Sanjay Gupta: Difference between revisions
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'''Sanjay Gupta''' (born October 23, 1969) is an American [[neurosurgeon]], medical | '''Sanjay Gupta''' (born October 23, 1969) is an American [[neurosurgeon]], medical journalist, and author who has served as the chief medical correspondent for [[CNN]] since 2001. A practicing neurosurgeon who holds positions as associate chief of the neurosurgery service at [[Grady Memorial Hospital]] in [[Atlanta, Georgia]], and as an associate professor of neurosurgery at the [[Emory University School of Medicine]], Gupta occupies an unusual position at the intersection of clinical medicine and broadcast journalism.<ref name="cnn-profile">{{cite web |title=Dr. Sanjay Gupta |url=https://www.cnn.com/profiles/sanjay-gupta-profile |publisher=CNN |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> He is a member of the [[National Academy of Medicine]] and the [[American Academy of Arts and Sciences]].<ref name="britannica">{{cite web |title=Sanjay Gupta {{!}} Biography, CNN, Books, & Facts |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sanjay-Gupta |publisher=Encyclopedia Britannica |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Over the course of more than two decades in television, Gupta has received multiple [[Emmy Award]]s for his reporting, which has spanned coverage of natural disasters, armed conflicts, and public health crises including the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. He is also the author of four books, including the novel ''Monday Mornings'' and the nonfiction works ''Chasing Life'', ''Cheating Death'', and ''Keep Sharp''. His work has made him one of the most recognizable medical communicators in American media, and he has also served as a special correspondent for [[CBS News]].<ref name="cnn-profile" /> | ||
== Early Life == | == Early Life == | ||
Sanjay Gupta was born on October 23, 1969, in [[Novi, Michigan]], a suburb of [[Detroit]].<ref name="britannica" /> His parents are of | Sanjay Gupta was born on October 23, 1969, in [[Novi, Michigan]], a suburb of [[Detroit]].<ref name="britannica" /> His parents are of Indian descent; his mother is Damyanti Gupta. His brother, [[Suneel Gupta]], later became an author and entrepreneur.<ref name="britannica" /> | ||
In a 2025 interview with [[NPR]], Gupta recalled a formative childhood experience | Growing up in the suburbs of Michigan, Gupta came of age in an area with strong ties to the American automotive industry. Details of his childhood have occasionally surfaced in his public interviews and writing. In a 2025 interview with [[NPR]], Gupta recalled a formative childhood experience involving pain, describing the day he impaled himself on a wrought iron fence at the age of twelve — an episode that he has cited as an early encounter with the medical system and the complexities of physical suffering.<ref name="npr-pain">{{cite news |date=September 4, 2025 |title=Experiencing pain? Sanjay Gupta explains why 'It Doesn't Have to Hurt' |url=https://www.npr.org/2025/09/04/nx-s1-5527017/sanjay-gupta-pain |work=NPR |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> | ||
== Education == | |||
= | Gupta attended the [[University of Michigan]], where he earned both his [[Bachelor of Science]] degree and his [[Doctor of Medicine]] (M.D.) degree from the [[University of Michigan Medical School]].<ref name="britannica" /> He completed his residency training in neurosurgery, which prepared him for his later career as a practicing surgeon specializing in the brain and spine. | ||
During his time at the University of Michigan, Gupta was involved in student organizations, including the Indian American Student Association (IASA), where he participated during the 1990–1991 academic year.<ref>{{cite web |title=IASA History: 1990–1991 |url=http://www.umiasa.org/about-us/iasa-history/1990-1991/ |publisher=University of Michigan Indian American Student Association |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> | |||
== Career == | == Career == | ||
| Line 33: | Line 33: | ||
=== Neurosurgery === | === Neurosurgery === | ||
Gupta has maintained an active | Gupta has maintained an active clinical practice throughout his career in journalism, a dual role that distinguishes him from most broadcast medical correspondents. He serves as an associate chief of the neurosurgery service at [[Grady Memorial Hospital]] in Atlanta, Georgia, one of the largest public hospitals in the southeastern United States.<ref name="cnn-profile" /> He also holds a faculty appointment as an associate professor of neurosurgery at the [[Emory University School of Medicine]].<ref name="britannica" /> His clinical and academic work has included research published in the ''[[Journal of Neurosurgery]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Journal of Neurosurgery publication |url=http://jnsonline.org/spine/issues/v97n1/pdf/s0970007.pdf |publisher=Journal of Neurosurgery |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> | ||
