Dr. Jeff Announces Retirement Amid Health Battle with Chronic Kidney Disease
*By Sandra Miller | Health & Wellness Today | September 10, 2025*
**New York City** – In an emotional press conference held early Tuesday morning, Dr. Jeffrey “Jeff” Langston, a renowned physician, author, and medical TV personality, announced his retirement from public life due to a recent diagnosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Dr. Jeff, 63, revealed that he will be stepping back from all professional responsibilities to focus on his health and prepare for an upcoming kidney surgery scheduled in the coming weeks.
Fighting back tears, Dr. Jeff addressed a room full of reporters, colleagues, and longtime supporters at the Mount Grace Medical Center, where he has served as the Chief of Internal Medicine for over 15 years.
> “This is not how I imagined this chapter of my life beginning,” Dr. Jeff said. “But life has its own plans, and today, I have to make a difficult but necessary decision to retire from medicine and step away from the public spotlight to prioritize my health and my family.”
### A Distinguished Career
Dr. Jeff’s announcement marks the end of a decades-long career that has influenced countless patients and inspired millions through his compassionate approach to healthcare. Known for his groundbreaking work in preventative medicine and patient advocacy, Dr. Jeff first gained national attention in the early 2000s through his best-selling book *“The Healing Hour”*, followed by his widely acclaimed TV segment, *“Ask Dr. Jeff”*, which ran for ten years on national television.
Beyond his on-screen presence, Dr. Jeff was a fierce advocate for underserved communities and a champion of mental health integration in primary care. His peers have described him as “a voice of reason in a chaotic medical system,” and his patients often called him “the doctor who actually listens.”
### A Personal Health Battle
Dr. Jeff’s diagnosis came earlier this summer after a series of routine blood tests showed declining kidney function. Subsequent imaging and consultation with nephrologists confirmed that he is in stage 4 chronic kidney disease—just one step away from kidney failure.
> “I’ve spent my life helping others navigate their illnesses,” he said. “But facing your own chronic disease is a humbling experience. It forces you to reevaluate everything—including how much time you have left to make memories with the people you love.”
He confirmed that he is scheduled to undergo kidney surgery—possibly a transplant or an advanced intervention—in the coming weeks. While he refrained from disclosing the exact nature of the procedure, he emphasized the urgency and complexity of the situation.
### Support from the Medical Community
Following the announcement, tributes poured in from across the medical world. Dr. Alicia Ramirez, current president of the American College of Physicians, issued a statement praising Dr. Jeff’s legacy:
> “Dr. Langston has been a trailblazer and mentor to countless physicians. His contributions to internal medicine will resonate for generations. Our thoughts are with him as he begins this difficult chapter.”
Colleagues at Mount Grace Medical Center also expressed their admiration, with many gathering outside the auditorium to give him a standing ovation as he exited the press conference.
### A Message of Hope
Despite the grim nature of his diagnosis, Dr. Jeff ended his speech on a hopeful note.
> “I may be retiring from medicine, but I will never stop being an advocate for health. If anything, this battle has reminded me how precious life is and how urgently we need to improve kidney disease awareness and treatment options for everyone—not just public figures like me.”
He also hinted at the possibility of documenting his journey in a future memoir or public health campaign, stating, “This isn’t goodbye forever. Just goodbye for now.”
### What’s Next?
Dr. Jeff plans to spend the next few months surrounded by close friends and family at his countryside home in upstate New York. While he has not ruled out a return to writing or advocacy in the future, he emphasized that recovery is his top priority.
As the medical world prepares to say farewell to one of its most beloved figures, Dr. Jeff’s legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire future generations of doctors, patients, and viewers alike.
1 Comment
My prayers will always be with you. I am going to miss not seeing you on TV, but I will watch rerun’s I even have your phone number, and I live in Syracuse N.Y. because if my Bella needed help, I was willing to call you and fly to your office so you can see her. But she is good I am loving her every day. Well now it’s your turn.