Dr. Natalie E. Azar Biography: Rheumatologist & NBC Medical Contributor, Achievements, Age, Early Life

“Medicine is about listening, understanding, and translating science into care.” — Dr. Natalie Azar

Dr. Natalie E. Azar is a clinical assistant professor of rheumatology at NYU Langone Health and a medical contributor for NBC News, appearing regularly on TODAY, MSNBC, and NBC Nightly News. With a career that bridges clinical practice and medical journalism, she has become a trusted voice during public health crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

Timeline Overview

Year	Milestone
April 9, 1970	Born in Pennsylvania, USA, to Lebanese immigrant parents
1992	Graduated magna cum laude from Wellesley College – B.A. in Biology
1996	Earned M.D. from Cornell University Medical College
Late 1990s	Completed residency and fellowship in rheumatology
2014	Joined NBC News as medical contributor
2020	Became a prominent voice during COVID-19 pandemic coverage
Present	Clinical Assistant Professor at NYU Langone Health; NBC News contributor

Quick Facts

Attribute	Detail
Full Name	Dr. Natalie Eileen Azar
Date of Birth	April 9, 1970
Age	55 (as of 2025)
Birthplace	Pennsylvania, USA
Heritage	Lebanese-American
Height	Approx. 5 ft 6 in
Education	Wellesley College (B.A. Biology), Cornell University Medical College (M.D.)
Profession	Rheumatologist, medical journalist
Employer	NYU Langone Health; NBC News
Marital Status	Married to Dr. Steven Cohen
Children	Two
Net Worth	Estimated $1–2 million
Salary	Estimated $150,000–$250,000 annually (combined clinical and media work)

Early Life & Education

Born in Pennsylvania to Lebanese immigrant parents, Natalie Azar drew inspiration from her father, a psychiatrist, to pursue medicine. She graduated magna cum laude from Wellesley College in 1992, then earned her M.D. from Cornell University Medical College in 1996. She completed her residency and fellowship in rheumatology soon after.

Dr. Natalie E. Azar Photo - WikiiTrends — Dr. Natalie E. Azar Photo – WikiiTrends

Career Background

Azar has built a dual career in clinical medicine and medical journalism. At NYU Langone Health, she serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Rheumatology, where she specializes in autoimmune diseases and musculoskeletal disorders.

She expanded her career in 2014 by joining NBC News as a medical contributor, producing written and video health content for its platforms and appearing regularly on major programs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she provided clear, evidence-based updates that reached millions of viewers and strengthened her reputation as a trusted medical expert.

Achievements

Clinical Assistant Professor of Rheumatology at NYU Langone Health
NBC News medical contributor since 2014
Coverage of COVID-19 and major public health issues
Graduated magna cum laude from Wellesley College
Emmy-recognized contributor to NBC’s health reporting

Personal Life

Dr. Azar is married to Dr. Steven Cohen, and they have two children. She balances her demanding medical and media roles with family life and active involvement in her community.

Legacy

Dr. Natalie Azar’s legacy reflects her ability to bridge medicine and media. She makes complex health information understandable and accessible, shaping public awareness of wellness and medical science as both a practicing rheumatologist and a respected medical journalist.