In | Gupta's surgical work has occasionally intersected with his journalism. In 2003, while embedded with a U.S. Navy medical unit during the [[Iraq War]], Gupta performed emergency surgery on both American soldiers and Iraqi civilians, including a operation on an Iraqi child. His actions in the field were reported by the U.S. Navy and drew attention to the dual nature of his professional identity as both a physician and a journalist.<ref>{{cite web |title=Navy story on Sanjay Gupta in Iraq |url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=50603 |publisher=United States Navy |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> He later reflected on the experience of operating under wartime conditions in Iraq.<ref>{{cite web |title=Gupta Iraq report |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2006/US/05/29/gupta.iraq.btsc/index.html |publisher=CNN |date=May 29, 2006 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> | ||
=== CNN and Broadcast Journalism === | === CNN and Broadcast Journalism === | ||
Gupta's | Gupta's career as a medical journalist has been centered at [[CNN]], where he has served as chief medical correspondent for more than two decades.<ref name="cnn-profile" /> In this role, he has reported on a wide range of medical and public health topics, appearing regularly on programs including ''[[American Morning]]'', ''[[Larry King Live]]'', ''[[Anderson Cooper 360°]]'', and ''[[CNN Tonight]]''.<ref name="britannica" /> | ||
He hosted the long-running CNN program ''Sanjay Gupta MD'', a weekly show focused on health and medical topics, for which he received multiple Emmy Awards.<ref name="cnn-profile" /> He also hosted the six-part miniseries ''Chasing Life'', in which he explored health and wellness practices from around the world.<ref name="britannica" /> | |||
Gupta's field reporting has taken him to some of the most significant disaster zones and crisis events of the 21st century. His coverage from [[Charity Hospital]] in [[New Orleans, Louisiana]], in the aftermath of [[Hurricane Katrina]] in 2005 was among his most notable work. Reporting from inside the hospital as conditions deteriorated and patients faced dire circumstances, Gupta provided vivid accounts of the medical crisis unfolding in the city. This reporting earned him a 2006 Emmy Award for Outstanding Feature Story in a Regularly Scheduled Newscast.<ref name="britannica" /> | |||
In January 2010, following the catastrophic [[2010 Haiti earthquake|earthquake in Haiti]], Gupta traveled to the country to report on the disaster and its medical aftermath. His presence there was documented in photojournalistic coverage of the crisis.<ref>{{cite web |title=Haiti Struggles with Death and Destruction After Catastrophic Earthquake |url=http://www.life.com/news-pictures/95855402/haiti-struggles-with-death-and-destruction-after-catastrophic-earthquake |publisher=Life |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> | |||
==== | ==== COVID-19 Pandemic Coverage ==== | ||
During the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], which began in early 2020, Gupta became one of the most prominent medical voices in American broadcast media. He served as a frequent contributor to numerous CNN programs covering the crisis and co-hosted a weekly town hall with [[Anderson Cooper]] that addressed public questions about the virus, vaccines, and public health measures.<ref name="britannica" /> His role during the pandemic significantly increased his public visibility, as millions of Americans turned to television news for guidance on the rapidly evolving health crisis. | |||
During the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], Gupta became one of the most | |||
==== Medical Marijuana Reporting ==== | ==== Medical Marijuana Reporting ==== | ||
Gupta | Gupta has been notable for his reporting on the medical use of [[cannabis]], which involved a public evolution of his position on the subject. He produced a series of documentary specials for CNN on medical marijuana, exploring the scientific evidence for its therapeutic applications as well as the legal and social controversies surrounding it.<ref>{{cite web |title=CNN Special: Medical Marijuana |url=http://www.cnn.com/specials/health/medical-marijuana |publisher=CNN |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> | ||
==== Controversy with Michael Moore ==== | ==== Controversy with Michael Moore ==== | ||
