I'm a writer and producer for the NBC drama, "Medical Investigation." I'm also a licensed physical therapist who believes that nurses are the most overworked and unappreciated professionals in health care. So imagine my surprise when I read that an episode of my show had been named as one of the worst portrayals of nursing in the media ("Media Coverage of Nurses: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly," Clinical Rounds, March). This episode was inspired by the true story of a serial killer who turned out to be a nurse and who murdered at least 37 hospital patients.
Your article failed to mention that another nurse in my episode acted as a whistle-blower, alerting the authorities that his hospital had an unusually high number of deaths from a virulent nosocomial infection. This nurse risked his job and career to expose a cover-up. He was instrumental in solving the mystery and saving lives.
I'd like to set the record straight: I'm not out to denigrate nursing, a profession for which I have the highest regard.
MARK M. DODSON, PT
Lexington, Ky.