Cast of Characters

Gupta Steps Aside

Updated 7: 24 p.m.

By Michael D. Shear and Howard Kurtz

Sanjay Gupta, CNN's chief medical correspondent, has told network officials will not leave his television career to become the U.S. Surgeon General, according to sources familiar with his decision.

Gupta, who had been described as the leading candidate for the public health post, withdrew his name even as President Obama hosted a health care summit at the White House today that Gupta did not attend.

The decision means that the often low-profile job will not get a mass-media jolt from appointing the well-known television celebrity. Gupta, a neurosurgeon who continues to practice medicine, has become ubiquitous on CNN, where he hosts a half-hour show called "House Call "and appears on numerous other programs.

Sources confirmed weeks ago that Obama had offered the position to Gupta and that the neurosurgeon intended to leave his network job for the government post. But no further moves were evident, especially after Obama's first choice for secretary of health and human services, former senator Tom Daschle, was derailed by tax problems.

Gupta, who was once named one of the "sexiest men alive" by People Magazine, was never officially named to the post and continued to report on CNN. He did not issue a statement or explain his decision Thursday. Sources said the medical journalist told CNN executives that he wanted to devote more time to his medical practice and to his duties at the network.

But one source close to him said he was very disheartened by Daschle's fate and fearful he was not going to get a prominent role in the health reform process. Gupta has built a lucrative media empire that includes appearances on CBS as well as CNN and book deals. He had expressed concern to friends about the financial impact on his wife and children.

The choice of Gupta as Surgeon General -- the head of the commissioned corps of the U.S. Public Health Service -- was controversial from the start, as critics questioned his qualifications and experience.

Staff writer Ceci Connolly contributed to this report.

Posted at 5:40 PM ET on Mar 5, 2009 | Category: Cast of Characters

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