After 25 years as ABC News chief medical correspondent, Dr. Tim Johnson is stepping aside from fulltime duties at ABC News. Dr. Richard Besser, who joined ABC last summer from the CDC, is being named Chief Health & Medical editor. Johnson will stay on as a medical contributor.
More in a note from ABC News president David Westin.
From: Westin, David
Sent: Tuesday, October 05, 2010 2:23 PM
To: ABCTV News ALL
Cc: Sweeney, Anne
Subject: Our Medical Team
Over the summer, Tim Johnson came to me and asked to step down as our Chief Medical Editor. Tim has been our guide and our voice on medical issues for 25 years. No one could have asked for a better one. But, there are other things he is eager to do – including both writing on health care reform, which he has already begun with his new book, “The Truth About Getting Sick in America,” and putting aside his beeper. I’m happy to say that Tim has agreed to remain a part of ABC News as our Senior Medical Contributor. He will continue to appear on our broadcasts from time to time and contribute to ABCNews.com.
I’m also delighted to announce that Dr. Richard Besser has become our Chief Health and Medical Editor. In his time here, Rich has quickly established himself as a worthy heir to what Tim created. He is extremely knowledgeable, communicates his knowledge to the audience beautifully, and is (like Tim) a wonderful person. Already he has reported on the tragedies in Haiti and Pakistan and has made daily appearances on GMA and World News explaining the latest medical news to our audience. He’s also had ground-breaking investigations into Fosomax and cord blood banking.
Please join me in congratulating Tim and Rich on their new positions.