Mehmet Oz

Mehmet Oz
Name	Mehmet Oz
Caption	Oz in 2012
Birth date	11 June 1960
Birth place	Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Alma mater	Harvard University (AB), University of Pennsylvania (MD, MBA)
Occupation	Cardiothoracic surgeon, television presenter, author, politician
Party	Republican
Spouse	Lisa Oz (m. 1985)
Known for	The Dr. Oz Show, attending physician at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia University professor

Mehmet Oz is an American cardiothoracic surgeon, television personality, author, and politician. He gained national fame as the host of the popular syndicated television program The Dr. Oz Show, which premiered in 2009. A former professor at Columbia University and an attending physician at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, he entered politics as the Republican nominee for the 2022 U.S. Senate election in Pennsylvania, a race he ultimately lost to John Fetterman.

Early life and education

He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, to Turkish immigrant parents who had moved from Konya, Turkey. His father, Mustafa Oz, was a surgeon who trained at the Cleveland Clinic, and his mother, Suna Oz, was a homemaker. He attended Tower Hill School in Wilmington, Delaware, before enrolling at Harvard University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in biology and completed pre-medical studies. He subsequently attended both the Perelman School of Medicine and the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, graduating in 1986 with both a Doctor of Medicine and a Master of Business Administration.

Medical career

He completed his residency in surgery at the Columbia University Irving Medical Center and a fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery at the same institution. He joined the faculty at Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons and became a professor of surgery, specializing in heart transplantation and minimally invasive cardiac surgery. He served as the director of the Cardiovascular Institute at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and co-founded the Complementary Medicine Program at the Columbia University Medical Center. His research has been published in numerous peer-reviewed journals, including The New England Journal of Medicine and the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Television and media career

His media career began with frequent appearances as a health expert on The Oprah Winfrey Show, which led to his own syndicated program, The Dr. Oz Show, launched by Harpo Productions and Sony Pictures Television. The show, which won multiple Daytime Emmy Awards, made him a household name and a bestselling author of books like YOU: The Owner's Manual. He also served as a chief medical consultant for Discovery Communications and hosted a program on the Oprah Winfrey Network. His television work and promotion of various dietary supplements and alternative therapies have drawn scrutiny from the U.S. Senate and criticism from the American Medical Association.

Political career

In November 2021, he announced his candidacy for the United States Senate from Pennsylvania as a Republican, entering a crowded primary field. He was endorsed by former President Donald Trump and secured the Republican nomination after a close contest that required a recount against David McCormick. In the general election, he faced Democratic nominee John Fetterman, the Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania, in a race that attracted significant national attention and spending. He lost the election to Fetterman in November 2022.

Personal life

He married author Lisa Oz, the daughter of renowned cardiologist Gerald Lemole, in 1985. The couple has four children and resides primarily in Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania. He holds dual citizenship in the United States and Turkey and has served in the Turkish Army as a medical officer to fulfill mandatory service requirements. He is a practicing Muslim and has spoken publicly about his faith. His family owns property in Palm Beach, Florida, and he maintains an active presence on social media platforms.

Awards and recognition

Throughout his career, he has received numerous accolades, including several Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Informative Talk Show Host. He was named one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in 2008 and was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He has also been honored by the American Heart Association and received the American College of Surgeons' prestigious Jacobson Innovation Award for his contributions to surgical techniques. His television show has won multiple Prism Awards for its coverage of health issues.

Category:American cardiothoracic surgeons Category:American television personalities Category:American Republican Party politicians Category:University of Pennsylvania alumni Category:Harvard University alumni