Mehmet Oz

Mehmet Oz has transitioned from a renowned cardiothoracic surgeon and award-winning television host to a leading government official, currently serving as the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). After earning his undergraduate degree from Harvard University in 1982 and a joint M.D.-M.B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine and Wharton School in 1986, Mehmet Oz embarked on a distinguished medical career. He completed his residency in general surgery and a fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery at Presbyterian Hospital in New York, where he later co-founded the Cardiac Complementary Care Center in April 1995.

A professor of surgery at Columbia University by 2001, Oz developed new procedures and medical devices for heart surgery, including the MitraClip and left ventricular assist device (LVAD), establishing himself as a leading cardiothoracic surgeon. Oz transitioned into media with ‘Second Opinion with Dr. Oz’ on the Discovery Channel in 2003. His regular appearances on ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show,’ commencing in 2004, significantly propelled his national recognition.

This led to the launch of ‘The Dr. Oz Show’ in 2009, produced by Winfrey’s Harpo Productions and Sony Pictures Television. The critically acclaimed program ran for 13 seasons, earning an impressive 10 Daytime Emmy Awards and establishing Oz as a prominent voice in health and wellness. In 2010, he further expanded his reach as a co-founder of Sharecare, Inc.

This role focuses on delivering health outcomes for over 160 million people. His strategic agenda for CMS includes empowering individuals with personalized health solutions, improving information for healthcare providers, actively combating fraud and abuse, and shifting the focus from ‘sick care’ to preventative wellness strategies, demonstrating his continued commitment to public health at a national policy level.