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.