Barack Obama Looks For New Surgeon-General

CNN reports that the president-elect has approached the network’s chief medical correspondent, Dr Sanjay Gupta, about taking on the post of US Surgeon General.

Hence, the Detroit-born neurosurgeon, deemed one of the Sexiest Men Alive by People in 2003, has steered clear of reporting on health care policy or any other Obama-related issues, according to CNN.

Gupta himself has declined to comment, but we’re suspecting he’s pretty flattered.

The 39-year-old University of Michigan alum makes his home in the Atlanta area now, but in 1997 he served as a White House fellow and as a special adviser to then-first lady Hillary Clinton. He joined CNN in 2001.

Editor’s Note: After original publication of this story in January 2009, Dr Gupta withdrew his name from consideration of the position of U.S. Surgeon-General, in March 2009.