 -0000

The Hindu American community lauds the appointment of Dr Gupta and we are 100% behind him. May Lord Krishna bless him and bless this nation.

Re: Sanjay Gupta As Surgeon General? Not So Fast

Sam — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:18:49 -0000

Dr Gupta is the best man for the job of SG. He is also a future President of the US, and this is just a stepping stone for him.

Re: Sanjay Gupta As Surgeon General? Not So Fast

starrs — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 14:38:02 -0000

This is exactly what concerned me about Obama-- first... Panetta and now Gupta nice people but not qualified for these leadership positions --poor judgement/lack of experience and so it starts.

Re: Sanjay Gupta As Surgeon General? Not So Fast

Rogue Medic — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 08:56:21 -0000

Does he have the gravitas to stand up to those attempting to kill our children, by stopping vaccination? Jenny McCarthy might humiliate him, and she's more boob than brain.

Re: Sanjay Gupta As Surgeon General? Not So Fast

Kody Black — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 23:54:38 -0000

The Youtube/American Idol president selects another minor celeb to be Surgeon General.

I'm shocked.

Re: Sanjay Gupta As Surgeon General? Not So Fast

Vicky — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 23:40:08 -0000

I don't know why we're even discussing this. I'm a physician and have seen Gupta's pieces. Yes, they are good and he interviews well, because he has time and a staff to look research a topic before he enters stage. He's a few years older than me. And I'll tell you that this is insane. There's no way he will be accepted

Re: Sanjay Gupta As Surgeon General? Not So Fast

Biff — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 22:56:26 -0000

PS. Don't forget that it was considered controversial at the time when C. Everett Koop decided to start wearing a uniform.

PPS. Contrary to some of the comments, there is no military experience requirement for the position of Surgeon General, and many, if not most, recent SGs have not had military backgrounds. As an aside, there is not even an explicit requirement for public health experience - most recent appointees have been surgeons, endocrinologists, etc - including Dr. Koop, who was a practicing pediatric surgeon until his appointment.

Anyway, if people in public health are complaining about Gupta, imagine how the intelligence professionals are feeling about Obama's rumored appointment of Leon Panetta to run the CIA!

Re: Sanjay Gupta As Surgeon General? Not So Fast

Biff — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 22:24:12 -0000

If Sanjay Gupta is confirmed as Surgeon General he will achieve the immediate rank of admiral, even though he has no previous military or public health experience whatsoever. It will be difficult for Gupta to be taken seriously by peers at the Pentagon and State Department.

Not sure that the Pentagon/State Department remark is at all relevant. The Surgeon General, while technically head of a US "Uniformed Service," i.e. the US Public Health Service, is not under the jurisdiction of the Pentagon, the Department of Defense, or the Department of State. The Surgeon General's official responsibilities are completely separate from those other organizations. The Surgeon General and the PHS is part of the Department of Health & Human Services. While there may be some need for coordination or consultation among cabinet departments, the functions are quite independent.

Re: Sanjay Gupta As Surgeon General? Not So Fast

DrV — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 22:14:04 -0000

Here's the elephant in the room: Why him. I'm with you. I like him but don't think he has the background for such major administrative public health responsibility

Re: Sanjay Gupta As Surgeon General? Not So Fast

News Review — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:54:12 -0000

After going over his background, he has a lot of achievements that might qualify him to the position. The fact that he is qualified, however, does not guarantee that he is well-fit for the job. Are there any more candidates other than him?

Re: Sanjay Gupta As Surgeon General? Not So Fast

motherjonesrn — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:27:31 -0000

Eye candy. Sweet! I'd want to work for Sanjay Gupta. But on a more serious note, I believe that the Surgeon General must have military experience. Gupta is a pretty boy, but I'd rather have C. Everett Koop.

Re: Sanjay Gupta As Surgeon General? Not So Fast

Becky — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:23:10 -0000

Yes, but he is a shill for the pharmaceutical companies and in their debt. He pushed Gardasil hard while under contract with Merck for a side venture he had going, without telling anybody -- all over the news shows. Whether or not you loath Michael Moore or praise him as courageous, Gupta's fact checking on Sicko was proven wrong. It wasn't that he was biased as much as he was just mistaken. You're either accurate, or you're not.

Re: Sanjay Gupta As Surgeon General? Not So Fast

mudphudder — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:58:09 -0000

Wow--this is the first I've heard regarding Sanjay Gupta being considered for Surgeon General. I have to agree that he lacks not only the gravitas (good word), but also the political and military experience that is typical of past Surgeon Generals. That being said, if I want to argue the other side--the pro-Gupta side--I'd say that perhaps his persona (the political, Washington-outsider, television-personality celebrity) could connect better with the American people...that he would have a larger audience of citizens, residents who actually listen to what he has to say. No doubt his relative youth is an asset to reach out to the younger generation (and, again, have them actually pay attention to what he's saying!). I ask this, what good is a candidate who has the gravitas and the experience, but who the American people couldn't care less about? How many people can name the Surgeon General of past administrations? If Gupta is picked, no doubt that number will sky rocket (and as a result, so will the importance of health-related issues). Just my two cents.

Re: Sanjay Gupta As Surgeon General? Not So Fast

PalMD — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:34:43 -0000

I don't know, Val. I'm cautiously optimistic. I mean he's young, but a well-respected physician and communicator, and damned smart. Many of teh blagz have talked about his various blunders, but he's not a shill for pseudoscience.

Re: Sanjay Gupta As Surgeon General? Not So Fast

Strong One — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:35:45 -0000

I think there might be more to the story. Or should I say I hope. Very concerning to pick a high profile 'celeb' reporter, when the duty calls for lots of 'GRAVITAS', which is something he might be lacking.
I'll be interested to see how this turns out.
Interested... and a lil worried.

Re: Sanjay Gupta As Surgeon General? Not So Fast

Abel Pharmboy — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:51:54 -0000

Interesting, Val - I neglected to consider the military issues related to the appointment. I should remember C Everett Koop in his uniform.

Re: Sanjay Gupta As Surgeon General? Not So Fast

Manya Arond-Thomas — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:46:31 -0000

Val - I agree with you, it is concerning as this position needs someone who has a lot of backbone (probably another form of gravitas)...I wonder what motivated Obama's choice. Given the changes and overhaul needed in the healthcare system, I hope Kennedy et al will be thorough and principled in their assessment.