Dr. Mehmet Oz has no intention of resigning from his post as vice chairman of the surgery department of the Columbia University Medical Center.
The celebrity physician, known for his syndicated medical TV program, clearly isn't going down without a fight despite a formidable movement to oust him from the Ivy League school.
Oz is vowing to refute claims made by a group of Columbia doctors who sent an email missive to the university this past week, labeling Oz a "quack, a fake and a charlatan." The email was sent to Lee Goldman, dean of Columbia's Faculties of Health Sciences and Medicine.
The controversial doctor has hosted his Dr. Oz Show for five years.
In quick fashion, Oz issued his response, rebutting the claims in a statement and on social media:
"I bring the public information that will help them on their path to be their best selves," Oz wrote on his show's Facebook page. "We provide multiple points of view, including mine, which is offered without conflict of interest. That doesn't sit well with certain agendas which distort the facts." He promised to address the allegations on his show this upcoming week.
Columbia, for its part, has released an official statement.
"The school is committed to the principle of academic freedom and to upholding faculty members' freedom of expression for statements they make in public discussion," the institution said.
The email to oust Oz, signed by a group of 10 physicians, claims Oz is perpetuating disputable medical advice and products and is providing TV endorsements for supposed healing aids, such as raspberry ketones and green coffee bean extract.
Oz, a cardiothoracic surgeon, has been on staff at Columbia as a faculty member for 22 years. His road to TV began with appearances on Oprah Winfrey's widely popular talk show.
This is not the first time the 54-year-old Harvard graduate has found himself defending his show, his promotion of products and his reputation.
In June 2014, Oz found himself testifying before lawmakers on Capitol Hill after being accused of endorsing and promoting medically unsafe and unproven products. He acknowledged to a Senate panel that a diet supplement he recommended on his show did not have the scientific evidence to support his contentions.
