37 great TV doctors and nurses

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Zoe Hart — Hart of Dixie (2011–2015)

Rachel Bilson on 'Hart of Dixie'. Michael Tackett/The CW

Zoe Hart (Rachel Bilson) brought her big-city medical training to small-town Alabama and charmed the pants off of all of her patients — once they warmed up to her, that is.

02 of 34

Jackson Avery — Grey's Anatomy (2005–present)

Jesse Williams on 'Grey's Anatomy'. Ron Tom/ABC

Ah, Jackson Avery (Jesse Williams). Come for his stunning good looks, stay for his inherited talents, business mind, and leadership skills.

03 of 34

Shaun Murphy — The Good Doctor (2018–present)

Freddie Highmore on 'The Good Doctor'. Eike Schroter/ABC

The odds were stacked against Dr. Murphy (Freddie Highmore) from the beginning: Living with autism and savant syndrome while constantly battling the preconceived notions of his colleagues has been difficult, but his invaluable expertise has made him a standout surgeon.

04 of 34

Emily Owens — Emily Owens, M.D. (2012–2013)

Mamie Gummer on 'Emily Owens, M.D.'. Jack Rowand/The CW

Her onscreen career may have been cut short, but Dr. Emily Owens (Mamie Gummer) made a name for herself with her drive as a surgeon, authentic charm, and attention to detail.

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Gregory House — House, M.D. (2004–2012)

Hugh Laurie on 'House, M.D.'. Jordin Althaus/FOX

His bedside manner may have been a wee bit caustic ("What would you prefer — a doctor who holds your hand while you die or one who ignores you while you get better?"), but if you were suffering from some exotically unexplainable malaise, House (Hugh Laurie) was your guy. Unless he killed you.

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Meredith Grey — Grey's Anatomy (2005–present)

Ellen Pompeo on 'Grey's Anatomy'. Danny Feld/ABC

After years of training, tribulations, and far too many brushes with death, Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) finally stepped out from behind the shadows of her mother and husband. She discovered her specialty, brought new technology to her patients, and found comfort and inspiration in her fellow doctors.

07 of 34

Neal Hudson — Code Black (2015–2018)

Raza Jaffrey on 'Code Black'. Sonja Flemming/CBS

A charming British accent wasn't the only tool in Dr. Hudson's (Raza Jaffrey) kit. The well-trained doc had speedy strategies, sensitivity to patients, and an insightful way of speaking to his co-workers.

08 of 34

Derek Shepherd — Grey's Anatomy (2005-present)

Patrick Dempsey on 'Grey's Anatomy'. Bob D'Amico/ABC

One longing, take-me-in-the-elevator glance from Seattle Grace neurosurgeon Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey) would have surely healed us of any malady.

09 of 34

Jack Shephard — Lost (2004–2010)

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

10 of 34

Arizona Robbins — Grey's Anatomy (2005–present)

Jessica Capshaw on 'Grey's Anatomy'. Richard Cartwright/ABC via Getty Images

Don't let that sweet smile fool you, Dr. Robbins (Jessica Capshaw) was a no-nonsense Chief of Pediatric Surgery who never hesitated to go to bat for her patients or her friends.

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Jackie Payton — Nurse Jackie (2009–2015)

Edie Falco on 'Nurse Jackie'. David M. Russell/SHOWTIME

Here's how EW TV critic Ken Tucker describes Edie Falco's 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

12 of 34

April Kepner — Grey's Anatomy (2005–present)

Sarah Drew on 'Grey's Anatomy'. Eric McCandless/ABC via Getty Images

Over the course of her Grey's tenure, Dr. Kepner (Sarah Drew) evolved into a by-any-means-necessary trauma surgeon. Although often underestimated by her colleagues, her skills and instincts spoke for themselves.

13 of 34

Christina Hawthorne — Hawthorne (2009–2011)

Jada Pinkett Smith on 'Hawthorne'. Erik Heinila/TNT

The no-nonsense, straight-ahead earthiness that Jada Pinkett Smith brought to her starring role as a registered nurse on this TNT drama earns her a spot on this list of the best television caregivers. —M.B.

14 of 34

Douglas "Doogie" Howser — Doogie Howser, M.D. (1989–1993)

Neil Patrick Harris on 'Doogie Howser, M.D.'. Everett Collection

Before he was legendary as womanizing Barney Stinson on How I Met Your Mother, Neil Patrick Harris played a pint-sized prodigy serving up precocious diagnoses. Balancing adolescence, a girlfriend, and a medical career? Awesome!

15 of 34

Jennifer Melfi — The Sopranos (1999–2007)

Lorraine Bracco on 'The Sopranos'. Barry Wetcher

Psychiatrist Jennifer Melfi (Lorraine Bracco) got more Mob juice out of Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) than an FBI wiretap ever could. It's a rare outsider who is privy to Mafia secrets and doesn't end up sleeping with the fishes.

16 of 34

Carol Hathaway — ER (1994–2009)

Julianna Margulies on 'ER'. Everett Collection

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

17 of 34

James Kildare — Dr. Kildare (1961–1966)

Richard Chamberlain on 'Dr. Kildare'. Everett Collection

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

18 of 34

Michaela "Mike" Quinn — Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman (1993–1998)

Jane Seymour on 'Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman'. Everett Collection

We'll admit it: We spent many a Saturday night on the sofa rooting for Dr. Mike (Jane Seymour) 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.

