TV doctors #18 – Dr. Greg Pratt, ER

 

ER's Dr. Greg Pratt (Mekhi Phifer), NBC

Dr. Gregory Pratt (Mekhi Phifer) was a strong presence in the ER beginning in season 8, progressing from medical student up through the ranks to attending.  The character was a central figure in the season 14 cliffhanger, and the opening episode of final season 15.

TV doctors #11 – Michael Gallant, E.R.

ER's Michael Gallant (Sharif Atkins) back in Iraq, NBC

Michael Gallant (Sharif Atkins) arrived at the E.R. as the classic wet-behind-the-ears medical student in Season 7.  A member of the U.S. Army Reserve, his service in Iraq was a platform for E.R. to tackle veteran’s issues.

TV doctors vs. real MDs

 

the invitation card from the Open House in 1966

We’re almost halfway through my roster of African-American TV doctors.  We are profiling 22 regular television characters that have changed and are changing the way we look at the medical profession and its cultural context.  But I can’t wait to get back to telling you about the real doctors that impacted medicine in the city of Detroit back in the 1960s!

Let’s keep in mind that there were very few role models these men could draw upon as they served in World War II and Korean War, worked their way through medical school, broke down walls in 1950s Detroit, and built their own clinic from the ground up. Your interest and participation is essential to telling this story.

“Phase one” of the crowd-funding campaign   at indiegogo.com concludes on Jan. 31.  A donation now will help us get the principal photography done.  Thanks for your support!