‘The fount of wisdom for New Yorkers during the pandemic’: CBS New York medical correspondent Dr Max Gomez dies aged 72 after battling long illness

CBS New York medical correspondent Dr. Max Gomez has passed away at the age of 72 after a long illness.

The award-winning journalist, affectionately known as Dr. Dubbed Max, became the face millions of New Yorkers looked to for advice during the pandemic.

Dr. Max was a medical reporter and health editor for WCBS-TV between 1994 and 1997 before returning as chief medical correspondent in June 2007.

He won New York Emmy Awards, Philadelphia Emmys, a UPI award for Best Documentary Feature for a Report on AIDS, and an Excellence in a Time of Crisis Award from the NYC Health Department for his coverage of the post-September 11 health problems.

‘Dr. Gomez was well loved and respected in our newsroom, by medical professionals he worked with, patients who shared their stories with him, and our viewers. CBS news wrote in a statement Sunday night.

CBS said Dr. Gomez has been a steady voice of reason during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Dr. Max was a medical reporter and health editor for WCBS-TV between 1994 and 1997

Ten years later, he returned as the network’s chief medical correspondent in June 2007

Gomez was born in Cuba before moving to Miami in the US with his family

“He was our in-house advisor for anything that was wrong with us, ready to help, genuinely concerned and never thinking about going the extra mile. His academic track was in health and science, but his deep medical knowledge and easygoing, relatable style led him to develop a strong presence in television.

“There was always a lot of depth in Dr. Gomez, but never more so than when he candidly shared some of his own medical challenges with his TV family. He was also a steadfast voice of reason during the COVID-19 pandemic,” the tribute read.

He also worked for Fox 5 New York and NBC 4 New York during his long career.

“He was one of the signature pieces of this place, as I like to call him,” said presenter Chris Wragge in a tribute posted by the station.

In addition to medical reporting, Dr. Gomez also contributed to three health and science books and served on several advisory boards

CBS health reporter Dr. Max Gomez, can be seen in a tribute video posted Sunday

“Certain places have fundamental pieces – Dr. Max was just one of those guys that every time you saw him you immediately identified him, not just as Dr. Max, as well as Dr. Max from CBS 2.”

“He was aligned with the viewer. You must be connected in this box. If there is no connection, there is no message. Dr. Max has mastered that,” said presenter Kristine Johnson in the tribute.

In addition to medical reporting, Dr. Gomez also contributed to three health and science books and served on several advisory boards.

He served on the national board of directors of the American Heart Association, the Princeton Alumni Weekly, and the Partnership for Afterschool Education.

Gomez crossed paths with presidents and popes during his time as a reporter

He was also a mentor to journalism students, particularly medical students and physicians interested in transitioning into medical journalism

He was also a mentor to journalism students, particularly medical students and physicians interested in transitioning into medical journalism.

Gomez was born in Cuba before moving to Miami in the US with his family.

After graduating cum laude from Princeton University, with a Ph.D. from Wake Forest University School of Medicine, he became a postdoctoral fellow of the National Institutes of Health at Rockefeller University in New York City.

“He could talk about anything: sports, travel, current events, the mundane or the esoteric. He was a friend, trusted advisor and confidant to all of us. It seemed like there was nothing he didn’t know or had experienced himself,” said a tribute written by CBS News contributors.

Dr. Gomez is survived by his children Max Gomez IV and Katie Gomez.