Forget the yellow-brick road—Dr. Mehmet Oz is following the Oprah Winfrey-paved path to syndication glory. But not before being bid farewell by the talk queen herself.
After five years, 55 appearances, countless pounds coaxed off and even more embarrassing questions answered, Dr. Oz officially hangs up his stethoscope on today's Oprah Winfrey Show, as he prepares to swap Chicago for New York and launch his own Winfrey-produced series this fall.
"He has taught us how our bodies work, how to get healthier, how to live longer," Oprah said of the man she's dubbed America's Doctor. "And he's made medical mumbo jumbo that doctors sometimes speak make sense to us."
The show takes a winding trip down memory lane, reliving some of Dr. Oz's more memorable show highlights, most of which involve red-faced, doctor-shy viewer—in addition to a surprise reunion between the good doctor and a baby he helped, but was unable to maintain contact with, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
At the show's end, Oprah sent off her newest protégé with a champagne toast.
"I'd like for all of us to raise our glasses to an honorable man who has been a great teacher and a great healer," she said. "Bringing us all closer to better health, better wisdom and a better life for ourselves."
Dr. Oz returned the compliment in kind.
"I have enjoyed every moment of everything we have done together," he said. "I've become a better doctor, a better father and, I think, a better human being because I've been able to work with you on these, and I promise you, I will make you proud."
The Dr. Oz Show premieres Sept. 14.
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