Doctor: Fetterman Is 'Recovering Well' From Stroke

He says candidate is fit for 'full duty in public office,' though he still has auditory processing issues
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 19, 2022 5:10 PM CDT
Doctor: Fetterman Can Work 'Full Duty in Public Office'
Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman speaks during a campaign event at the Steamfitters Technology Center in Harmony, Pa., Oct. 18, 2022.   (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

While Dr. Oz might not agree, Dr. Chen says Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman is fit to "work full duty in public office." The Senate candidate, who had a stroke days before the Democratic primary in May, released a letter Wednesday from his doctor, Clifford Chen at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, NBC reports. Chen said the 53-year-old is "recovering well from his stroke and his health has continued to improve." Fetterman "spoke intelligently without cognitive deficits," the doctor wrote.

Chen said Fetterman's "speech was normal and he continues to exhibit symptoms of an auditory processing disorder which can come across as hearing difficulty. Occasional words he will 'miss' which seems like he doesn’t hear the word but it is actually not processed properly." The doctor noted that Fetterman's "communication is significantly improved compared to his first visit assisted by speech therapy." Overall, "Fetterman is well and shows strong commitment to maintaining good fitness and health practices," Chen wrote. "He has no work restrictions and can work full duty in public office."

This is the most detailed medical information Fetterman has released in months, the Washington Post reports. His Republican opponent, Dr. Mehmet Oz, has criticized him for not making his doctors available for media interviews and said Fetterman "won't be honest about his health." Chen wrote that he had spoken to Fetterman's neurologist and cardiologist and will "follow up with them routinely." Fetterman has been relying on closed-captioning in interviews, and he will do so when he debates Oz next week, the Post notes. (A recent poll found that Fetterman is still in the lead, but the race is narrowing.)

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