Here’s How ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Inspired Stephen Bergin’s Neurosurgery Career

It’s often said that reality influences real-life choices. While the examples are often bad whenever this topic comes up, Stephen Bergin, a 35-year-old neurosurgeon, went from being a die-hard fan of the medical drama Grey’s Anatomy to being a vital medical consultant for the show. Bergin, currently in his sixth year of residency, was captivated by the show during his high school years, where it played a vital role in shaping his career aspirations. His fascination with the human brain, combined with Grey’s Anatomy’s compelling storytelling, led him to pursue a career in neurosurgery.

In a SNWS report, Bergin shared his experiences. He said, “When I do television consulting, I think about how my background as a doctor can help the writer, the actor, and the showrunner. There are three main stages to creating a television episode: creating the story, shooting the film, and then editing. I was involved in all three, but I spent most of my time creating the story. That was the most fun part; that’s where the many brainstorming sessions take place and the script is generated.”

Stephen Bergin’s journey from a regular viewer to a medical consultant for the show is nothing short of remarkable. He was tapped to be a consultant for Season 19, where he provided invaluable insights into the writing of the script and guided the cast to ensure medical accuracy. His contributions were so impactful that he is currently helping to brainstorm ideas for Season 21.

“During brainstorming, it’s important for me to remember that I’m a medical consultant and to let the writers really express themselves and their goals for the plot. Often, they’re trying to create a dramatic situation and my job is to support them. For example, if the writer is trying to develop a plot involving two characters who are doctors in different specialties, that might be an opportunity for me to come up with a medical scenario that puts them in the same room. For example, if one character is an OB/GYN and the other is a neurosurgeon, that might be an opportunity for me to come up with a medical scenario where those two characters are in the same room caring for the same patient,” Bergin explained.


His role doesn’t end with brainstorming sessions. He also ensures that scenes are visually authentic and that actors are handling medical tools properly. “When the script is done and you’re shooting a scene, you want that scene to be visually authentic. You want the props to be as realistic as possible, and you also want the actor to use the medical tools properly. So sometimes you’re 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 smooth out inconsistencies and ensure the story is complete. “Finally, in post-production, we look to see if there is anything missing and if there is anything that can be smoothed out to make the story more complete. They say that a film is made three times: once during writing, once during shooting and once in post-production. It is a very dynamic process and a lot can change,” he concludes.