From fan to medical consultant: Here's how 'Grey's Anatomy' inspired Stephen Bergin's neurosurgery career

They say reel influences real-life choices many times. Though mostly there have been bad examples whenever this topic has come up, in an inspiring turn of events, Stephen Bergin, a 35-year-old neurosurgeon, has come full circle from being an avid fan of the medical drama 'Grey's Anatomy' to becoming a crucial medical consultant for the show. Bergin, currently in his sixth year of residency, was first captivated by the series during his high school years, where it played a pivotal role in shaping his career aspirations.His fascination with the human brain, coupled with the compelling storytelling of 'Grey's Anatomy,' led him to pursue a career in neurosurgery.
In a report by SNWS, Bergin shared his experiences. He said, "When I do consulting for television, I think about how my experience as a doctor can help the writer, the actor, and the showrunner. There are three main parts of creating a television episode: the story generation, the shooting of the film, and then the editing. I have been involved in all three, but most of my time has been spent in the story generation. It was the most fun; it's where a lot of brainstorming goes on and it's when the script gets generated,"
Stephen Bergin’s journey from a dedicated viewer to a medical consultant for the show is nothing short of remarkable. He was selected to be a consultant during Season 19, where he provided invaluable advice on scriptwriting and guided the actors to ensure medical accuracy. His contributions have been so impactful that he is currently involved in brainstorming ideas for Season 21.
"During the brainstorming, it is important for me to remember that I am a medical consultant and to let the writers really express themselves and their goals for the plot. Often, they are trying to create a dramatic situation and my job is to support them. For instance, if the writer is trying to develop a plot involving two characters who are doctors in different specialties, it might be my opportunity to come up with a medical scenario that gets them in the room together. For instance, if one character is in obstetrics and gynecology and the other character is a neurosurgeon, it could be my opportunity to come up with a medical scenario where those two characters are in the same room taking care of the same patient," Bergin elaborated.

His role extends beyond just brainstorming sessions. He is also heavily involved in ensuring that the scenes are visually authentic and that the actors handle medical tools correctly. "When the script is done and you are shooting a scene, you want that scene to be visually authentic. You want the props to look as lifelike as possible and you also want the actor to use the medical tools the way they are supposed to be used. So sometimes you are demonstrating how to hold the surgical tool and how to use it on the prop in front of you," Bergin noted.
He also participates in the post-production process, where his keen eye for detail helps in smoothing out any inconsistencies and ensuring the story’s completeness. "Finally, in post-production, you are looking to see if anything is missing and anything that can be smoothed over to make the story more complete. It's been said that a film is made three times - once when it's written, once when it's shot, and once in post-production. It is a very dynamic process and a lot can change," he concluded.