CBS 2 Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Max Gomez dies

Longtime CBS New York chief medical correspondent Dr. Max Gomez — who guided New Yorkers through the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic — died Saturday, the station said in a touching tribute. He was 72 years old.

Gomez, affectionately known as Dr. Max, died after a long illness, according to CBS 2. His death was the second time this summer that the station faced tragedy following the sudden death of their well-known meteorologist. loved Elise Finch in July at the age of 51.

Gomez started as CBS NY’s chief medical correspondent in 2007 after a previous stint at the station from 1994 to 1997 as a medical reporter and health editor.

“Dr. Gomez was deeply loved and respected in our newsroom, by the healthcare professionals he worked with, by the patients who shared their stories with him, and by our viewers,” the channel wrote in tribute to the journalist.

“He was our in-house consultant for all of our issues, eager to help, genuinely concerned and never shy away from going the extra mile.”

Gomez has won multiple New York Emmys and a Lifetime Achievement in Crisis Award from the city’s health department after 9/11, among many other accolades. He also worked for Fox 5 New York and NBC 4 New York during his distinguished career, CBS said.

“He was one of the iconic pieces of this place, as I like to call it,” presenter Chris Wragge said in a tribute posted by the station. “Some places have foundational elements – Dr. Max was just one of those guys that every time you saw him you immediately identified him not only as Dr. Max, but also as Dr. Max from CBS 2.”

Other colleagues hailed him as a dedicated correspondent, able to connect with viewers and genuinely caring about the people he helped.

These characteristics were paramount at the start of COVID-19, when the Big Apple was the first part of the country to be crushed by high numbers of cases and deaths.

“He was in tune with the viewer,” presenter Kristine Johnson said in the tribute. “In this job, you have to have a connection. If there is no connection, then there is no message. Dr. Max has mastered this.

Other colleagues also paid tribute to Gomez on social media.

“His intelligence, surpassed only by his caring heart,” CBS 2 reporter Tony Aiello tweeted. “A source of wisdom during the pandemic for CBS2 viewers and staff. Always available to help when our loved ones are faced with health problems.

Gomez, who emigrated with his family from Cuba where he was born, earned his doctorate. from Wake Forest School of Medicine after earning an undergraduate degree at Princeton University. The co-author of three books on health and science has met with presidents and popes on various advisory boards he has served on, the outlet said.

He is survived by his children, Max Gomez IV and Katie Gomez.