Steve Jobs Health

On January 17, 2011, Apple released a press statement that the company's chief executive officer (CEO), Steve Jobs, would be taking a medical leave of absence to focus on his health. Jobs released the news to Apple employees via e-mail, saying that he would "continue as CEO and be involved in major strategic decisions for the company."http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2011/01/17advisory.html

This is the second medical leave in two years for the CEO, who was absent for six months between January and June 2009. Jobs did not indicate how long he would be out in 2011, but has passed on his responsibilities as CEO to Timothy Cook, the company's chief operating officer, for the duration of his absence.http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/18/technology/18apple.html?_r=1&hp Jobs noted in his letter, "I love Apple so much and hope to be back as soon as I can."http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2011/01/17advisory.html

Jobs was first diagnosed with a tumor on his pancreas in 2003, but he decided not to undergo surgery immediately. He kept the news of the tumor a secret from the public, and only a select group of Apple employees knew of his illness. After pursuing an alternative medicine regimen for several months, Jobs finally decided to undergo "Whipple's procedure" on July 31, 2004.http://money.cnn.com/2008/03/02/news/companies/elkind_jobs.fortune/index.htm

Media sources began commenting on Job's increasingly gaunt physique, particularly at the Worldwide Developers' Conference in 2008, but Apple responded that it was due to minor ailment.http://techcrunch.com/2009/06/19/not-only-was-steve-jobs-sick-he-had-a-liver-transplant/ A false report that Jobs suffered a heart attack caused Apple stock prices to drop more than 10 points on the morning of October 3, 2008.http://www.alleyinsider.com/2008/10/apple-s-steve-jobs-rushed-to-er-after-heart-attack-says-cnn-citizen-journalist

In January 2009, Jobs announced that he would take a six-month medical leave because his health-related issues were "more complex" than he originally thought.http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Apple-Media-prnews-14063824.html After Job's return in June of that year, it was announced that he had undergone a liver transplant in Tennessee about two months prior. The specifics of the surgery were never discussed by Jobs or Apple spokespersons. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124546193182433491.html Linda Sher, a physician at the University of Southern California Liver Transplant Program in Los Angeles, told Business Week on January 17, 2011 that a liver transplant can result in “countless” difficulties as patients undergo drug treatment and face possible organ rejection. Analysts speculate that Jobs may face medical risks and potential complications for the rest of his life.http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-01-17/jobs-s-liver-transplant-carries-risk-of-complications.html

Team,

At my request, the board of directors has granted me a medical leave of absence so I can focus on my health. I will continue as CEO and be involved in major strategic decisions for the company.

I have asked Tim Cook to be responsible for all of Apple’s day to day operations. I have great confidence that Tim and the rest of the executive management team will do a terrific job executing the exciting plans we have in place for 2011.

I love Apple so much and hope to be back as soon as I can. In the meantime, my family and I would deeply appreciate respect for our privacy.

Stevehttp://www.apple.com/pr/library/2011/01/17advisory.html

Team,

I am sure all of you saw my letter last week sharing something very personal with the Apple community. Unfortunately, the curiosity over my personal health continues to be a distraction not only for me and my family, but everyone else at Apple as well. In addition, during the past week I have learned that my health-related issues are more complex than I originally thought.

In order to take myself out of the limelight and focus on my health, and to allow everyone at Apple to focus on delivering extraordinary products, I have decided to take a medical leave of absence until the end of June.

I have asked Tim Cook to be responsible for Apple’s day to day operations, and I know he and the rest of the executive management team will do a great job. As CEO, I plan to remain involved in major strategic decisions while I am out. Our board of directors fully supports this plan.

I look forward to seeing all of you this summer.

Stevehttp://www.apple.com/pr/library/2009/01/14advisory.html