19 of 34

Doug Ross — ER (1994–2009)

No one enjoys playing doctor more than George Clooney — he's done it twice (sorta), for penicillin's sake! He started his Chicago emergency room twofer playing floppy-haired med tech Mark "Ace" Kolmar in the short-lived '80s sitcom E/R, but it was his role as bad-boy-with-a-big-heart Doug Ross on NBC's nigh-immortal ER that made him a star — and a sex symbol.

20 of 34

Carla Espinosa — Scrubs (2001–2010)

Judy Reyes on 'Scrubs'. Paul Drinkwater/NBC

According to this NBC-turned-ABC sitcom, the staffs of most hospitals are like scout troops. Which would make Carla (Judy Reyes) the den mother of Scrubs' misfit band of doctors, surgeons, patients, and, yes, janitors. —M.B.

21 of 34

Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce — MAS*H (1972–1983)

Alan Alda on 'M*A*S*H'. Everett Collection

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

22 of 34

Frasier and Niles Crane — Frasier (1993–2004)

David Hyde Pierce and Kelsey Grammer on 'Frasier'. Gale M. Adler/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

Neurotic psychiatrist brothers Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) and Niles Crane (David Hyde Pierce) seemed 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!

23 of 34

Miranda Bailey — Grey's Anatomy (2005–present)

Chandra Wilson on 'Grey's Anatomy'. Ron Tom/ABC

We like Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson) when she's kicking intern butt, but we love the 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 most working parents can relate to, which makes her much less of a "Nazi," as she was referred to in the show's early days.

24 of 34

Marcus Welby — Marcus Welby, M.D. (1969–1976)

Robert Young on 'Marcus Welby, M.D.'. Courtesy Everett Collection

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 Marcus Welby's (Robert Young) unusual holistic approach that raised the eyebrow of younger assistant Steven Kiley (James Brolin). Who says you can't teach an old doc new tricks?

25 of 34

Christine Chapel — Star Trek: The Original Series (1966–1969)

Majel Barrett and DeForest Kelley on 'Star Trek: The Original Series'. CBS via Getty Images

A doctor as irascible as Leonard "Bones" McCoy (DeForest Kelley) needed a nurse with their head on straight and their phaser set to "calm." Nurse Chapel (Majel Barrett) fit the bill. (And eventually married the boss — Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry.) —M.B.

26 of 34

Nick Riviera — The Simpsons (1989–present)

If by "best" you mean "worst," then yes, hack-quack Dr. Nick (voiced by Hank Azaria) 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-anesthetized surgery, you might want to save your shillings for a visit to Dr. Hibbert.

27 of 34

Kathryn Austin — Chicago Hope (1994–2000)

Christine Lahti on 'Chicago Hope'. Everett Collection

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

28 of 34

Philip Chandler — St. Elsewhere (1982–1988)

Denzel Washington on 'St. Elsewhere'. Everett Collection

Playing a doc on the small screen seems to pay off big in silver-screen karma. Just ask Denzel Washington, who got his showbiz break playing Philip Chandler on the '80s drama St. Elsewhere. Some trivia: He's one of three former docs on our list who have won Academy Awards (George Clooney and Christine Lahti are the other two).

29 of 34

John "J.D." Dorian — Scrubs (2001–2010)

Another one of our favorite interns, J.D. (Zach Braff) may have climbed up the ladder to attending physician, but that doesn't mean he got any more respect from the Janitor (Neil Flynn). Or that he had any less wacky daydreams.

30 of 34

Mark Greene and Elizabeth Corday — ER (1994–2009)

Alex Kingston and Anthony Edwards on 'ER'. Getty Images

Steadfast Mark Greene (Anthony Edwards) was always the voice of reason in County General's frenetic emergency room, which may explain why he and frenzied British surgeon Elizabeth Corday (Alex Kingston) 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.

31 of 34

Dr. Drake Ramoray — Friends (1994–2004)

Matt LeBlanc on 'Friends'. Danny Feld/NBCU Photo Bank

The role of Dr. Drake Ramoray on Friends' faux-soap opera was the only big-time acting gig lovable goof Joey (Matt LeBlanc) 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.

32 of 34

Leonard "Bones" McCoy — Star Trek: The Original Series (1966–1969)

Sure, he was prejudiced against Vulcans, but he'd treat anyone who came into his sickbay on the U.S.S. Enterprise, no matter what shape their ears were. Dr. McCoy gets a gold star in our book for routinely offering Captain Kirk (William Shatner) some good old-fashioned final-frontier wisdom.

33 of 34

Sean McNamara and Christian Troy — Nip/Tuck (2003–2010)

Dylan Walsh and Julian McMahon on 'Nip/Tuck'. Michael Becker/FX

Non-marital children, face-disfiguring serial rapists, and tummy tucks. Is there anything Miami-cum-L.A. plastic surgeons Sean McNamara (Dylan Walsh) and Christian Troy (Julian McMahon) can't handle? Maybe a week without an eyebrow wax.

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"Trapper" John McIntyre — Trapper John, M.D. (1979–1986)

Pernell Roberts on 'Trapper John, M.D.'. 20th Century Fox/Courtesy Everett Collection

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