Dr Sanjay Gupta, the chief medical correspondent for the US cable news channel CNN, withdrew his name from consideration for becoming surgeon general in the administration of US President Barack Obama, the latest in a series of personnel setbacks for Obama, dpa reported.
Gupta, 39, in an interview Thursday with CNN host Larry King, gave personal and professional reasons for his decision, chiefly the fact that the birth of his third daughter was imminent and he did not want to spend more time away from his family.
"Well, first of all, it was a really tough decision and a long decision and a long process for sure," Gupta said.
"You know, this job that we have collectively takes us away from our children for so many years at once, and I sort of came to grips with the fact that I'd probably be away at least the first several years, ... and I just didn't feel like I should do that now," he said.
Furthermore, becoming surgeon general would have prevented him from practising neurosurgery, he added.
"It's an important part of my life, and I work at a county hospital," Gupta said. :That's the hospital I've chosen to work at in Atlanta, and I really enjoy that."
While not officially nominated for the position, Gupta was widely expected to be named surgeon general. The television expert has been "seriously considered," CNN quoted a high-ranking official in Obama's administration as saying.