Dean Baquet Has Cancerous Tumor Removed

NY Times Editor Undergoes Surgery For Cancer
Los Angeles Times Editor Dean Baquet listens to a question after addressing the Associated Press Managing Editors conference in New Orleans Thursday Oct. 26,2006. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
Los Angeles Times Editor Dean Baquet listens to a question after addressing the Associated Press Managing Editors conference in New Orleans Thursday Oct. 26,2006. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)

Dean Baquet will be missing from the New York Times' office this week after having a malignant tumor removed from his kidney on Saturday.

The new executive editor of the Times told staffers in an email Monday morning that doctors found the tumor on Thursday and decided it needed "immediate attention." Baquet assured his newsroom that he would be back "as soon as possible" and that his doctors have given him an "excellent prognosis."

"I know this comes as we are all trying to move forward in the newsroom," he wrote.

Baquet was promoted to executive editor just one month ago after former editor Jill Abramson was fired. Baquet has yet to name a new managing editor to work below him, but he told the newsroom in his email that he would be keeping "in touch" with the paper's leaders while he stayed at home to recover.

Read the full memo below:

To the Staff:

As some of you may have noticed, I've been out of the office for the past few days. On Thursday, doctors found a malignant tumor on my kidney that they felt required immediate attention. I had minimally invasive, completely successful surgery on Saturday and my doctors have given me an excellent prognosis. I will be out of the office for about a week while I mend.

I know this comes as we are all trying to move forward in the newsroom. During my absence, I will be in touch with the newsroom leadership - perhaps more than they like - and we will continue to push ahead with various initiatives.

One thing I know will not stall or even slow is our amazing news report. Just in the last few days, we have shown the tremendous power of our reporting as American politics and the Mideast were simultaneously upended and the World Cup matches began in Brazil. Every day's report makes me more honored to be part of the newsroom and I assure you that I will be back there as soon as possible.

Dean

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