In 2007, Gupta was involved in a public dispute with filmmaker [[Michael Moore]] regarding | In 2007, Gupta was involved in a public dispute with filmmaker [[Michael Moore]] regarding the CNN fact-check of Moore's documentary ''[[Sicko]]'', which examined the American healthcare system. Moore criticized Gupta's reporting on the film, and the exchange between the two became a widely discussed media event. The disagreement centered on specific claims made in the documentary and Gupta's on-air analysis of those claims.<ref>{{cite web |title=Michael Moore response |url=http://www.michaelmoore.com/sicko/news/article_10017.php |publisher=MichaelMoore.com |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=CNN Transcript: The Situation Room |url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0707/09/sitroom.03.html |publisher=CNN |date=July 9, 2007 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The incident drew media commentary and analysis.<ref>{{cite web |title=Health news analysis of Gupta-Moore dispute |url=http://blog.lib.umn.edu/schwitz/healthnews/075532.html |publisher=University of Minnesota |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> | ||
==== AI | ==== AI Deepfakes and Misinformation ==== | ||
In | In 2025, Gupta publicly addressed the growing problem of [[artificial intelligence]]-generated misinformation in health media after discovering that scammers were using his likeness in [[deepfake]] videos and doctored images to sell fraudulent health products. In a CNN segment, Gupta denounced the practice, stating "That's not me," and warned the public about the dangers of AI-generated health misinformation.<ref>{{cite news |date=July 31, 2025 |title='That's not me': Dr. Gupta denounces use of AI to make fake product ads |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/31/health/video/gupta-fake-ai-health-ads-digvid-16x9 |work=CNN |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The incident highlighted broader concerns about the exploitation of trusted public figures' identities for commercial fraud using emerging technology. | ||
=== Podcast === | === Podcast: Chasing Life === | ||
Gupta hosts the CNN podcast ''Chasing Life'', | Gupta hosts the CNN podcast ''Chasing Life'', which covers a range of health, science, and wellness topics. The podcast has explored subjects from pain management to the science of hibernation and its potential implications for space travel and medicine.<ref>{{cite web |title=How Hibernation Could Redefine Space Travel and Medicine |url=https://www.cnn.com/audio/podcasts/chasing-life/episodes/797aeebc-af5f-11f0-844b-f72180cce8ea |publisher=CNN |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref name="cnn-profile" /> | ||
=== Writing Career === | === Writing Career === | ||
Gupta has authored four books | In addition to his work in television and neurosurgery, Gupta has written extensively for print media and has authored four books. He published a column in ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine.<ref name="britannica" /> | ||
His first book, ''Chasing Life: New Discoveries in the Search for Immortality to Help You Age Less Today'', examined research into longevity and aging.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chasing Life |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aQADmbbltXAC |publisher=Google Books |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> His second book, ''Cheating Death: The Doctors and Medical Miracles that Are Saving Lives Against All Odds'', explored cases of medical intervention in life-threatening situations.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cheating Death |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8HYqSHLOVRoC |publisher=Google Books |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> | |||
Gupta's third book, ''Monday Mornings: A Novel'', was a work of fiction drawing on his experience as a neurosurgeon. The novel depicted the behind-the-scenes culture of a hospital and the morbidity and mortality conferences where doctors review cases that resulted in complications or death.<ref>{{cite web |title=Monday Mornings |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ypIRN-fCRWsC |publisher=Google Books |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The novel was adapted into a television series, ''[[Monday Mornings (TV series)|Monday Mornings]]'', which aired on [[TNT (TV channel)|TNT]] in 2013. | |||
His fourth book, ''Keep Sharp: Build a Better Brain at Any Age'', was published in January 2021 and focused on brain health, cognitive decline prevention, and neuroscience-based strategies for maintaining mental acuity.<ref name="britannica" /> | |||
Gupta | In September 2025, Gupta published another book on the subject of pain, drawing on both his personal experiences and his expertise as a neurosurgeon. In promoting the book, he spoke with NPR about the complexities of pain perception and treatment.<ref name="npr-pain" /> | ||
=== Conference and Public Speaking === | |||
= | Gupta co-hosts the health conference "Life Itself," along with Marc Hodosh, co-creator of [[TEDMED]]. The conference brings together figures from the medical, scientific, and wellness communities.<ref name="britannica" /> | ||
