TOP 10 MEDICAL SERIES OF ALL TIME

10. DR. KILDARE/BEN CASEY (TIE)

These two shows harkened in the birth of popular, mainstream doctor-as-hero shows. Up 2 d early 1960s Dr. Kildare, a series based on the popular movies, and starring the strikingly handsome Richard Chamberlain.

About the same time another network aired its own medical show, Ben Casey. Here was the "anti-Kildare." Casey, as portrayed by Vince Edwards was a brilliant surgeon but a bit gruff (with a heart of gold of course). Sound familiar? .

Casey was Dr. House before there was a Dr. House. Both shows were ratings winners and made stars of their lead actors.

Vital signs (Kildare):
Years ran: 1961-1966
Awards: 9 nominations, 2 wins, including Best Actor (Chamberlain)

Vital signs (Ben Casey):
Years ran: 1961-1966
Awards: 14 nominations, 3 awards

9. NURSE JACKIE

Edie Falco had just left The Sopranos, when she landed this role as a nurse with a bucket load of personal problems. One of SHOWTIME's most popular original series ever.

Jackie Peyton, an overworked RN, got through her days on drugs, which made each story either dramatic, comedic or both, often at the same time. The show ended its run this past June.

Vital signs:
Years ran: 2009-2015
Awards: Falco won an Emmy for Best Actress in 2010; Show has had 79 nominations for various awards and won 13, including Falco's Emmy.

8. NIP/TUCK

A medical drama that is as sharp as a surgeon's scalpel. The insidious adventures, often sexual, of 2 plastic surgeons, with South Florida n Beverly Hills practices as backdrop. Watchin it, you often didn't knw if it was satire or drama; maybe best to call it dramedy

Through the years you were treated to several star turns (satire, Ms. Rivers?) as viewers joyfully watched the wretched personal lives of two very successful business partners, and surgeons.

Vital signs:
Years ran: 2003-2010
Awards: 50 nominations, 10 wins, including program of the year. Emmy and Golden Globe award winner.

7. SCRUBS

Scrubs follows the story of John Michael "J.D." Dorian as he begins his medical career at Sacred Heart Hospital. The show occasionally veers into more serious or dramatic story lines, and has earned praise for the accuracy of both its medicine and its depiction of the

early-career experience. At its core, however, Scrubs strives for bizarre, even absurd comedy first and foremost, and places detailed depictions of medical practice

Vital signs:
Years ran: 2001-201
Awards: 117 nominations and 31 wins, including lead acting by Braff

6. ST. ELSEWHERE

St. Elsewhere enjoyed great popularity in the 1980s, in no small part thanks to a star-studded cast. Show alumni include Denzel Washington, Howie Mandel, David Morse, and Mark Harmon.

The show drew both praise and criticism for the twist at the very end of its final episode, but its impact on popular culture endures to this day.

Vital signs:
Years ran: 1982-1988
Awards: 83 nominations, 24 wins, including Outstanding Drama and Best Actor

5. GENERAL HOSPITAL

You mean you've never seen an episode of this long-running afternoon soap opera? Or you've never heard of Luke and Laura? Where have you been the last 50 years?

Like most soap operas, this one had its share of murders, marriages, mistresses and general all around mayhem. But what really stands out are the number of big stars who got their start on GH. And

Elizabeth Taylor, who was such a fan that she signed up for a series of guest appearances as one of the key characters in a story arc.

Vital signs:
Years ran: 1963- present
Awards: 494 nominations, 246 wins including many best actress, best show/doctor awards.

4. GREY'S ANATOMY

There was no stopping Grey's Anatomy when it first aired in 2005. Ratings and awards were a given. Women swooned over McDreamy (Dempsey)…but the core of the show were the women doctors, strong, sexy and very smart.

Yes, the show is a soap opera of sorts, and a long running one at that. But despite cast changes, the show rolls on, still popular, still ground-breaking.

Vital signs:
Years ran: 2005-present
Awards: 172 nominations, 61 wins, including best drama and best actress

3. MASH

A classic, in every sense of the word. Based on the Robert Altman movie of the same name, no one could have expected the TV series to even approach the popularity of the flick, which was a not so veiled criticism of war in general,

Vital signs:
Years ran: 1972-
Awards: 153 nominations (Golden Globes, Emmy) and 61wins, including Best Comedy, Best Actor (Alda)

2. HOUSE

You may fight us on this one. "Many critics think that House is the best medical show ever", and that would be hard to deny. The original pitch was simple: Sherlock Holmes as doctor who solves mysterious cases every week. So far, so good.

But the way actor Hugh Laurie played the character broke all the rules. How many drug addicted, grumpy, rude genius doctors become heroes and star in a long running TV show? House was never likeable, but the shows were brilliantly written and acted. A show for the ages.

Vital signs:
Years ran: 2004-2012
Awards: 116 nominations (Golden Globes, Emmy) and 53 wins, including Best Drama, Best Actor (Laurie, 2006,2007)

1. E.R

E.R. ruled the airwaves for 15 years, with its mix of drama, comedy, and love set in a large city emergency room. And the stars George Clooney became a mega star based on his work in ER. Julianne Margulies as well, was introduced to the world.

E. R. was more than about just love and lives gained and lost. It was must see-TV at the very highest level of artistic achievement.

Vital signs:
Years ran: 1994-2009
Awards: 356 nominations, 151 wins, including Best Series, and many Best Actor and Actresses Emmy, Golden Globes.

The others
NIGHT SHIFT

MONDAY MORNINGS

THE RESIDENT

GOOD DOCTOR

NEW AMSTERDAM

CHICAGO MED

RUSH (1 season)

HOLBY CITY

RED BAND SOCIETY