Dr. Tara Narula, a distinguished cardiologist with a rich history of contributions to major news networks including CBS, CNN, NBC, and Oprah Winfrey’s magazine, has been named the chief medical correspondent at ABC News. This appointment highlights the growing significance of medical reporting in an era where delivering accurate health information is crucial amidst increasing politicization of scientific research.
Dr. Tara Narula is a board-certified cardiologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan, where she holds the position of associate director of the women’s heart program. Her expertise extends to academia as she serves as an associate professor of cardiovascular medicine at the Zucker School of Medicine, Hofstra/Northwell. Further demonstrating her leadership in the field, Dr. Narula is the director of communications for the Katz Institute of Women’s Health at Northwell and a fellow of the American College of Cardiology.
Prior to joining ABC News, Dr. Tara Narula served as a medical correspondent at CNN during 2022 and 2023, and subsequently as a contributor to NBC News. Her transition to chief medical correspondent at ABC News underscores her established presence and credibility in broadcast journalism.
Debra OConnell, president of ABC News Group and Disney Entertainment Networks, expressed enthusiasm about the appointment, stating, “We are incredibly excited for Dr. Narula to join ABC News, working across our programs and stations, as part of our ongoing commitment to offer our audiences fact-based health and medical news.” This statement emphasizes ABC News’ dedication to providing reliable health information to its viewers, a commitment Dr. Tara Narula is well-equipped to uphold.
The role of chief medical correspondent at ABC News was previously held by Dr. Jen Ashton, who has since been elevated to a more prominent position as a co-host on “GMA3.” Dr. Ashton played a vital role in informing the public during the coronavirus pandemic, illustrating the critical function of medical correspondents in contemporary news. Like CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta and CBS News’ Jonathan LaPook, Dr. Tara Narula will be tasked with translating intricate details of biology, disease, and scientific advancements into understandable information for a broad audience. This role has become increasingly challenging due to the widespread dissemination of misinformation, particularly through social media platforms.
Dr. Tara Narula’s impressive academic background includes degrees in economics and biology from Stanford University. She earned her medical degree from the USC Keck School of Medicine, completed her residency in internal medicine at Harvard University/Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and pursued her fellowship training in cardiology at New York Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medical Center. Since 2010, Dr. Narula has been providing outpatient consultative care at Lenox Hill Heart & Vascular Institute of New York, maintaining her connection to patient care alongside her media career.
Adding to the medical expertise at ABC News, Dr. Darien Sutton will continue in his role as medical correspondent, reporting across various ABC News programs and platforms in conjunction with Dr. Tara Narula.
In response to her appointment, Dr. Tara Narula stated, “I am honored to join one of the most trusted news organizations in this role. I learned early on from my father who is a physician that working in the medical field is a privilege, and now, I look forward to reporting on new health and medical advancements in wellness and resiliency, and helping people live their best lives.” This reflects Dr. Narula’s dedication to both the medical profession and to public service through journalism, aiming to empower individuals with crucial health knowledge.
