I wrote this with the idea of helping rural and underserved hospitals and healthcare organizations, people, etc... get funding, skilled employees, and to create interest with the public and maybe inspire future healthcare workers. I believed that if rural healthcare is seen and discussed in ways that are accessible to the general population, then I believe things can be improved.
However, myths,
stereotypes, limited settings, plots and stories can work against rural
interests. So, while we should support this genre, I believe that we
need to improve and update the stories and locations used. Encourage writers,
creators, etc… to create new novels, TV, etc… that represent what it is really
like today.
Out of 50 States and 14 US Territories there are 23 States that
are represented/used as a setting of the 49 Films and TV shows that have been
made.
(This is everything I could find; broken down by state.)
Set
within the USA
- Alabama
Hart of Dixie (2011-2015)
Dr. Zoe Hart has her life planned out until she
loses her residency and discovers her father is not her biological
father. She decides to seek out her biological father only to learn he
died and left her his half of a practice in Bluebell, Alabama. So, she starts
her medical career as a GP in the town.
Miss Evers Boys (1997)
Based on the play Miss Evers Boys by David Feldshuh [First
Published in 1995]. In 1932 The Tuskegee Study of Untreated Blacks
with Syphilis; In which 412 black men were infected with syphilis to see how
they were affected by the infection. The events are told from the perspective
of Nurse Evers.
- Alaska
After Doctor Lauren Brunell is not selected for a position, she wanted she moves to the small town of Garland, Alaska. There she works as the town's only Doctor (and is possibly working for Santa Clause), falls for the local (and only town handyman), while struggling with going from a large city to a small town.
Northern Exposure (1990-1995)
Recent Graduate New York Doctor Joel Fleischman has to work in Cicely, Alaska a
rural town with some interesting residents to pay back the state
for funding his way through medical school.
- Arizona
Four Eyes, Six Guns (1992)
Optometrist Earnest Allbright buys a practice in Tombstone, AZ. When he arrives
in Tombstone the business, the town, and the West are not what he expected.
Things are challenging until he earns the love of a good woman and helps
Marshal Wyatt Earp stop a gang of outlaws with his shooting skills.
Frontier Doctor (1956-1959)
Set in the Arizona Territory in the early 1900's; Dr. Baxter treats a variety
of patient's and faces various dangers in following his calling.
Kingdom of the Spiders (1977)
Set in Camp Verde, Arizona, Tarantulas that have mutated because of the
overuse of pesticides have started attacking livestock. The town’s
veterinarian Dr. Robert Hansen is called to investigate. A spider's nest is
discovered and destroyed. This helps to set the spiders on a migration towards
the town cutting it off from the rest of the world.
- California
Arachnophobia (1990)
Dr. Ross Jennings tired of city life moves to the country town of Canaima, California with his family to start a practice. While this is happening an invasive hybrid spider is spreading throughout the area. The Doctor Jennings, a spider expert Dr. James Atherton, the local exterminator Delbert McClintock, and the Sheriff Parsons must work together to save the town.
Jesse (1988)
In Meredith, CA. a small rural town the only time they have a Doctor is on
Wednesdays when one flies in. The rest of the time is Jesse Malone an LPN takes
care of the medical needs of the area. One day she is reported and arrested and
has to go to court for practicing beyond her scope of practice.
Virgin
River (2019-?)
The series is based on the Virgin River Book Series by
Robyn Carr [First Published in 2007] A Nurse Practitioner and
Midwife Melinda Monroe takes a job in the rural town of Virgin River,
California. She goes there for a fresh start after going through personal
tragedies.
- Colorado
Doc Elliot (1973)
Doctor Benjamin Elliot a Staff Doctor for
Bellevue Hospital in New York resigns and sets up practice in rural Colorado
where he makes house calls by plane and a four-wheel drive truck.
Dr. Quinn Medicine
Woman (1993-1998)
Post-Civil War a woman Doctor from Boston
is hired to be the town Doctor in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Once there she
proves herself as a Doctor, adopts 3 children, has a romance with widowed mountain
man, Byron Sully while making a home for herself.
Everwood (2002-2006)
Widowed Doctor Andrew Brown moves his family New York City to Everwood,
Colorado. Where he sets up a free clinic and finds that practicing medicine in
a small town and raising a single parent family are more challenging than he
expected.
