Will Sanjay Gupta leave CNN for Obama?

Imagine, if you will, that President-Elect Barack Obama asks you to come work for his new administration. Yes, you can also imagine that you're a neurosurgeon who's also a TV personality on CNN and CBS. So, what would you say if Mr. Obama asked you to come work for the White House?

That's the question facing Dr. Sanjay Gupta, who was asked to be surgeon general, a fact that he confirmed today. The CNN health reporter was offered the job as America's top doc, a role that hasn't been filled by anyone with real influence since Dr. C. Everett Koop.

Dr. Gupta is reportedly contemplating the request, but if I were him, I'd say yes. Sanjay Gupta is someone who wants to make a difference. As CNN's chief medical correspondent, he's been all around the world reporting on health issues.

He's won awards -- a Peabody and an Emmy -- and he's helped to educate millions of people. That's impressive, but as the surgeon general, he could do even more.

For starters, if Dr. Gupta is the surgeon general -- the country's doctor -- there's no need for a public service campaign to introduce him to the public. Most people probably know who he is already, so he could hit the ground running on whatever public health issues the Obama administration deems most important.

Also, this opportunity would only enhance Sanjay Gupta's reputation. He could always come back to TV in the future, so I say, "go for it."