Columbia Faculty Members Offer Partial Defense Of Dr. Oz In USA Today

Last week a group of 10 top physicians called for Mehmet Oz's dismissal from Columbia University, where the celebrity doctor currently serves as vice chair of the school's surgery department. The doctors, led by Stanford University's Henry Miller, accused Oz of "promoting quack treatments and cures in the interest of personal financial gain."

The embattled Oz, for his part, has vowed to "not be silenced" and "not give in."

On Thursday, eight members of Columbia's medical faculty offered a partial defense of Oz in an op-ed published by USA Today. Though the faculty members admitted that "unsubstantiated medicine sullies the reputation of Columbia University and undermines the trust that is essential to physician-patient relationships," they do not believe Oz's actions are grounds for termination from the institution.

"Non-evidence based medical recommendations presented without the appropriate caveats are costly and potentially harmful," the article reads. "However, unless these foibles can be shown to render Dr. Oz inadequate or ineffective at Columbia, there is no justification for forcing him to resign from a well-earned position in academic medicine."

The faculty members also added that since being hired by Columbia in 1993, the doctor has consistently received positive reviews from both his peers and patients. The Huffington Post has reached out to Dr. Oz for comment.

The piece concluded by suggesting Oz begin each episode of his program with a disclaimer: "The opinions expressed on this program may not be evidence-based or part of accepted medical practice and have no endorsement from Columbia University."