St. Elsewhere (1982 — 1988)

St. Elsewhere (1982–1988) is an American medical drama television series originally airing on NBC from October 26, 1982 to May 25, 1988. Created by Joshua Brand and John Falsey, it follows the lives of staff at the fictional St. Eligius Hospital in Boston’s South End neighborhood. The hospital’s nickname, ‘St. Elsewhere’, is a slang term in the medical field for hospitals that may not have the same resources as others, but still provide care to patients who are turned away elsewhere. This term can also be used in medical academia for teaching hospitals in general. In the pilot episode, Dr. Mark Craig reveals to his colleagues that local media has given St. Eligius its less-than-flattering name due to their perception of it being a ‘dumping ground’ and not a place where anyone would want to send their loved ones. The establishing shots of the hospital were filmed at Franklin Square House Apartments, formerly known as the St. James Hotel and located next to Franklin and Blackstone Squares.

This hospital was so poorly perceived that its shrine to Saint Eligius often suffered from mistreatment by visitors and staff. Like the show Hill Street Blues, St. Elsewhere featured a large cast, a gritty visual style, and interconnected stories that spanned multiple episodes or seasons. Just as Hill Street revolutionized police dramas, St. Elsewhere made significant strides in the medical genre, setting a precedent for later shows like ER and Chicago Hope. The series portrayed the medical field as admirable yet flawed; the staff at St. Eligius had good intentions in caring for their patients, but also faced personal and professional challenges that often overlapped.