In December 2025, the [[American Psychiatric Association]] announced that Gupta would deliver the keynote address at the Opening Session of its 2026 Annual Meeting, scheduled for May 16, 2026. The APA described him as a "practicing neurosurgeon, bestselling author, and multiple Emmy Award–winning chief medical correspondent for CNN."<ref>{{cite web |title=2026 Opening Session to Feature Dr. Sanjay Gupta |url=https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/meetings/annual-meeting/blog/2026-opening-session-to-feature-dr-sanjay-gupta |publisher=American Psychiatric Association |date=December 11, 2025 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Gupta was announced to speak on the intersection of storytelling and mental health.<ref>{{cite web |title=CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta on Storytelling and Mental Health |url=https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.pn.2026.02.2.19 |publisher=Psychiatry Online |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> | |||
=== Special Correspondent for CBS News === | |||
In addition to his primary role at CNN, Gupta has served as a special correspondent for [[CBS News]], contributing medical reporting to the network's news programming.<ref name="britannica" /> | |||
== Personal Life == | == Personal Life == | ||
Gupta resides in | Gupta has three children.<ref name="britannica" /> He resides in the Atlanta, Georgia, area, where he maintains his clinical practice and academic appointment at Emory University.<ref name="cnn-profile" /> | ||
His brother, [[Suneel Gupta]], is an author and public | His brother, [[Suneel Gupta]], is an author and entrepreneur who has also made public appearances discussing health and wellness topics. | ||
== Recognition == | |||
== | Gupta has received multiple [[Emmy Award]]s over the course of his broadcast journalism career.<ref name="cnn-profile" /> His 2006 Emmy Award for Outstanding Feature Story in a Regularly Scheduled Newscast recognized his reporting from Charity Hospital in New Orleans during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.<ref name="britannica" /> He has received additional Emmy Awards for his work on ''Sanjay Gupta MD'' and other CNN programming. | ||
Gupta | Gupta is a member of the [[National Academy of Medicine]], one of the highest professional distinctions in the fields of health and medicine in the United States. He is also a member of the [[American Academy of Arts and Sciences]].<ref name="britannica" /> | ||
He has been invited to deliver keynote addresses and lectures at major medical and academic institutions, including a commencement address at the [[University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Pritzker School of Medicine Commencement |url=http://pritzker.uchicago.edu/about/news/commencement.shtml |publisher=University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> | |||
His work has been recognized by professional journalism organizations, and he has been the subject of profiles and coverage in major media outlets. A 2009 profile noted the breadth of his media presence and his unusual dual career as a surgeon and journalist.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sanjay Gupta profile |url=http://www.bradenton.com/living/story/1148201.html |publisher=Bradenton Herald |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> | |||
Gupta has also been covered in university media, including the [[Emory Wheel]], the student newspaper of Emory University, which has reported on his work and appearances at the institution.<ref>{{cite web |title=Emory Wheel article on Sanjay Gupta |url=http://www.emorywheel.com/detail.php?n=26387 |publisher=The Emory Wheel |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> | |||
== Legacy == | == Legacy == | ||
Gupta | Through his sustained presence in both clinical neurosurgery and broadcast journalism, Gupta has become one of the most prominent physician-journalists in American media history. His ability to operate as a practicing surgeon while simultaneously serving as a chief medical correspondent for a major cable news network has defined a model of medical communication that bridges the gap between the clinical and public spheres. | ||
His | His reporting during major crises — including Hurricane Katrina, the Haiti earthquake, the Iraq War, and the COVID-19 pandemic — has placed medical journalism at the center of some of the most significant news events of the early 21st century. By providing on-the-ground medical reporting in conflict and disaster zones, Gupta expanded the conventional boundaries of health journalism beyond the studio. | ||
Gupta's work in educating the public about medical topics through television, podcasts, and books has reached audiences of millions. His ''Chasing Life'' podcast and his multiple nonfiction books have addressed topics ranging from brain health and longevity to pain management, contributing to public discourse on medicine and wellness. | |||