- Connecticut
Dr. Kildare Goes Home (1940)
After completing his internship Dr. James Kildare temporarily returns home to
(fictional) Dartford, Connecticut to help his father Dr. Stephen Kildare (the only GP left in the area) and the town of
Parkersville. While facing the challenges of being a young and new to the community James Kildare creates a clinic and practice with three recently graduated/qualified Doctors before returning to a prestige position in New York City.
- Iowa
St. Nicholas, Iowa is a small town of 1500 that is about to lose the only hospital within 3 hours of the town if they cannot get a MD to take over. While this is happening former resident and MD Michael Greiser comes to town to visit family over the Christmas holiday. The mayor, city council and the town work to recruit Michael to become the town, Doctor.
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
Skelton
Key (2005)
Caroline Ellis a Hospice Nurse in Louisiana quits her job and goes to work at a
rural New Orleans Plantation helping a take care a woman of her husband that recently suffered
from a stroke. At the plantation she investigates a ghost story and Hoodoo beliefs along with other mysterious happenings around the Plantation
- Maine
Best Medicine (2026)
Hollywood remake of Doc Martin (2004-2001). Martin Best MD stops being a cardiac surgeon in Boston to be the only general practitioner in Port Wenn, Maine because of trauma and needing a fresh start.
Kingdom Hospital (2004)
Kingdom Hospital in Lewiston Maine is haunted due to being built upon a site of multiple disasters. The first was a Civil
War Era Mill that was destroyed by fire killing most of the workers. After that be a hospital that also burned down which killed most residents and staff.
Now Kingdom Hospital is a place haunted by ghosts and other supernatural creature. The staff deal with the supernatural as best they can
while the factors that will contribute to another disaster build.
Shut In (2016)
A horror thriller about a recently widowed child
psychologist Mary Portman living and working in rural Maine; Believes that her
and her injured child Stephen are in danger from a supernatural presence.
- Maryland
Better Living Through Chemistry (2014)
Set in fictional Woodbury, Maryland depressed small town pharmacist Doug
Varney, who owns and operates the only pharmacy in town in town. He gets
involved in an affair with a customer; and begins abusing prescription
pharmaceuticals along with making other poor decisions. Resulting in a crisis
where he could lose everything.
- Minnesota
Set in Rivers End Minnesota Paul Christian is an old-fashioned country, Doctor. He is facing replacement as the head of the town's public health dept se he lobbies for a hospital to be built.
The Courageous Christian (1940)
In this sequel Dr. Christian works to stop an epidemic from spreading by getting the town to make improvements to the poor part of town.
Doctor Christian (1956-1957)
The TV series has Dr. Paul Christian retiring and turning his practice over to nephew Dr. Mark Christian.
- Missouri
Kings Row (1942) (1955)
Based on the novel Kings Row by Henry Bellamann [First Published in 1940]. Set in an ideal town in 1890 Missouri two childhood friends Parris Mitchell (who wants to become a doctor) and Drake McHugh (who wants to become a businessman) grow up and face darkness within the town. Which include medical malpractice, theft, murder, suicide and scandal. In facing these things, they must make decisions on their moral beliefs and what kind of men they will be.
- Montana
DOC (2001-2004)
Doctor Clint Cassidy is from rural Montana and is not needed, so he follows a
girl to New York City. Once in New York he goes to work for an HMO
and becomes popular with his patients because of his country wisdom/ways and
his above and beyond approach to practicing medicine.
Green Light (1937)
Based on the novel Green Light by Lloyd C. Douglas [First
Published in 1934] Dr. Paige young surgeon takes the blame for a blotched
surgery for his mentor and resigns from his position. He goes to work at a
wilderness research facility in Montana. At the facility he works to find
a cure for the deadly Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
- Nebraska
Based on the novel Not As A Stranger by Morton Thompson [First Published in 1954] Following the life of Lucas Marsh a young man that dedicates himself to medicine and makes sacrifices including marrying a woman he does not love to finish his education and start his medical career. After graduating he goes to Greenville Nebraska where he faces the problems of medical practice, greed, his limits, and disillusionment.
- New Mexico
Strange
Lady In Town (1955)
Set in the 1880’s Dr. Julia Winslow Garth leaves Boston, Massachusetts to Santa
Fe, New Mexico to set up a medical practice. In Santa Fe she has disagreements
with Doctor Rourke O’Brian and tries to help her brother get out of trouble
with the law.
