Posted on 03/16/2006 1:15:25 PM PST by COUNTrecount
NEW YORK - ABC News anchor Bob Woodruff was transferred Thursday from a naval hospital in Maryland to a facility closer to his New York home as he continues to recuperate from injuries suffered in a roadside bomb attack, ABC said.
The network wouldn't say where Woodruff was being hospitalized. He lives in Westchester County north of New York City.
The transfer reflects "continued progress in all respects," ABC News President David Westin said in an e-mail to ABC staffers. Woodruff suffered serious head injuries and broken bones while reporting in Iraq on Jan. 29.
"Bob is up and about, regularly talking and joking with (wife) Lee, the children, other family members and — yes — watching the news," Westin said. "He continues to show just how strong and determined he is. That said, we should expect months of further recuperation."
When he was attacked, Woodruff was in his first month as "World News Tonight" co-anchor with Elizabeth Vargas. During February, Charles Gibson and Diane Sawyer alternated as substitute co-anchors.
Now, Vargas — who is pregnant — is going it alone. It's expected the network will announce a longer-range plan that will involve a substitute co-anchor within the next few weeks. If Gibson or Sawyer are involved, it would also mean changes at "Good Morning America," where they currently work.
When Woodruff and Vargas were appointed to the job to replace the late Peter Jennings in December, Westin said two people were necessary because ABC wanted its anchors to frequently travel to news, do an afternoon Webcast and separate feeds of the broadcast to the West Coast each night.
To keep Vargas from being overworked, ABC is no longer doing separate feeds for the West Coast every night, but the network said it remains committed to its plan.
Despite all the turmoil, "World News Tonight" has kept its second-place status in the ratings behind NBC's "Nightly News," according to Nielsen Media Research. CBS' newscast with Bob Schieffer has been gaining, however.
Woodruff has been treated for the past several weeks at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md.
"For now, Bob will be devoting his full strength and energy to his family," Westin said. "Later we will focus on getting him back to work on his schedule."
Working back into it - probably ready for PMSNBC
He's doing much better than Woodruff. He may be back to work, but I'm not sure.
Thanks. I hadn't heard anything about him lately.
Glad he is doing better. Have they launched an investigation as to why he had poked his head out of a hatch to film, while driving through a dangerous area?
I read that he's home. I don't think he was wounded as severely.
He was released from the hospital some time ago.
Because for once, the media says the public doesn't have a "right to know."
To keep Vargas from being overworked ? Reading the news for 22 mins wears her out ?
yes and it concluded..when playing the part in real life situations,it's best to remember real life consequences
Doogle
"When he was attacked,...."
He wasn't attack. A military unit he was reporting on was attack. Any reports on injuries suffered by military personnal in the attack.
This makes the war "so real" for the media.
Did ABC pay for the medical services their employee received?
Good thing she doesn't work at the Weather Channel. Some of their ladies have worked up until their due date, and then take only two weeks off. Some local news anchors in my area have given birth literally after leaving the set.
If he's up walking and joking, you can be sure that the extended recuperation is about plastic surgery. I have no doubt that his face sustained a lot of damage. A terrible t hing for a man who makes his living in front of cameras. Poor guy.
This is good news. I hadn't heard much about him lately and had wondered if that implied he wasn't doing well at all. I hope the guy makes a full recovery.
Why? Is he eligible for militay medical care?
At least he was surrounded by heroes.
No. . .it doesn't. . .
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