Prominent Physicians Call for Columbia University to Fire Dr Oz
USA Today reports that ten physicians have submitted a letter to Columbia University Dean of Medicine calling for the ouster of television personality and cardiothoracic surgeon Mehmet Oz, who holds the surgery department vice chairmanship at Columbia’s medical school. The letter’s authors cite conflicts of interest and promotion of “quack treatments and cures.” Last year, Dr Oz came under scrutiny for promoting bogus weight loss products.
On more than one occasion, he has hosted Joseph Mercola who contributed $15,000 in 2013 to Clean Water Portland, a group opposing efforts to fluoridate Portland’s water. In a lengthy profile of Mehmet Oz, the New Yorker includes Mercola among its examples of “guests with dubious authority to argue” their positions.