- New York
Change of Habit (1969)
Three Nun Sister Michelle, Sister Irene, and Sister Barbara who are also trained Nurses of different backgrounds are sent by the Catholic Action Committee to work at a free clinic run by Dr. John Carpenter that is located in underserved inner-city area of New York City, New York.
The Christmas Doctor (2020)
Traveling Doctor Zoey Garner takes an assignment in Willowbrooke, New York over the Holiday season. She falls in love with the town, reconnects with a former patient from her time as a military Doctor and celebrates Christmas.
The Doctor and The
Girl (1949)
Doctor Michael Corday a Harvard medical school
graduate with a prominent future ahead of him (if he does as his Father says)
however he falls in love and marries a poor girl resulting in his father
cutting him off from the family money connections, etc… so he becomes a general
practitioner in Manhattans Lower East Side. Based on Bodies
and Souls by Maxence Van der Meersch (Translator
Eithne Wilkins) [First Published
in 1943].
The More The Merrier (2025)
Set in Pine Ridge, New York ER Doctor Alice Rodgers is setting up her last annual Christmas celebration at Pine Ridge Community Hospital. At the same time Cardiologist Brian Davis (looking for a fresh start) is seeing his first patient at the hospital. During the next two days (December 24th and 25th) The two of them, the hospital staff, and some members of the community come together to celebrate Christmas deal with a blizzard, equipment and vehicles breaking down, and four Babies being born.
Royal
Pains (2009-2016)
Dr. Hank Lawson loses his job in New York after a wealthy patient dies in his
care. Dr. Hank with his Account brother Evan R Lawson and a local Physician’s
Assistant Divya Katedare to create a Concierge Doctor Practice in the
Hampton's.
- North Carolina
Country Remedy AKA Simple
Things (2007)
To become head of pediatrics at a Chicago
Hospital Dr. Evan Gibbs has to set up a clinic in the North Carolina. In the
Mountains of North Carolina, he reconnects with his son
and learns about life. Inspired by the book The Window of
Childhood by Olson Huff, MD [First
Published 1990].
Finding Normal (2013)
Dr. Lisa Leland is driving from
Los Angeles to New York gets arrested in Normal, North Carolina for
many traffics violations. Her punishment is to perform community service specifically to
serve the local community as a General Practitioner.
- Oregon
Evan Rendell aka Dr. Giggles is a lunatic that believes he is a MD. After he escapes from the insane asylum he has been committed to. He goes back to Moorehigh, Oregon his town. Dr. Giggles then proceeds to treat/kill/get revenge on the people of his hometown. For the death of his father the local GP that was conducting illegal medical experiments.
Mumford (1999)
In the town of Mumford, Oregon a Psychologist named Micky Mumford treats
people with unusual therapies until Unsolved Mysteries reveals
that he is not who he says he is.
- South Carolina
Doc Hollywood (1991)
Based on the novel What? Dead
Again? By Neil B
Shulman, MD [First Published 1979].
Doctor Ben Stone is driving across the country from The District of
Colombia to Las Angles, California for a job. While on this trip he takes a
wrong turn into rural Grady, South Carolina. Where he crashes his car into a
fence of the local Judge and must perform community service as the town Doctor.
- Tennessee
County Rescue (2024-?)
Set in an unidentified part of Tennessee an ambulance station serves a county. At County Rescue Three newly qualified EMT's Dani, Tim, and Griffen learn that due to cutbacks must compete for one open position while learning on the job.
- Texas
Cutter to Huston (1983)
Cutter Community Hospital is located 60 miles away from Huston Texas is run by a dedicated medical staff. When medical issues arise that are beyond what the facility can handle, they contact The Texas Medical Center in Huston, Texas.
- Vermont
Dr. Cook’s Garden (1971)
Based on the Stage Play Dr. Cook’s Garden by Ira Levin [First
Published in 1967]. Recent graduate Doctor Jimmy Tennyson returns to his
hometown in Vermont to practice family medicine. After joining Dr. Cooks
Practice Dr. Tennyson observes that some of Dr. Cook’s patients die within 24
hours after treatment. He discovers the Doctor is performing mercy killings as
well as removing unpleasant people from society.
