A Duke University neurosurgeon's dreams have come true after he was asked to become a medical consultant on the hit TV drama show Grey's Anatomy.
Stephen Bergin, 35, a sixth-year resident at the hospital made the decision to study medicine after he became a regular viewer of the 21-season show while still in high school.
Following the steps of the show's beloved character Dr Derek Shepherd, popularly known as McDreamy among fans, Bergin decided to become a neurosurgeon at a young age.
As he reached his fourth year of residency at the hospital, the show's producers made a public call for doctors at Duke who wished to become medical consultants on season 19.
Stephen Bergin, 35, a sixth year resident neurosurgeon's dreams have come true after he was asked to become a medical consultant on the hit TV drama show Grey's Anatomy
Bergin, an ardent fan, quickly jumped at the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and applied for the position.
'I was interested in it immediately because watching Grey's Anatomy in high school inspired me to get into neurosurgery.
'The production always has medical specialists on staff for consults and they like to have a resident in that bunch so all the resident storylines feel realistic.
'I was in my fourth year of residency which is also known as a research year, so I had more time available to take the role on.
'I applied, interviewed and was lucky enough to be chosen,' Bergin told the British news agency SWNS.
The Duke University Hospital doctor decided to save lives after he became a regular viewer of the 21 season show while in high school.
Bergin (center) is pictured with Caterina Scorsone who plays Dr Amelia Shepherd (left) and Kim Raver who plays Dr Teddy Altman (right) on sets
@surgeonbergin
It’s been a lot of fun working with Grey’s Anatomy this season! Can’t wait for some of my scenes to start being televised. #greysanatomy @Greys Anatomy 🤩 #greysanatomyfan
♬ original sound – SurgeonBergin 🧠
In a video clip, he explained that as a consultant, he is involved in the show's story generation and provides the writers with real-life medical scenarios which they incorporate into the script.
'We would receive scripts from the showrunners or writers with lines in them that would literally say "medical, medical, medical".
'It was my job to fill in these lines with applicable medical jargon.
'I would also be consulted on what type of injury could bring two characters working in different medical departments together.
'For example, if they needed a reason for a neurosurgeon and a cardiothoracic specialist to be in a room together, I would come up with the injury that meant they were both needed.'
The senior resident has also appeared as an extra on the Emmy-winning series
Found me! Helping transport the patient after a successful #greysanatomy surgery. https://t.co/K1ZGH4dvyi pic.twitter.com/psVbPm0nA5
— Stephen Bergin (@StephenMBergin) October 28, 2022
But his role on set is not limited to just being a consultant.
At times, Bergin has also contributed towards filming by teaching actors how to use medical equipment and once helped show lead Ellen Pompeo with her lines during season 19's mid-season finale 'Thunderstruck' in October 2022.
'When I was on set, I got to interact with the actors about the words I had written.
'Ellen Pompeo was going over her lines at one point and asked if there was an alternative way of saying something.
'I suggested a change which got approved and then Ellen chanted "The doctor saved the script!" over and over again.
'I helped Caterina Scorsone, who plays Amelia Shepherd, understand the proper way to use a tool for the spine.
The Duke University resident is pictured here with Scott Speedman who plays Dr Nick Marsh on the show
'She was so committed to doing a good job. They all were! I was so impressed by their commitment and kindness to me throughout.'
The senior resident has also appeared as an extra on the Emmy-winning series.
Sharing a short clip of himself on X, he wrote: 'Found me! Helping transport the patient after a successful #greysanatomy surgery.'
While being a doctor and a consultant, Bergin also shares his experiences on set as well as a neurosurgeon on social media to raise awareness.
