Trump appoints celebrity doctor Dr. Oz to head major federal health agency

President-elect Donald Trump announced the appointment of Dr. Mehmet Oz, widely recognized as a TV personality and former heart surgeon, to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

The agency oversees health insurance programs for elderly and low-income Americans, as well as the Affordable Care Act’s insurance exchanges. Dr. Oz’s career trajectory—from Ivy League-educated surgeon to television celebrity—has drawn both admiration and controversy.

Dr. Oz rose to prominence as a trusted medical voice on The Oprah Winfrey Show before launching The Dr. Oz Show. While his charisma and relatable demeanor won over audiences, his promotion of fringe medical theories and questionable products has often been criticized. “Oz publicly endorsed dozens of egregiously unscientific ‘quack’ treatments,” including the claim that green coffee bean extract aids weight loss, noted Erin Brodwin of Business Insider. Abby Phillip of The Washington Post added, “Oz has done a lot to damage his credibility as a medical doctor over the years.”

Dr. Oz’s medical journey began in Cleveland, Ohio, where he was born to Turkish immigrant parents in 1960. After earning degrees from Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania, he became a renowned cardiothoracic surgeon at Columbia University. His first taste of public attention came in 1996, during a high-profile heart surgery for the brother of former Yankees manager Joe Torre. According to Olivia Nuzzi of New York Magazine, “Oz found that he loved being the public face of medical advancement.”

In recent years, Oz transitioned into politics. He was appointed by Trump to the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition in 2018, a role he held until President Joe Biden removed him in 2022. Later, Oz ran for Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senate seat with Trump’s endorsement but lost to Democrat John Fetterman.

His campaign faced ridicule after a video surfaced of Oz shopping for vegetables at a store he mistakenly called “Wegner’s,” reinforcing perceptions that he was out of touch with Pennsylvanians. “It was yet another example of the out-of-touch and often bizarre behavior that has defined the New Jersey multimillionaire’s cringeworthy Senate run,” said Kim Kelly of NBC News.

Oz’s nomination to head CMS has sparked a mixed response. Moderate Republicans, such as Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine), expressed optimism about his healthcare background. “It will be helpful to have someone who has been a healthcare provider running that agency,” Collins told Politico.

Others, however, have raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest due to Oz’s investments in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors. “His investments call into question whether he can be trusted to act on behalf of the American people,” said Peter Lurie, president of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, in comments to NPR.

Critics also worry that Oz’s past support for Medicare Advantage, a privatized alternative to traditional Medicare, could signal a shift in government healthcare policy. “Oz is a prominent hype man for Medicare Advantage,” noted Chris Stanton of New York Magazine. His leadership could, some fear, undermine the government’s role in Medicare.

As Dr. Oz prepares to step into his new role, questions remain about how his vision aligns with Trump’s broader healthcare agenda. His celebrity status, coupled with his divisive reputation, ensures that his leadership at CMS will be closely watched.