Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Corzine Won't Talk to the Times, But His Doctors Will
By
Jen Chung
Published May 13, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published May 13, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The NY Times' Lawrence Altman, a reporter who is also a doctor, writes about NJ Governor Corzine's medical treatment after his April 12 car accident. For any medical procedure (or procedural) buffs, it's an illuminating look at how medical professionals react to treating high-profile medical figures all while just trying to do the best job they can.
For instance, Cooper University Hospital's chief trauma orthopedist was watching the Phillies-Mets game at his home in Philadelphia when the announcer "interrupted to say that Gov. Jon S. Corzine was being flown to Cooper." So Dr. Robert F. Ostrum called Cooper to say he'd be heading in..
The doctors also discussed how Corzine's broken leg - which pierced through the skin - required an extended metal rod, how he was very lucky not to have any heart or lung damage, and how they monitored him for signs of paralysis. They even quizzed him on NJ current affairs to check out how his pain medication was affecting him: Corzine liked talking about sports a lot.
But the most fascinating part of the article is what isn't there. Altman writes:
Mr. Corzine still needs strong painkillers that can impair judgment, but he has not allowed the doctors to disclose the drugs’ names or share his X-rays or medical chart. He has also refused The New York Times’s repeated requests for interviews.
But in lengthy conversations with this reporter, who is a physician, the medical team that saved his life revealed many new details about Mr. Corzine’s injuries, his treatment and the first three and a half weeks of his recovery.
Hmm. Why won't Corzine talk to the Times? Corzine has spoken to the AP and Star-Ledger. Is he mad about their past coverage of him? The Times did point out that Corzine spent very little time in NJ while governor, but it's not like they put him on the cover as a crash test dummy the way the Post did. We suspect that Corzine must have given his doctors permission to talk to the Times (we're hazy on public disclosure of public officials' health status) - what do you think?
At any rate, NJ lawmakers are trying to be on the best behavior for the recovering governor - the Star-Ledger reports that Democratic Assembly members are trying to be cooperative, since Corzine said he had little patience for political infighting.
Photograph of Corzine at the NJ Governor's mansion by Mel Evans/AP
Tagged
affairs
car accident
Cooper University Hospital
crash
drugs
events
governor
Governor Corzine
health
hospital
lawrence
Mel Evans
mets
new york
new york times
News: NYC
nj
nj governor
NJ Governor Corzine
ny times
philadelphia
phillies
Robert F
sports
The New York
the new york times
The NY
the ny times
the times
university
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Plainclothes ICE agent with long gun looked like mass shooter, Mayor Mamdani says
The mayor said his administration would review ICE and NYPD actions surrounding Thursday’s shooting.
By
Michael Sol Warren
Published Oct 11, 2026
NJ Transit riders face 5 weeks of schedule disruptions starting Sunday
NJ Transit and Amtrak riders should prepare for cancellations, schedule changes and longer commutes as work continues on the new Portal North Bridge.
By
Giulia Heyward
News
NJ Transit riders face 5 weeks of schedule disruptions starting Sunday
NJ Transit and Amtrak riders should prepare for cancellations, schedule changes and longer commutes as work continues on the new Portal North Bridge.
By
Giulia Heyward
For a Democrat in a traditionally red NJ district, how to woo Republican voters
By
Mike Hayes
2 pedestrians killed in Bronx crash after driver ran red light, police say
By
Brittany Kriegstein
and
Ann Givens
Rain could put a damper on NYC’s long weekend. Here’s when it will clear.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .