How one EMSC expert helped shape The Pitt
- Published April 30, 2025
In a bold reimagining of the medical drama genre, The Pitt, a new Max series from ER veterans Noah Wyle and John Wells, is earning praise for its gripping authenticity and emotional depth. Set in a bustling emergency department (ED) and unfolding in real time over 15 high-intensity episodes, the show offers viewers a rare, unfiltered look into the chaos, compassion, and complexity of emergency medicine.
But what sets The Pitt apart? Its commitment to realism—powered in part by the lived expertise of Sylvia Owusu-Ansah, MD, MPH, FAAP, part of EMSC’s Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network and EMS Medical Director at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center - Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh.
Highlighting the needs of pediatric patients
Dr. Owusu-Ansah consulted with the show’s writers, offering candid insights into the unique challenges of America’s emergency care system. The show includes several pediatric cases, from an infant with a hidden hair tourniquet to a teen with mental health issues, highlighting the high stakes of caring for kids. With its no-score soundtrack, medical boot camps, and expert advisors, The Pitt has won praise from health care professionals for capturing the urgency, emotion, and complexity of life in the ED.
Read more about Dr. Owusu-Ansah’s involvement through this recent interview.
Elevating pediatric emergency awareness through storytelling
Dr. Owusu-Ansah’s contributions to The Pitt exemplify how the EMSC Program and its experts are influencing not just clinical practice—but public perception of Pediatric Readiness and emergency care challenges.
By blending education with entertainment, The Pitt serves as a powerful platform to highlight the critical need for preparedness, training, and resources in pediatric emergency medicine.