What are Mehmet Oz's medical qualifications and board certifications?
Executive summary
Mehmet C. Oz holds an M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania (joint M.D.–M.B.A. with Wharton) and an undergraduate degree from Harvard [1] [2]. Multiple profiles and medical directories list him as a board‑certified cardiothoracic/thoracic surgeon (described variously as “board‑certified cardiothoracic surgeon,” “board certified thoracic surgeon,” and “board certified in Thoracic Cardiovascular Surgery”) and he has long been identified as a professor and surgeon affiliated with Columbia/NewYork‑Presbyterian [2] [3] [4] [5] [6].
1. Academic pedigree: Ivy League medical and business degrees
Oz earned his undergraduate degree at Harvard then completed a joint M.D.–M.B.A. at the University of Pennsylvania (Perelman School of Medicine and Wharton Business School), a credential repeated across institutional bios and news profiles [1] [2] [7]. These degrees underpin his biography as a surgeon, researcher and health‑policy figure [8] [7].
2. Surgical training and academic appointments: Columbia and NewYork‑Presbyterian
After medical school, Oz completed residencies in general and cardiothoracic surgery at Columbia‑Presbyterian (Columbia University) and later served on Columbia’s faculty and at NewYork‑Presbyterian, where he directed cardiovascular programs and was described as a leader in heart‑assist device work and minimally invasive approaches [1] [2] [8] [7].
3. Board certifications: how sources describe them
Commercial biographies and provider directories consistently describe Oz as board certified in thoracic/cardiothoracic surgery. Examples: a Doximity profile labels him a “board certified thoracic surgeon” [3]; Healthline/FindCare and Sharecare list him as board certified in Thoracic Cardiovascular Surgery or Thoracic Cardiovascular Surgery respectively [4] [5]; speaker and media bios call him a “board‑certified cardiothoracic surgeon” [6]. These portrayals align with longstanding listings on Columbia/NewYork‑Presbyterian archival pages noted in fact‑checks [9].
4. Public record and verification: what the reporting notes
A LeadStories fact check notes a New York State license entry for “OZ MEHMET CENGIZ” and an archived Columbia page that previously listed Oz’s board certifications and clinical areas of expertise; the fact check emphasizes that his “doctor” title reflects a medical license and prior board listings rather than a mere marketing nickname [9]. The AMA Journal of Ethics piece also states Oz “retains both his faculty position and his board certification,” reflecting academic commentary on his status [10].
5. Discrepancies and nuance in labels
Sources use slightly different wording—“cardiothoracic surgeon,” “thoracic surgeon,” and “thoracic cardiovascular surgery”—which reflect how directories and bios condense formal board titles for general audiences [3] [4] [5]. Available sources do not provide the exact certifying board name or the specific certification dates and current standing from the American Board of Medical Specialties database in the documents supplied here (not found in current reporting).
6. Credentials vs. controversies: background context
Reporting and academic commentary also emphasize that Oz’s medical degrees and surgical credentials coexist with criticism about his media practice and promotion of alternative or unproven therapies; the Wikipedia and TIME entries and the AMA Journal of Ethics discussion document both his research and his controversies [11] [8] [10]. The criticism does not deny his medical education or board certification in the sources provided; it frames concern around his public health messaging [11] [10].
7. What documents would close remaining gaps
To fully document exact board certification—including issuing board name (for example, American Board of Thoracic Surgery or similar), certification numbers, and current certification/maintenance‑of‑certification status—one must consult primary registries such as the ABMS physician verification tool or state medical board records; those specific registry extracts are not included in the current source set (available sources do not mention ABMS entries or certification dates).
8. Bottom line for readers
Available reporting and institutional bios establish that Mehmet Oz is a licensed physician with an M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania (joint M.D.–M.B.A.), surgical training at Columbia‑Presbyterian, long faculty affiliation at Columbia/NewYork‑Presbyterian, and multiple contemporary profiles describing him as board certified in thoracic/cardiothoracic surgery [2] [1] [3] [4] [5]. For precise, up‑to‑date verification of the specific board and certification status, consult ABMS or the relevant state medical board records; those registry details are not in the provided sources (available sources do not mention ABMS certification records).