Midwives (2001)
Based on the novel Midwives by Chris Bohjalian [First
Published in 1997]. Set in rural Vermont Midwife Sybil Danforth is dealing with
a difficult birth during a blizzard. When the patient dies, Sybil performs a C
Section saving the baby. Later Sybil is accused of murdering the mother and
must defend herself in court.
- Virginia
This TV pilot movie is set in the 1930's with Dr. Meg Laurel leaves her life in Boston to set up a practice in rural Appalachia near her hometown in Virginia. When she gets to the area she clashes with the local healer and midwife Granny Arrowroot along with the community in general as they trust the local healer. Dr. Laurel has to learn and adapt to local customs to builds her hospital and practice.
- State Not Identified, US Territories, and Other
Doctor Odyssey (2024)
Dr. Max Bankman has become the onboard Physician aboard a Luxury cruise ship; The Odyssey. Onboard He leads his team and treats various medical issues and emergences often miles away from shore or civilization.
I Walked With a Zombie (1943)
Nurse Betsy Connell is hired to care for the Jessica the wife of a plantation owner on a Caribbean Island. As she tries to help Jessica as various family secrets are revealed.
One Man's Journey (1933) A
Man to Remember (1938)
Based on the short story Failure by
Katharine Haviland-Taylor [First Published 1932]. A widowed Doctor and
his young son move to a rural town called Westport somewhere within the Midwest of the United States of America. Set
after WWI ended. The Doctor adopts an orphaned baby girl serves his community even
when his patients cannot pay, he takes IOU’s, produce, and livestock as
payment. While serving as the town Physician fights to improve medical care in
the town but faces challenges from town leaders as well as his creditors.
Stigma (1972)
Doctor Calvin Crosse goes to work in a remote island community and discovers a
syphilis outbreak is being hidden by the town.
They Rode West (1954)
1st Lt. Allen Steward MD is a newly commissioned officer is sent to his first
posting at a western fort near an Indian reservation for Kiowa. In his new post
he clashes with the fort commander Colonel Waters and the tribes Medicine
Man in regard to the treatment and prevention of malaria.
- Other: Not set in the USA but based on a book, book series or Play.
The based on a book section only has 8 books from the USA, so I am adding this extra section which at this time brings the book count up to 20. Please support current and future writers that take on this subject.
All Creatures Great and Small (1978-1990), (2020-2026)
Based on All Creatures Great and Small by James Harriot [First Published in 1972] (along with his other books in the series) After Dr. James Herriot finishes Veterinary school and takes his first job treating all kinds of animals in rural Yorkshire, England starting in 1930's.
Bad Medicine (1985)
Based on the book Calling Dr. Horowitz by Steven Horowitz, MD, and Neil Offen [First Published in 1978] Young Americans that cannot get into a medical college anywhere else go to a rundown Medical College in a fictional third world country.
Call the Midwife (2012-?)
Based on the Midwife Trilogy by Jennifer Worth [First published 2002] the TV series of the nurses, midwifes, and nuns that live and work in London's East End during the 1950’s and 60's.
China Sky (1945)
Based on the novel China Sky by, Pearl S Buck [First Published in 1941] Dr. Grey Thompson and Dr. Sara Durand run a mission hospital in rural China. When Dr. Thompson brings his new wife to the mission tensions arise between the two women. After the invading Japanese Army comes near the mission hospital they decide to treat and support Chinese Guerilla Fighters.
The Citadel (1938) (2001)
Based on the book The Citadel by A.J. Cronon [First Published in 1937] A young Doctor starts his career in a poor area but is frustrated by his attempts to improve his patients' lives and cure/prevent the chronic conditions caused by the working conditions of the largest employers. After a personal tragedy he heads to London and is tempted by easy money of treating patients of high society.
Doc Martian (2004-2021) Doc Martin (FR) (2011-2015)
A top surgeon that develops a blood phobia becomes the GP in the Coastal town of Portwenn, Cornwall, England where he had spent his summers as a child.
Doctor Finley (1993-1996)
After serving in the Royal Army Medical Core during WWII, Dr. John Finley returns to Tannochbrae, Scotland to work as a GP in a time when the practice of medicine was changing. Inspired by Dr. Finlay's Casebook by A.J. Cronin [First Published in 1928].