His | His 2025 public stance against AI deepfakes exploiting his likeness underscored emerging challenges facing public figures in medicine and journalism, as artificial intelligence technology creates new avenues for health misinformation.<ref>{{cite news |date=July 31, 2025 |title='That's not me': Dr. Gupta denounces use of AI to make fake product ads |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/31/health/video/gupta-fake-ai-health-ads-digvid-16x9 |work=CNN |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> | ||
His election to both the National Academy of Medicine and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences reflects recognition from both the medical and broader intellectual communities of his contributions to public health communication.<ref name="britannica" /> | |||
== References == | == References == | ||
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[[Category:American neurosurgeons]] | [[Category:American neurosurgeons]] | ||
[[Category:American medical journalists]] | [[Category:American medical journalists]] | ||
[[Category:American television | [[Category:American television journalists]] | ||
[[Category:CNN people]] | [[Category:CNN people]] | ||
[[Category:CBS News people]] | |||
[[Category:Emmy Award winners]] | |||
[[Category:Emory University faculty]] | [[Category:Emory University faculty]] | ||
[[Category:University of Michigan Medical School alumni]] | [[Category:University of Michigan Medical School alumni]] | ||
[[Category:University of Michigan alumni]] | [[Category:University of Michigan alumni]] | ||
[[Category:American writers of Indian descent]] | [[Category:American writers of Indian descent]] | ||
[[Category:People from Novi, Michigan]] | [[Category:People from Novi, Michigan]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Members of the National Academy of Medicine]] | ||
[[Category:American | [[Category:American Academy of Arts and Sciences fellows]] | ||
[[Category:American male non-fiction writers]] | [[Category:American male non-fiction writers]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:American male novelists]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:American podcasters]] | ||
[[Category:War correspondents]] | |||
<html><script type="application/ld+json"> | <html><script type="application/ld+json"> | ||
{ | { | ||
Latest revision as of 04:26, 24 February 2026
| Sanjay Gupta | |
| Gupta in 2021 | |
| Sanjay Gupta | |
| Born | 23 10, 1969 |
|---|---|
| Birthplace | Novi, Michigan, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Neurosurgeon, medical journalist, author |
| Employer | CNN, Emory University School of Medicine, Grady Memorial Hospital |
| Known for | Chief medical correspondent for CNN |
| Education | University of Michigan (B.S., M.D.) |
| Children | 3 |
| Awards | Multiple Emmy Awards |
Sanjay Gupta (born October 23, 1969) is an American neurosurgeon, medical journalist, and author who has served as the chief medical correspondent for CNN since 2001. A practicing neurosurgeon who holds positions as associate chief of the neurosurgery service at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, and as an associate professor of neurosurgery at the Emory University School of Medicine, Gupta occupies an unusual position at the intersection of clinical medicine and broadcast journalism.[1] He is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.[2] Over the course of more than two decades in television, Gupta has received multiple Emmy Awards for his reporting, which has spanned coverage of natural disasters, armed conflicts, and public health crises including the COVID-19 pandemic. He is also the author of four books, including the novel Monday Mornings and the nonfiction works Chasing Life, Cheating Death, and Keep Sharp. His work has made him one of the most recognizable medical communicators in American media, and he has also served as a special correspondent for CBS News.[1]
Early Life
Sanjay Gupta was born on October 23, 1969, in Novi, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit.[2] His parents are of Indian descent; his mother is Damyanti Gupta. His brother, Suneel Gupta, later became an author and entrepreneur.[2]
Growing up in the suburbs of Michigan, Gupta came of age in an area with strong ties to the American automotive industry. Details of his childhood have occasionally surfaced in his public interviews and writing. In a 2025 interview with NPR, Gupta recalled a formative childhood experience involving pain, describing the day he impaled himself on a wrought iron fence at the age of twelve — an episode that he has cited as an early encounter with the medical system and the complexities of physical suffering.[3]
Education
Gupta attended the University of Michigan, where he earned both his Bachelor of Science degree and his Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree from the University of Michigan Medical School.[2] He completed his residency training in neurosurgery, which prepared him for his later career as a practicing surgeon specializing in the brain and spine.
