Mehmet Oz

Professor Surgeon, a Turk descendant, and an America’s favourite doctor.

Once Eric Ripert, an executive chef and ceo of Le Bernardin, NY met him, he wouldn't have any idea who Mehmet was – a fact that even then put him in a minority. Mehmet, actually is a Columbia University heart surgeon, 47, who now has a series of best selling health books and Dr. Oz TV show with Oprah Winfrey, was already a famous face. As the chef talked with Mehmet, it became clear that he was intrigued by Mehmet's work in the hospital as Mehmet was by his in the kitchen of Le Bernardin. Once on an occasion, they agreed to try out each other’s job.

For two days, Ripert went to the OR with Mehmet, followed him on his rounds and even tried operating on a pig heart. He thought He did it well but later learned that if the heart had belonged to a human, the patient would have died. Mehmet did a lot better in his world than he did in his. Mehmet immediately took charge of his kitchen, was completely at ease leading his team of 40 cooks and even took time to greet guests. But it was not when Mehmet was interacting with diners and cooks that he learned the most about Mehmet; it was when Mehmet was interacting with patients. Ripert was impressed. According to him, Mehmet is a man of extraordinary compassion and strength, remarkably suited both to caring for his own patients and to carrying a message of health to a larger world.

Perhaps when you’ve had the powerful experience of opening human hearts, you find it a little easier to open your own.

references:
Columbia University Medical Center