Skip to content

Top Navigation

EW.com Entertainment Weekly EW.com Entertainment Weekly
  • TV
    • TV Reviews
    • TV Reunions
    • TV Recaps
    • Fall TV
    • Animated
    • Comedy
    • Crime
    • Drama
    • Mystery
    • Reality
    • Sci-fi
    • Thriller
  • Movies
    • Movie Reviews
    • Trailers
    • Film Festivals
    • Movie Reunions
    • Movie Previews
  • Music
    • Music Reviews
  • Books
    • Book Reviews
    • Author Interviews
  • Theater
    • Theater Reviews
  • Podcasts
  • Gaming
  • Events
    • Comic-Con
  • Celebrity
  • Awards
    • Oscars
    • Emmys
    • Golden Globes
    • SAG Awards
    • Grammys
    • Tony Awards
  • Streaming

Profile Menu

Your Profile

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Order Past Issues this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout
Login
Subscribe

Explore EW.com

EW.com Entertainment Weekly EW.com Entertainment Weekly
  • Explore

    Explore

    • Here are all 70 puppies competing in Puppy Bowl XVII

      Read More Next
    • The best books to keep you warm this January

      Read More Next
    • The Masked Dancer revealed: Every unmasked celebrity on season 1

      Read More Next
  • TV

    TV

    See All TV
    • TV Reviews
    • TV Reunions
    • TV Recaps
    • Fall TV
    • Animated
    • Comedy
    • Crime
    • Drama
    • Mystery
    • Reality
    • Sci-fi
    • Thriller
  • Movies

    Movies

    See All Movies
    • Movie Reviews
    • Trailers
    • Film Festivals
    • Movie Reunions
    • Movie Previews
  • Music

    Music

    See All Music
    • Music Reviews
  • Books

    Books

    See All Books
    • Book Reviews
    • Author Interviews
  • Theater

    Theater

    See All Theater
    • Theater Reviews
  • Podcasts
  • Gaming
  • Events

    Events

    See All Events
    • Comic-Con
  • Celebrity
  • Awards

    Awards

    See All Awards
    • Oscars
    • Emmys
    • Golden Globes
    • SAG Awards
    • Grammys
    • Tony Awards
  • Streaming

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Profile

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Order Past Issues this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home Chevron Right
  2. Gallery Chevron Right
  3. Paging Dr. Feelgood: 30 Great TV Doctors and Nurses

Paging Dr. Feelgood: 30 Great TV Doctors and Nurses

Caregivers like Edie Falco's Nurse Jackie and Jada Pinkett-Smith's Hawthorne have always been the cure for what ails us, from the ''Scrubs'' goofballs to the ''E.R.'' lifesavers
By Amy Wilkinson
Updated January 05, 2009 at 07:00 PM EST
Skip gallery slides
Save FB Tweet

1 of 27

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

CHRISTINA HAWTHORNE

Credit: Erik Heinila/TNT

Jada Pinkett Smith

Hawthorne (2009-present)

The no-nonsense, straight-ahead earthiness that Miss Jada brings to her starring role as a registered nurse in this TNT drama earns her a spot on this list of the best television caregivers. —Marc Bernardin

1 of 27

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 27

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

JACKIE PAYTON

Credit: David M. Russell/SHOWTIME

Edie Falco

Nurse Jackie (2009-present)

Here's how EW TV critic Ken Tucker describes Jackie: ''A veteran ER nurse who's deeply cynical about the doctors she works with and openheartedly kind to the patients in her care. 'Doctors don't heal, they diagnose — we heal,' she says of nurses. From anyone else, that might seem like hubris; from the woman who embodied Carmela Soprano, it just seems like common sense.'' —Marc Bernardin

2 of 27

3 of 27

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

3

Credit: Isabella Vosmikova

3 of 27

Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

4 of 27

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

4

Credit: Everett Collection

4 of 27

Advertisement

5 of 27

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

5

Credit: Bob D'Amico

5 of 27

6 of 27

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

6. ''Employee of the Month''

Credit: Barry Wetcher

Season 3, episode 4

The esplanade scam. Meadow and Jackie Jr. Johnny Sack's rotund wife. ''EOTM'' was ground zero for so many arcs. But it's Dr. Melfi's rape for which it's best remembered, and the way Melfi is tempted to ditch her principles for a shot at vengeance. Bracco is almost unbearably brilliant; she makes you feel every painful inch of her physical, emotional, and ethical ordeal. Her haunting final line — ''No'' — is crushingly heroic. —Jeff Jensen

6 of 27

Advertisement
Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

7 of 27

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

CAROL HATHAWAY

Credit: Everett Collection

Julianna Marguiles

E.R. (1994-2009)

Sometimes, caregivers can be just as in need of help as their patients. Case in point: Nurse Hathaway, who'd coped with suicidal tendencies and rocky relationships since day one. But her struggles made her triumphs that much more amazing to watch. —Marc Bernardin

7 of 27

Advertisement
Advertisement

8 of 27

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

JAMES KILDARE

Credit: Everett Collection

Richard Chamberlain

Dr. Kildare (1961-1966)

Meredith Grey wasn't the first intern to steam up a soapy medical drama. In the 1960s, Blair General Hospital intern James Kildare healed patients and meddled in their personal lives, much to the chagrin of benevolent mentor Leonard Gillespie.

