Steve Jobs Takes Medical Leave

Soon after posting an open letter to the Apple Community, Apple CEO Steve Jobs posted a new announcement this week, this time revealing that his health issues were more complex than originally believed.

Last week, Mr. Jobs posted an open letter announcing that his doctors had isolated the cause of him losing weight – a “hormone imbalance” that was eating away his proteins. The news didn't do much to get Apple's shares back up again, but it did generate a certain amount of relief among company watchers and Apple fans alike.

However, Mr. Jobs' latest announcement reveals that Apple's CEO is now forced to take a medical leave. Steve Jobs thus sent the following email to all Apple employees:

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.

Steve

Evidently, Apple's share price fell following the announcement, showing once again that Steve Jobs is perceived as “Apple,” and vice versa.