CNN's Dr. Gupta Tapped as Surgeon General

The Barack Obama transition team reportedly has asked CNN’s chief medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, to become the new U.S. surgeon general.

One Obama insider told CNN that the transition team is impressed with the combination of Gupta's government experience, as a White House fellow in 1997 and a special adviser to then-first lady Hillary Clinton; his medical career as a neurosurgeon; and his communication skills.

CNN released a statement saying, "Since first learning that Dr. Gupta was under consideration for the surgeon general position, CNN has made sure that his on-air reporting has been on health and wellness matters and not on healthcare policy or any matters involving the new administration."

Howard Kurtz of the Washington Post, citing two sources with knowledge of the situation, reported that Obama has offered Gupta the position, Gupta told administration officials that he wants the job, and the final vetting process is under way.

Gupta is a member of the faculty in the Department of Neurosurgery at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, and regularly performs surgery at Emory University Hospital and at Grady Memorial Hospital.

Gupta joined CNN in 2001. He is a lead reporter on breaking medical news, provides regular health and medical updates for "American Morning," anchors the half-hour weekend medical affairs program "House Call with Dr. Sanjay Gupta," and reports for CNN documentaries, according to his CNN biography.

Gupta also contributes health stories to CNN.com and writes a column for Time magazine.