Most of the article demonstrates its author's point by coming to a tentative conclusion through a critical analysis of the doctor's statements. The NYT article

Most of the article demonstrates its author's point by coming to a tentative conclusion through a critical analysis of the doctor's statements. The NYT article is presented as additional support, from other sources, for the same conclusion. Progress in science and history is often like that: a hypothesis is strengthened through having multiple lines of support, such as when the cosmic microwave background and the cosmic abundance of helium were added to the red shift of galaxies as evidence for the big bang. Being eternally skeptical to the extent of dismissing anything not proven is not effective critical thinking, either.