Spokesperson fiasco #9: Robert Jarvik isn't really a doctor but plays one on TV

Just because he dosn't practice he's still a doctor your still a doctor

SOME OF THE GREATEST MINDS IN MEDICINE HAVE NOT BEEN DOCTORS..LIST,PASTUERE TO NAME BUT A FEW...WERE IT NOT FOR THESE MEN MODERN MEDICNE WITH STERILE PROCEDURES AND THE INVENTION OF VACCINES WOULD NOT EXCIST ....TO NAME BUT A FEW THINGS MEN AND WOMAN WITHOUT MEDICAL DEGREES HAVE DONE FOR SCIENCE....

The time on this post can't be right. It says "July 20th" but as I type this, it is only July 18th (Asia).

What's the big deal? Everyone identifies the artificial heart with "Dr." Jarvick and he is, in fact, a DOCTOR, whether he is currently licensed to practice or not. I saw the Jarvick commercials and thought they were well done. I think Pfizer overreacted and "buckled under" to the media. $258 million dollars is a hefty price tag. I'd tell the "media" to butt out and let the consumers decide. I, for one, have absolutely no problem with "Dr" Jarvick endorsing the product. Come on Pfizer, show some guts!

Yes, lots good things have come into being in the world of medicine by those who didn't hold MDs. But this article is NOT about those people. The bottom line of this article is that the drug companies will use ALL the tools in their toolbox (sometimes the 'tools' are not quite 'ethical') to sell their product. And often times long before there's enough research to back up their claims, these drugs are marketed. Its really about marketing...just like any other product out there. You gotta do your homework about pharmaceuticals and medical procedures. If something's on the market in a rather short amount of time, maybe the 'guinea pig' phase isn't over yet. Know what I mean? Be your own best guardian.

The whole point is that the drug companies have hi-jacked the medical profession. All the new information doctors get comes from the drug companies. The drugging of America started many years ago. Drug companies are NOT your buddies. And doctors are not gods. Cut off the TV and do your own research and for your own sake THINK.

The inventor of the artificial heart was Paul Winchell, the Ventriloquist with "Jerry Mahoney" and "Knucklehead Smiff". He was also the voice of "Tigger" as well as many other cartoon characters. Go to www.paulwinchell.com/artificialheart.htm for the real story. Dr. Jarvick was a non-licensed M.D. and also has his PhD. in bio-engineering, hence, he modified Paul Winchell's patented artificial heart to make it "human sized" rather than the much larger original. Read the story, then decide if the drug company "twisted" the facts. I don't do Pfizer for anything because they can't be trusted and no wonder prescription drug prices are so high for the consumer. All the "perks" that Doctors and clinics receive from drug companies sales personnel are another rediculous reason.

Injustice! His father was my family doctor when I was growing up...a truely kind person and professional who always had the best interests of his patients in mind. I believe that Robert is a "Chip off the block" who also had good intentions for the public by promoting medicine that he believed in like his dad! This is only a disgrace to the company who has disgraced Robert and this wonderful family in my opinion.

If he didn't invent it, why then is it named the "Jarvick Heart". He may not have made much cash from the original invention, but why blame him for trying to cash in on it any way he could later on?

If he didn't invent it, why then is it named the "Jarvick Heart". He may not have made much cash from the original invention, but why blame him for trying to cash in on it any way he could later on?

He didn't invent the artifical heart either. Do your home work, it was Paul Wintchell who invented it but gave the patent to the University of Utah for the greater good. They quickly kicked him to the curb and thus kravik got credit for it. Google "Paul Wintchell" (who is also the voice of "tigger" in winnie the pooh.

I have met "dr" Jarvick. He is a total jerk. No one ever wants to work with him because he is a disgrace to medicine. He did 10% of work to create the artificial heart and and he took 100% credit.

Disgrace? What disgrace? AOL even puts "doctor" in quotes although apparently Dr. Jarvik has earned both an MD and a PhD, so he's a doctor two times over whatever he says or does.

AOL owes this man an apology and perhaps, if he wishes to make an issue of it, Dr. Jarvik could and should successfully sue them for libel.

With respect to the medical credential, an MD degree and a license to practice are two totally separate things. What's more there is no need to be a board certified cardiologist to do successful research on heart-related issues.

Patents are also issued for major improvements to existing inventions. Making a device small enough to be usable for its intended human application seems to be a pretty significant improvement on the general concept invented by another. Hardly fraud.

Who cares whether he rows or not? Actors have stand-ins all the time, and nobody bats an eye.

The disgrace here is AOL libeling the man, and Pfizer showing no moral gumption to defend him.

How can we get the networks to quit advertising these drugs which make pharmaceutical companies even richer? Shouldn't your personal physician be the one to make recommendations on what you should take?

How many "lawyers" with law degrees who never took let alone passed the bar are presented as such? Once one attains an advanced degree, there are many ways to go besides professional practice (along with its malpractice fees) and for someone who goes into research maintaining this illusion (including years Continuing Education Credits) is an expensive, time-consuming, and sometimes plain irrelevant set of activities. Dr. Jarvik is doubtless not the first person put in a pleasing environment (rowing)--perhaps he even took it up? There's always a way to sling mud at someone. Those Viva Viagra ads may be the only window many people ever have into a recording session, too! Be real? Who is real? As Dr. Greg House says, "Everyone lies." That's honesty!

There are plenty of real notorious frauds out there.
Why pick on someone like Jarvik when in fact he is a doctor whether licensed or not? (Not to mention that Lipitor is fantastic drug that many people owe there extention of life to)

Drug companys should be shut off on all advertising. I can't believe Congress can't stop the drug companys.....OH I forgot, It's all that special interest money congress gets from the drug companys.

I can see where people are thinking this is misleading. You hear the work 'doctor' and think that they practice medicine. There is nothing wrong with calling him a Doctor, he earned that title though many years of schooling. As for the invention claim. I believe the commercial credited him as "the inventor of the Jarvik Artificial Heart", not all artificial hearts, or even the first artificial heart, so I'm pretty sure its an accurate claim.

The article would have more credibility if they spelled the name Jarvik correctly.

PetRock. Of course, you are right. Thanks for pointing out. I have fixed.