During his time at the University of Michigan, Gupta was involved in student organizations, including the Indian American Student Association (IASA), where he participated during the 1990–1991 academic year.[4]
Career
Neurosurgery
Gupta has maintained an active clinical practice throughout his career in journalism, a dual role that distinguishes him from most broadcast medical correspondents. He serves as an associate chief of the neurosurgery service at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, one of the largest public hospitals in the southeastern United States.[1] He also holds a faculty appointment as an associate professor of neurosurgery at the Emory University School of Medicine.[2] His clinical and academic work has included research published in the Journal of Neurosurgery.[5]
Gupta's surgical work has occasionally intersected with his journalism. In 2003, while embedded with a U.S. Navy medical unit during the Iraq War, Gupta performed emergency surgery on both American soldiers and Iraqi civilians, including a operation on an Iraqi child. His actions in the field were reported by the U.S. Navy and drew attention to the dual nature of his professional identity as both a physician and a journalist.[6] He later reflected on the experience of operating under wartime conditions in Iraq.[7]
CNN and Broadcast Journalism
Gupta's career as a medical journalist has been centered at CNN, where he has served as chief medical correspondent for more than two decades.[1] In this role, he has reported on a wide range of medical and public health topics, appearing regularly on programs including American Morning, Larry King Live, Anderson Cooper 360°, and CNN Tonight.[2]
He hosted the long-running CNN program Sanjay Gupta MD, a weekly show focused on health and medical topics, for which he received multiple Emmy Awards.[1] He also hosted the six-part miniseries Chasing Life, in which he explored health and wellness practices from around the world.[2]
Gupta's field reporting has taken him to some of the most significant disaster zones and crisis events of the 21st century. His coverage from Charity Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 was among his most notable work. Reporting from inside the hospital as conditions deteriorated and patients faced dire circumstances, Gupta provided vivid accounts of the medical crisis unfolding in the city. This reporting earned him a 2006 Emmy Award for Outstanding Feature Story in a Regularly Scheduled Newscast.[2]
In January 2010, following the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti, Gupta traveled to the country to report on the disaster and its medical aftermath. His presence there was documented in photojournalistic coverage of the crisis.[8]
COVID-19 Pandemic Coverage
During the COVID-19 pandemic, which began in early 2020, Gupta became one of the most prominent medical voices in American broadcast media. He served as a frequent contributor to numerous CNN programs covering the crisis and co-hosted a weekly town hall with Anderson Cooper that addressed public questions about the virus, vaccines, and public health measures.[2] His role during the pandemic significantly increased his public visibility, as millions of Americans turned to television news for guidance on the rapidly evolving health crisis.
Medical Marijuana Reporting
Gupta has been notable for his reporting on the medical use of cannabis, which involved a public evolution of his position on the subject. He produced a series of documentary specials for CNN on medical marijuana, exploring the scientific evidence for its therapeutic applications as well as the legal and social controversies surrounding it.[9]
Controversy with Michael Moore
In 2007, Gupta was involved in a public dispute with filmmaker Michael Moore regarding the CNN fact-check of Moore's documentary Sicko, which examined the American healthcare system. Moore criticized Gupta's reporting on the film, and the exchange between the two became a widely discussed media event. The disagreement centered on specific claims made in the documentary and Gupta's on-air analysis of those claims.[10][11] The incident drew media commentary and analysis.[12]
AI Deepfakes and Misinformation
In 2025, Gupta publicly addressed the growing problem of artificial intelligence-generated misinformation in health media after discovering that scammers were using his likeness in deepfake videos and doctored images to sell fraudulent health products. In a CNN segment, Gupta denounced the practice, stating "That's not me," and warned the public about the dangers of AI-generated health misinformation.[13] The incident highlighted broader concerns about the exploitation of trusted public figures' identities for commercial fraud using emerging technology.