8 of 27

Advertisement

9 of 27

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

JACK SHEPHARD

Credit: Mario Perez

Matthew Fox

Lost (2004-2010)

Is there a doctor on the plane? Thank goodness there was on Oceanic Flight 815. The survivors would definitely be lost (sorry, couldn't resist) without Dr. De Facto Leader.

9 of 27

Advertisement
Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

10 of 27

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

CLIFF HUXTABLE

Credit: Everett Collection

Bill Cosby

The Cosby Show (1984-1992)

Best known for his trove of garish sweaters and penchant for hoagies, we sometimes forget bumbling Cliff Huxtable is actually a skilled ob-gyn. But how can you go wrong with a physician who probably has his own lifetime supply of Jell-O?

10 of 27

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

11 of 27

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

MICHAELA ''MIKE'' QUINN

Credit: Everett Collection

Jane Seymour

Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman (1993-1998)

We'll admit it: We spent many a Saturday night on the sofa rooting for Dr. Mike as she strove to earn the trust and respect of her skeptical Colorado Springs neighbors. With a successful medical practice, a hot mountain-man husband, and adoring children, this determined doc proved pioneer women could have it all — if only they were allowed.

11 of 27

Advertisement
Advertisement

12 of 27

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

12

Credit: Sven Arnstein

12 of 27

Advertisement
Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

13 of 27

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

CARLA ESPINOSA

Credit: Paul Drinkwater/NBC

Judy Reyes

Scrubs (2001-present)

According to this NBC-then-ABC sitcom, the staffs of most hospitals are like scout troops. Which would make Carla the den mother of Scrubs' misfit band of doctors, surgeons, patients, and, yes, janitors. —Marc Bernardin

13 of 27

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

14 of 27

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

''HAWKEYE'' PIERCE

Credit: Everett Collection

Alan Alda

M*A*S*H (1972-1983)

Eleven years in the South Korean wilderness would have been much more deplorable without the antics of wisecracking surgeon Hawkeye Pierce. Yet for all the levity he supplied, his helicopter exit from the 4077th still leaves us misty.

14 of 27

Advertisement
Advertisement

15 of 27

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

FRASIER AND NILES CRANE

Credit: Gale M. Adler/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

Kelsey Grammer and David Hyde Pierce

Frasier (1993-2004)

Neurotic psychiatrist brothers Frasier and Niles Crane seem to have more issues than the patients they purport to help. Daddy complex? Check. Messy divorces? You bet. Unrequited love? Of course. Physicians, heal thyselves!

15 of 27

Advertisement
Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

16 of 27

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

MIRANDA ''THE NAZI'' BAILEY

Credit: Ron Tom/ABC

Chandra Wilson

Grey's Anatomy (2005-)

We like strong-willed Miranda Bailey when she's kicking intern butt, but we love the Seattle Grace chief resident when she shows us her vulnerable side (like when she let intern George help deliver her son). Her struggle to balance work and family life is something any woman can relate to, which makes her much less of a ''Nazi.''

16 of 27

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

17 of 27

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

MARCUS WELBY

Credit: Courtesy Everett Collection

Robert Young

Marcus Welby, M.D. (1969-1976)

Much like its predecessor, Dr. Kildare, Marcus Welby, M.D. focused on the relationship between an older mentor and his younger charge. This time around, it was the more-seasoned physician's unusual holistic approach that raised the eyebrow of younger assistant Steven Kiley (played by James Brolin). Who says you can't teach an old doc new tricks?

17 of 27

Advertisement
Advertisement

18 of 27

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

CHRISTINE CHAPEL

Credit: Everett Collection

Majel Barrett
Star Trek (1966-1969)

A doctor as irascible as Leonard ''Bones'' McCoy needed a nurse with her head on straight and her phaser set to ''calm.'' Nurse Chapel fit the bill. (And eventually married the boss — Trek creator Gene Roddenberry.) —Marc Bernardin

18 of 27

Advertisement
Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

19 of 27

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

NICK RIVIERA

Voiced by Hank Azaria

The Simpsons (1989-)

If by ''best'' you mean ''worst,'' then yes, hack-quack Dr. Nick fits right in on our list of TV's top docs. But if you're not looking for a leg as an arm or an un-anaesthetized surgery, you might want to save your shillings for a visit to Dr. Hibbert.

