Norwalk Hospital Docs Take to the (Cable) Air

He might have taken the Hippocratic Oath, but when it comes to broadcasting, Dr. Eric M. Mazur's allegiance hews toward more telegenic and contemporary doctors – Oz and Gupta – to name a couple.

Dr. Mazur co-hosts Cablevision's "Health Talk" along with his colleague, Dr. Andrea Peterson, of Fairfield. But his day job is considerably less Hollywood-esque: he is a hematologist and vice president and chief medical officer of Norwalk Hospital.

He is also a self-proclaimed "ham."

"Everyone dreams of being on TV," says Dr. Mazur, who lives in Weston. "I have a medical career that I love, but I'm also able to channel my inner Walter Mitty so I can make believe I'm a star."

The 30-minute show, which airs on Cablevision's channel 84, debuted in 2002. Its format includes interviews with physicians and health professionals on health issues and wellness topics. "We brainstorm about what kinds of themes we'd like to cover," he says. "Generally we'll consider topics that are being discussed in the medical community and in the general public – issues that are timely and important," he says. But perhaps most critically, the objective of the show, he says, is to promote wellness and early detection through discussion. "That's where we can really have a broader impact on the general public."

He says his television experience has surprised him in many ways. "First of all, I must say that being on camera is a lot harder than it looks," he says. "I have a tremendous amount of respect for those professionals – like Dr. Oz and Dr. Sanjay Gupta – who do it so well on a regular basis."

But perhaps more importantly, he says, his on-camera stint has broadened his knowledge as a physician. "From doing this show I've probably learned more about different realms of medicine than I ever would have. It's absolutely enhanced my awareness and understanding of medicine," says Dr. Mazur.

And nothing beats having a chance to channel one's inner ham.

Click here to suggest topics for Health Talk. 

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