Podcast: Chasing Life
Gupta hosts the CNN podcast Chasing Life, which covers a range of health, science, and wellness topics. The podcast has explored subjects from pain management to the science of hibernation and its potential implications for space travel and medicine.[14][1]
Writing Career
In addition to his work in television and neurosurgery, Gupta has written extensively for print media and has authored four books. He published a column in Time magazine.[2]
His first book, Chasing Life: New Discoveries in the Search for Immortality to Help You Age Less Today, examined research into longevity and aging.[15] His second book, Cheating Death: The Doctors and Medical Miracles that Are Saving Lives Against All Odds, explored cases of medical intervention in life-threatening situations.[16]
Gupta's third book, Monday Mornings: A Novel, was a work of fiction drawing on his experience as a neurosurgeon. The novel depicted the behind-the-scenes culture of a hospital and the morbidity and mortality conferences where doctors review cases that resulted in complications or death.[17] The novel was adapted into a television series, Monday Mornings, which aired on TNT in 2013.
His fourth book, Keep Sharp: Build a Better Brain at Any Age, was published in January 2021 and focused on brain health, cognitive decline prevention, and neuroscience-based strategies for maintaining mental acuity.[2]
In September 2025, Gupta published another book on the subject of pain, drawing on both his personal experiences and his expertise as a neurosurgeon. In promoting the book, he spoke with NPR about the complexities of pain perception and treatment.[3]
Conference and Public Speaking
Gupta co-hosts the health conference "Life Itself," along with Marc Hodosh, co-creator of TEDMED. The conference brings together figures from the medical, scientific, and wellness communities.[2]
In December 2025, the American Psychiatric Association announced that Gupta would deliver the keynote address at the Opening Session of its 2026 Annual Meeting, scheduled for May 16, 2026. The APA described him as a "practicing neurosurgeon, bestselling author, and multiple Emmy Award–winning chief medical correspondent for CNN."[18] Gupta was announced to speak on the intersection of storytelling and mental health.[19]
Special Correspondent for CBS News
In addition to his primary role at CNN, Gupta has served as a special correspondent for CBS News, contributing medical reporting to the network's news programming.[2]
Personal Life
Gupta has three children.[2] He resides in the Atlanta, Georgia, area, where he maintains his clinical practice and academic appointment at Emory University.[1]
His brother, Suneel Gupta, is an author and entrepreneur who has also made public appearances discussing health and wellness topics.
Recognition
Gupta has received multiple Emmy Awards over the course of his broadcast journalism career.[1] His 2006 Emmy Award for Outstanding Feature Story in a Regularly Scheduled Newscast recognized his reporting from Charity Hospital in New Orleans during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.[2] He has received additional Emmy Awards for his work on Sanjay Gupta MD and other CNN programming.
Gupta is a member of the National Academy of Medicine, one of the highest professional distinctions in the fields of health and medicine in the United States. He is also a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.[2]
He has been invited to deliver keynote addresses and lectures at major medical and academic institutions, including a commencement address at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine.[20]
His work has been recognized by professional journalism organizations, and he has been the subject of profiles and coverage in major media outlets. A 2009 profile noted the breadth of his media presence and his unusual dual career as a surgeon and journalist.[21]
Gupta has also been covered in university media, including the Emory Wheel, the student newspaper of Emory University, which has reported on his work and appearances at the institution.[22]
Legacy
Through his sustained presence in both clinical neurosurgery and broadcast journalism, Gupta has become one of the most prominent physician-journalists in American media history. His ability to operate as a practicing surgeon while simultaneously serving as a chief medical correspondent for a major cable news network has defined a model of medical communication that bridges the gap between the clinical and public spheres.
His reporting during major crises — including Hurricane Katrina, the Haiti earthquake, the Iraq War, and the COVID-19 pandemic — has placed medical journalism at the center of some of the most significant news events of the early 21st century. By providing on-the-ground medical reporting in conflict and disaster zones, Gupta expanded the conventional boundaries of health journalism beyond the studio.
