Who is Dr. Mehmet Oz, Trump's pick to run Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Oz's appointment will place him in charge of Medicare, Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program and ACA

Dr. Mehmet Oz, the celebrity heart surgeon-turned-TV personality, has been tapped by President-elect Donald Trump to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the federal agency responsible for overseeing the nation's health programs.

Oz's appointment, if confirmed, would place him in charge of Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and the Affordable Care Act, impacting the health care of more than 160 million Americans.

A long journey from surgeon to TV star

Born in Cleveland to Turkish immigrant parents, Oz earned his medical degree and MBA from the University of Pennsylvania, where he became a prominent heart surgeon.

However, it was his role as a medical expert on The Oprah Winfrey Show that catapulted him to fame in the early 2000s. His approachable style and ability to explain complex medical topics in simple terms made him a household name.

In 2009, Oz launched his own syndicated program, The Dr. Oz Show, which ran for 13 seasons and garnered a massive following.

Over the years, Oz built a reputation as a wellness guru, advocating for various health trends, from weight loss strategies to alternative therapies.

His show became a platform for promoting products, some of which were later criticized for their questionable efficacy. Critics have long argued that Oz blurred the lines between science and entertainment, raising concerns about the medical claims made on his show.

In fact, his promotion of products like “miracle” weight-loss pills and dubious health trends led to lawsuits and public backlash, damaging his reputation in some quarters of the medical community.

A controversial political shift

In 2022, Oz took a significant step into politics by running for the US Senate in Pennsylvania.

Despite living in New Jersey for many years, Oz relocated to Pennsylvania to contest the seat vacated by Republican Senator Pat Toomey.

His campaign, heavily built around his celebrity status, was marked by numerous gaffes and criticisms, including accusations of being an out-of-touch elitist.

Oz was endorsed by Trump, which helped him win a crowded Republican primary but ultimately lost to Democrat John Fetterman in the general election.

Throughout his campaign, Oz’s health and political views often came under scrutiny, with critics pointing to his history of controversial medical advice and his embrace of far-right politics.

His association with Trump, especially during the 2016 presidential campaign when Oz made a widely ridiculed appearance analyzing Trump’s health, further alienated some voters.

The appointment to CMS

Now, Trump’s decision to appoint Oz to lead CMS signals a significant shift in his political trajectory.

As head of CMS, Oz would oversee a massive federal health care bureaucracy responsible for spending over $1 trillion annually and administering health insurance programs that cover millions of Americans.

The agency also plays a central role in the broader health care economy, setting payment rates and establishing regulations that influence both public and private health providers.

If confirmed, Oz’s leadership at CMS will likely spark intense debates.

His critics worry about his past associations with pseudoscience and his history of promoting unproven medical treatments.

Some also question whether his celebrity status and lack of deep government or public health experience qualify him for such an influential position.

However, Trump and his supporters argue that Oz’s high-profile background and public trust as a TV doctor give him the visibility and credibility needed to effect change.

A legacy of celebrity and controversy

Dr. Oz’s career has been anything but traditional. From his rise as a trusted medical expert on Oprah’s show to his more recent political endeavors, he has made headlines for both his medical achievements and his polarizing public persona.

His television career was both celebrated and criticized, as he used his platform to promote health products and lifestyle advice, some of which were widely discredited by medical professionals.

His Senate race and eventual appointment to CMS will likely continue to stir debate.

Oz’s critics have long argued that his focus on entertainment and alternative medicine detracts from the serious, evidence-based practice of medicine, while his supporters believe his outsider status could bring fresh perspectives to the bureaucracy.

As the leader of CMS, Dr. Oz could profoundly shape the future of American healthcare, a role he steps into with both immense visibility and a controversial track record.

Whether he will prove capable of navigating the complexities of the health care system and balancing the demands of public health and political interests remains to be seen.

However, Dr. Mehmet Oz's career is one marked by transformation, from renowned surgeon to television celebrity, to now overseeing the very programs that impact the lives of millions.