Dr. Sanjay Gupta was on The Late Show with David Letterman a few days ago. Sanjay Gupta loaded with credentials; an assistant professor at Emory University; CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent; and a practicing neurosurgeon. Dave is a bit concerned that Dr. Gupta is practicing, hoping it’ll eventually make him perfect. “Are you really a neurosurgeon?” No, I’m just practicing.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta had worked in the White House for First Lady Hillary Clinton. The experience enticed him to consider the Surgeon General position when it was recently offered to him. He eventually turned it down when he learned he would be away from his family too much and that he would have to give up surgery. Ironically, the Surgeon General doesn’t perform surgery. He would have to abandon his surgical career for the duration of the position. And his work on CNN as its Chief Medical Correspondent is a powerful position in that he reaches so many people. It’s not something he would want to give up.

What about this Swine Flu. It now seems to have been overblown. Dr. Gupta says at the time the flu was uncovered, it was deemed a brand new strain and was killing people in Mexico in the prime of their lives. Of course this should create great concern. It’s since been learned that this particular virus lacks some of the traits that would make it widespread deadly, but at the time no one knew where it would lead.

You can also read Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s POV on the show here.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta on The Late Show with David Letterman

Dr. Sanjay Gupta on The Late Show with David Letterman (CNN clip)