Gupta's work in educating the public about medical topics through television, podcasts, and books has reached audiences of millions. His Chasing Life podcast and his multiple nonfiction books have addressed topics ranging from brain health and longevity to pain management, contributing to public discourse on medicine and wellness.
His 2025 public stance against AI deepfakes exploiting his likeness underscored emerging challenges facing public figures in medicine and journalism, as artificial intelligence technology creates new avenues for health misinformation.[23]
His election to both the National Academy of Medicine and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences reflects recognition from both the medical and broader intellectual communities of his contributions to public health communication.[2]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 "Dr. Sanjay Gupta".CNN.https://www.cnn.com/profiles/sanjay-gupta-profile.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 "Sanjay Gupta | Biography, CNN, Books, & Facts".Encyclopedia Britannica.https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sanjay-Gupta.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Experiencing pain? Sanjay Gupta explains why 'It Doesn't Have to Hurt'".NPR.September 4, 2025.https://www.npr.org/2025/09/04/nx-s1-5527017/sanjay-gupta-pain.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
- ↑ "IASA History: 1990–1991".University of Michigan Indian American Student Association.http://www.umiasa.org/about-us/iasa-history/1990-1991/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
- ↑ "Journal of Neurosurgery publication".Journal of Neurosurgery.http://jnsonline.org/spine/issues/v97n1/pdf/s0970007.pdf.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
- ↑ "Navy story on Sanjay Gupta in Iraq".United States Navy.http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=50603.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
- ↑ "Gupta Iraq report".CNN.May 29, 2006.http://edition.cnn.com/2006/US/05/29/gupta.iraq.btsc/index.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
- ↑ "Haiti Struggles with Death and Destruction After Catastrophic Earthquake".Life.http://www.life.com/news-pictures/95855402/haiti-struggles-with-death-and-destruction-after-catastrophic-earthquake.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
- ↑ "CNN Special: Medical Marijuana".CNN.http://www.cnn.com/specials/health/medical-marijuana.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
- ↑ "Michael Moore response".MichaelMoore.com.http://www.michaelmoore.com/sicko/news/article_10017.php.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
- ↑ "CNN Transcript: The Situation Room".CNN.July 9, 2007.http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0707/09/sitroom.03.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
- ↑ "Health news analysis of Gupta-Moore dispute".University of Minnesota.http://blog.lib.umn.edu/schwitz/healthnews/075532.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
- ↑ "'That's not me': Dr. Gupta denounces use of AI to make fake product ads".CNN.July 31, 2025.https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/31/health/video/gupta-fake-ai-health-ads-digvid-16x9.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
- ↑ "How Hibernation Could Redefine Space Travel and Medicine".CNN.https://www.cnn.com/audio/podcasts/chasing-life/episodes/797aeebc-af5f-11f0-844b-f72180cce8ea.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
- ↑ "Chasing Life".Google Books.https://books.google.com/books?id=aQADmbbltXAC.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
- ↑ "Cheating Death".Google Books.https://books.google.com/books?id=8HYqSHLOVRoC.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
- ↑ "Monday Mornings".Google Books.https://books.google.com/books?id=ypIRN-fCRWsC.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
- ↑ "2026 Opening Session to Feature Dr. Sanjay Gupta".American Psychiatric Association.December 11, 2025.https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/meetings/annual-meeting/blog/2026-opening-session-to-feature-dr-sanjay-gupta.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
- ↑ "CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta on Storytelling and Mental Health".Psychiatry Online.https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.pn.2026.02.2.19.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
- ↑ "Pritzker School of Medicine Commencement".University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine.http://pritzker.uchicago.edu/about/news/commencement.shtml.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
- ↑ "Sanjay Gupta profile".Bradenton Herald.http://www.bradenton.com/living/story/1148201.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
- ↑ "Emory Wheel article on Sanjay Gupta".The Emory Wheel.http://www.emorywheel.com/detail.php?n=26387.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
- ↑ "'That's not me': Dr. Gupta denounces use of AI to make fake product ads".CNN.July 31, 2025.https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/31/health/video/gupta-fake-ai-health-ads-digvid-16x9.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
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