19 of 27

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

20 of 27

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

20

Credit: Everett Collection

20 of 27

Advertisement
Advertisement

21 of 27

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

KATHRYN AUSTIN

Credit: Everett Collection

Christine Lahti

Chicago Hope (1994-2000)

We like our female surgeons rough-and-ready (see: Miranda Bailey), which is why we'd appoint cardiac surgeon Kathryn Austin chief of surgery any day. We just hope she isn't in the bathroom when the announcement is made.

21 of 27

Advertisement
Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

22 of 27

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

22

Credit: Mitchell Haaseth

22 of 27

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

23 of 27

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

MARK GREENE AND ELIZABETH CORDAY

Credit: Getty Images

Anthony Edwards and Alex Kingston

E.R. (1994-2009)

Steadfast Mark Greene was always the voice of reason in County General's frenetic emergency room, which may explain why he and frenzied British surgeon Elizabeth Corday made such a good pair. After Mark's death from cancer, Corday suffered a few career missteps — including a harrowing return to Britain — but ultimately redeemed herself, becoming chief of surgery.

23 of 27

Advertisement
Advertisement

24 of 27

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

DR. DRAKE RAMORAY (JOEY TRIBBIANI)

Credit: Danny Feld/NBCU Photo Bank

Matt LeBlanc

Friends (1994-2004)

The role of Dr. Drake Ramoray on Friends' faux-soap opera was the only big-time acting gig lovable goof Joey ever landed. All the more reason to talk about it over, and over, and over.... At least we picked up that useful ''smell the fart'' acting technique.

24 of 27

Advertisement
Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

25 of 27

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

LEONARD ''BONES'' McCOY

Credit: Everett Collection

DeForest Kelley

Star Trek (1966-1969)

Sure, he's prejudiced against Vulcans, but he'll treat anyone who comes into his Sick Bay on the U.S.S. Enterprise, no matter what shape their ears are. Dr. McCoy gets a gold star in our book for routinely offering Captain Kirk some good old-fashioned final-frontier wisdom.

25 of 27

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

26 of 27

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

SEAN McNAMARA AND CHRISTIAN TROY

Credit: Michael Becker/FX

Dylan Walsh and Julian McMahon

Nip/Tuck (2003-)

Illegitimate children, face-disfiguring serial rapists, and tummy tucks. Is there anything these Miami-cum-L.A. plastic surgeons can't handle? Maybe a week without an eyebrow wax...

26 of 27

Advertisement
Advertisement

27 of 27

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

''TRAPPER JOHN'' McINTYRE

Credit: 20th Century Fox/Courtesy Everett Collection

Pernell Roberts

Trapper John, M.D. (1979-1986)

Twenty-eight years after the Korean War, M*A*S*H's Trapper John emerges at a different locale (San Francisco Memorial Hospital) and played by a different person (Pernell Roberts). He initially locks horns with Vietnam vet Gonzo (i.e., the embodiment of Trapper's younger self), but eventually he warms up. Because that's what TV doctors do, the ones who aren't House, anyway.

27 of 27

Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Amy Wilkinson

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 27 CHRISTINA HAWTHORNE
2 of 27 JACKIE PAYTON
3 of 27 3
4 of 27 4
5 of 27 5
6 of 27 6. ''Employee of the Month''
7 of 27 CAROL HATHAWAY
8 of 27 JAMES KILDARE
9 of 27 JACK SHEPHARD
10 of 27 CLIFF HUXTABLE
11 of 27 MICHAELA ''MIKE'' QUINN
12 of 27 12
13 of 27 CARLA ESPINOSA
14 of 27 ''HAWKEYE'' PIERCE
15 of 27 FRASIER AND NILES CRANE
16 of 27 MIRANDA ''THE NAZI'' BAILEY
17 of 27 MARCUS WELBY
18 of 27 CHRISTINE CHAPEL
19 of 27 NICK RIVIERA
20 of 27 20
21 of 27 KATHRYN AUSTIN
22 of 27 22
23 of 27 MARK GREENE AND ELIZABETH CORDAY
24 of 27 DR. DRAKE RAMORAY (JOEY TRIBBIANI)
25 of 27 LEONARD ''BONES'' McCOY
26 of 27 SEAN McNAMARA AND CHRISTIAN TROY
27 of 27 ''TRAPPER JOHN'' McINTYRE

Share options

Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message
EW.com Entertainment Weekly

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
  • Sitemap

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
  • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en EspaƱol this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
  • Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab
© Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. Entertainment Weekly is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation All Rights Reserved. Entertainment Weekly may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://ew.com

View image

Paging Dr. Feelgood: 30 Great TV Doctors and Nurses
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.