Last October, during the height of the Ebola epidemic in East Africa, NBC’s chief medical correspondent Dr. Nancy Snyderman defiantly broke quarantine on her return to the US. A freelance cameraman working with Snyderman’s team had contracted Ebola in Libera. As a result, Snyderman and her team agreed to a voluntary 21 day quarantine, the disease’s maximum incubation period. Two weeks into their quarantine, Snyderman and other members of her team were spotted getting takeout soup in NJ. When the press called her out on potentially spreading the deadly disease, Snyderman issued a dismissive non-apology. She said, in part, “As a health professional I know that we have no symptoms and pose no risk to the public, but I am deeply sorry for the concerns this episode caused.” After that incident, the quarantine was made mandatory for Snyderman and her group.

Snyderman is now leaving her post at NBC to work at an unnamed medical school. In a statement announcing the move, she cited the controversy over her refusal to adhere to Ebola quarantine guidelines as part of the reason she no longer wants the job.

“I stepped out of the OR a few years ago and it is now time for me to return to my roots, so I am stepping down from my position as Chief Medical Editor at NBC News. Covering the Ebola epidemic last fall in Liberia, and then becoming part of the story upon my return to the U.S., contributed to my decision that now is the time to return to academic medicine. I will be shortly taking up a faculty position at a major U.S. medical school. More needs to be done to communicate medicine and science to our viewers and citizens, especially in times of crisis, and with my experiences in the field and on air, that is going to be a priority for me.

“I have loved my nine years at NBC and I am proud of the work my team has done. Very few people get the chance to combine two professions and I have appreciated the chance to inform the public about medical updates and the plight of so many in other countries. Every moment has been an honor.”

[From Dr. Nancy Snyderman via Deadline]

As Kaiser said to me, at least Snyderman isn’t going to be treating any patients. This lady still doesn’t get it. She thinks it’s the press’s fault for catching her violating quarantine and making a big deal out of it when she knows best. What’s more is that she seems to be implying that the press was irresponsible and riled up the citizenry. “More needs to be done to communicate medicine and science to our viewers and citizens, especially in times of crisis.” She’s referring to the fact that she got called out, right?

Gawker points out that Snyderman may have sealed the deal by slurring through an NBC news segment on peanut allergies last month. She seemed drunk or on pills while struggling to explain the results of a new peanut allergy patch study. You can see that segment here.

Deadline lets us know that Snyderman’s departure may also have to do with a change in leadership at NBC News, which was content to cover for her arrogance at the time. NBC is thought to be hiring Andrew Lack to head up the news division. Lack previously ran NBC News from 1993 to 2001. It’s unknown what his return will mean for Brian Williams, although NBC Nightly News remains top in the ratings with Lester Holt anchoring. It’s doubtful Brian Williams is coming back. Snyderman likely quit before she could get fired. Maybe Williams should do the same.

photo credit: NBC