CNN medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta has withdrawn his name from contention for U.S. Surgeon General, Obama administration officials said Thursday.

"We know he will continue to serve and educate the public through his work with media and in the medical arena," said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of nominations.

Gupta, 39, a neurosurgeon, was President Barack Obama's first pick for the job.

“He would have brought instant recognition to the office of surgeon general, a post that has lacked visibility since the days of C. Everett Koop during Ronald Reagan's presidency,” CNN reported.

Gupta reportedly decided he would focus on his medical career and his family.

"My wife is imminent with our third child. You know, this job ... takes us away from our children for so many years at once, and I sort of came to grips with the fact that I'd probably be away at least the first several years. ... And I just didn't feel like I should do that now," Gupta told CNN's Larry King.