Hills of Home (1948)
Based on the novel A Doctor of the Old School by Ian Maclaren [First Published in 1895]. Set in Drumtochty, Scotland Dr. William Maclure is an old-fashioned country physician that is paid with a dog called Lassie that is not of use as a working dog but becomes a beloved complain animal. As he goes about his life, he wants a local child to take over his practice as he is having trouble keeping up in his later years of life. He finds one in Tammas Milton and sends him to medical school when he passes away after an accident Dr. Milton takes over the practice.
Johnny Belinda (1948, 1958, 1967, 1982)
Based on the stage play Johnny Belinda by Elmer Harris [First Published in 1940]. Dr Robert Richardson is a
young Doctor that is setting up a practice in a rural fishing village on Prince
Edward Island, Canada. As he is building his practice, he starts treatment on Belinda
MacDonald young lady that is deaf and mute to communicate. They make progress
however Belinda is raped and becomes pregnant. Dr. Richardson is blamed hurting
the innocents involved. Until the truth is revealed.
Outlander (2014-2026)
Based on the Outlander Novels by, Diana Gabaldon [First Published in 1991] A Post WWII Nurse travels back in time to 18th Century Scotland while on Vacation with her husband. In the past she works as a healer and gets involved with the people and events of that time. So, she has to decide to stay in the past or go back to the future.
The Painted Veil (1934) (2006)
Based on the novel The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham [First Published in 1925]. Set in the 1920's Kitty a woman of British high society gets married to a Doctor based out of China. Having married him for the wrong reasons she quickly has an affair. When her husband finds out he gives her a choice of divorce or to go with him to rural China.
Sister Kenny (1946)
Based on And They Shall Walk: The Life Story of Elizabeth Kenny by Elizabeth
Kenny and Martha Ostenso [First Published in 1943]. Nurse Elizabeth
Kenny developed treatments for infants suffering from polio and fought for her
treatments to be accepted by the medical establishment.
Currently there are only Nine of these titles are from the USA; The other titles come from Outside of the film/TV shows are based on a book, book series or play.
- A Doctor of the Old School by Ian Maclaren [First Published in 1895] Hills of Home (1948)
- The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham [First Published in 1925] The Painted Veil (1934) (2006)
- Dr. Finlay's Casebook by A.J. Cronin [First Published in 1928] Doctor Finley (1993-1996)
- Failure by Katharine Haviland-Taylor [First Published 1932] One
Man's Journey (1933) A
Man to Remember (1938)
- Green Light by Lloyd C. Douglas [First Published in 1934] Green Light (1937)
- The Citadel by A.J. Cronon [First Published in 1937] The Citadel (1938) (2001)
- Kings Row by Henry Bellamann [First Published in 1940] Kings Row (1942/1955)
-
- And They Shall Walk: The Life Story of Elizabeth Kenny by Elizabeth Kenny and Martha Ostenso [First Published in 1943] Sister Kenney (1946)
- Not As A Stranger by Morton Thompson [First Published in 1954] Not As A Stranger (1955)
- China Sky by, Pearl S Buck [First Published in 1941] China Sky (1945)
- All Creatures Great and Small by James Harriot [First Published in 1972] All Creatures Great and Small (1978-1990), (2020-2024)
- Calling Dr. Horowitz by Steven Horowitz, MD, and Neil Offen [First Published in 1978] Bad Medicine (1985)
- What? Dead Again? By Neil B Shulman, MD [First
Published 1979] Doc Hollywood (1991)
- Window of Childhood by Olson Huff, MD [First Published 1990] Country Remedy AKA Simple Things (2007)
- Outlander Novels by, Diana Gabaldon [First Published in 1991] Outlander (2014-?)
- Miss Evers Boys by David Feldshuh [First Published in 1995] Miss Evers Boys (1997)
- Midwives by Chris Bohjalian [First
Published in 1997] Midwives (2001)
- Midwife Trilogy by Jennifer Worth [First published 2002] Call the Midwife (2012-?)
- Virgin River by Robyn Carr [First Published in 2007] Virgin River (2019-?)
- Doc Martin: Practice Makes Perfect by Sam North [First Published in 2013] Doc Martin: Mistletoe and Whine by Sam North [First Published in 2013] Doc Martian (2004-2021)
