
The popular medical drama *New Amsterdam* is based on a fictional hospital of the same name, which is inspired by Bellevue Hospital in New York City. The show is also inspired by the life and experiences of Dr. Eric Manheimer, who served as the medical director of Bellevue Hospital and wrote a book about his time there, titled *Twelve Patients: Life and Death at Bellevue Hospital*. The show's protagonist, Dr. Max Goodwin, is based on Dr. Manheimer, and the show's creator, David Schulner, has credited Dr. Manheimer for his contributions to the show as a producer and writer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the hospital | New Amsterdam Hospital |
| Location | New York City |
| Year of establishment | 1766 |
| Type of hospital | Public |
| Size | Large |
| Number of seasons | 5 |
| Main character | Dr. Max Goodwin |
| Real-life inspiration for the hospital | Bellevue Hospital, New York City |
| Real-life inspiration for Dr. Max Goodwin | Dr. Eric Manheimer |
| Book that inspired the series | "Twelve Patients: Life and Death at Bellevue Hospital" |
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What You'll Learn

New Amsterdam is a fictional hospital
The fictional New Amsterdam Hospital is portrayed as a magnificent place in the series, known for treating high-profile patients, including the President of the United States, Rikers prisoners, and Ebola patients. The hospital is also depicted as facing challenges, such as being understaffed and underfunded.
The main character of the series, Dr. Max Goodwin, is based on a real-life doctor, Dr. Eric Manheimer, who served as the chief medical officer at Bellevue Hospital for 15 years. Dr. Manheimer also battled throat cancer, which is mirrored by Dr. Goodwin's character in the show.
In addition to the hospital and the main character, other aspects of the show are inspired by real-life events and people. Dr. Manheimer's book, "Twelve Patients: Life and Death at Bellevue Hospital," serves as the main inspiration for the series, with the story focusing on the social and political issues within the healthcare system and the patients' narratives.
The show's authenticity is further enhanced by its filming location, with many scenes shot inside Bellevue Hospital itself, as well as other real hospitals in New York. This blend of fictional storytelling and real-world inspiration has contributed to the popularity of the "New Amsterdam" series.
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The show is based on Bellevue Hospital, NYC
The show "New Amsterdam" is based on Bellevue Hospital in New York City. The hospital is the oldest in the United States, having opened in 1736 as a small infirmary with just a few beds. Over time, it expanded into a large medical facility with modern amenities and over 840 beds.
The series was inspired by the experiences of Dr. Eric Manheimer, who served as Bellevue's medical director for 15 years before leaving in 2012. During his time at the hospital, Manheimer kept journals documenting his observations, patient interactions, and various medical conditions. These journals were later published as a memoir, titled "Twelve Patients: Life and Death at Bellevue Hospital." The book served as the primary inspiration for the show, with Manheimer himself joining the production as a writer and producer.
The fictional New Amsterdam Hospital in the series is based on Bellevue, with the show even being filmed on location at the hospital to add authenticity. The protagonist of the show, Dr. Max Goodwin, is based on Manheimer, including their shared experience of battling throat cancer while working as a doctor.
The show's focus on the inner workings of the hospital, including its struggles with understaffing and underfunding, sets it apart from other medical dramas that often centre on doctors' personal lives. The combination of real-world inspiration and fictional elements in "New Amsterdam" creates a believable and engaging medical drama.
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The show's protagonist, Dr. Max Goodwin, is based on Dr. Eric Manheimer
The show New Amsterdam is based on Bellevue Hospital in New York City, the oldest hospital in the US. The show's protagonist, Dr. Max Goodwin, is based on Dr. Eric Manheimer, who served as the hospital's chief medical officer for 15 years before leaving in 2012. Dr. Manheimer also battled throat cancer, just like his on-screen counterpart.
Dr. Manheimer's memoir, "Twelve Patients: Life and Death at Bellevue Hospital", inspired the series. The book is based on his years of journaling observations while working at the hospital. He wanted to tell the patients' stories and highlight the social and political issues festering in the country. The show's pilot was written by David Schulner, and Dr. Manheimer was expected to serve as a producer.
The show is set in the fictional New Amsterdam Hospital, which is based on Bellevue. The series focuses on the hospital's mission to fix its neglected facility and provide exceptional care to patients by tearing up its bureaucracy. While the hospital is fictional, the show films on location in a real hospital, giving it a very real feel.
Dr. Manheimer's experiences as a doctor and his time at Bellevue Hospital provided the foundation for the show and its protagonist, Dr. Max Goodwin. The show draws on real-world elements and showcases the proceedings of running a hospital, making the events and characters feel authentic and believable.
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Dr. Manheimer was the chief medical officer at Bellevue for 15 years
The NBC medical drama series New Amsterdam is based on a real hospital and a real person. The show's main setting, New Amsterdam Hospital, is a fictional facility inspired by Bellevue Hospital in New York City, the oldest hospital in the United States, dating back to 1736.
Dr. Eric Manheimer, the former medical director and chief medical officer at Bellevue Hospital, is the inspiration for the show's protagonist, Dr. Max Goodwin. Manheimer served as chief medical officer at Bellevue for 15 years, from 1997 to 2012. During his time at Bellevue, Manheimer kept journals and took extensive notes on his observations of the hospital, its patients, and the broader social and political context. He also battled throat cancer and melanoma, similar to his onscreen counterpart, Dr. Goodwin.
Manheimer's book, "Twelve Patients: Life and Death at Bellevue Hospital," published in 2012, provides a raw and fascinating insight into the daily challenges of a public hospital in Manhattan. The book recounts Manheimer's experiences dealing with a cash-strapped hospital, the diverse patient population, and his own health struggles. The TV series New Amsterdam draws heavily from Manheimer's book and his real-life experiences as a physician administrator and leader in a complex hospital environment.
Bellevue Hospital is described as an extraordinary place, with a broad range of services, including a 100-bed secure medical ward, a large psychiatric inpatient unit, a dual diagnosis ward, and even a courtroom. The show's filming locations included not just Bellevue but also other hospitals and notable sites in New York City, contributing to the authenticity of the series.
While the show takes creative liberties and dramatizes certain aspects, the core inspiration comes from Dr. Manheimer's 15-year tenure at Bellevue Hospital and his dedication to understanding his patients and improving their care.
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Dr. Manheimer's book, 'Twelve Patients', inspired the series
The NBC medical drama series New Amsterdam is inspired by Dr. Eric Manheimer's book, "Twelve Patients: Life and Death at Bellevue Hospital". Dr. Manheimer served as the chief medical officer of Bellevue Hospital, the oldest public hospital in the country, for 15 years before leaving in 2012. The book is a compilation of his years of journaling his observations while on the job.
In the book, Dr. Manheimer chose twelve diverse patients, himself among them, to narrate the story of the social and political issues festering in the country. The patients come from a wide range of economic and cultural backgrounds, including trauma victims, chronic disease patients, and those with mental illnesses. From dignitaries at the nearby UN to supermax prisoners at Riker's Island, illegal immigrants, and Wall Street tycoons, Dr. Manheimer explores the complexities of the American healthcare system and how it provides care for those most in need.
The book reads like a series of interconnected short stories, offering a blend of each patient's personal experiences with their social implications. It provides a fascinating and rich insight into the life of a physician, as well as the challenges and rewards of working in a large hospital. Dr. Manheimer's own battle with throat cancer is also woven into the narrative, giving readers a glimpse into the mind-body connection and the emotional struggles of a doctor facing their own mortality while trying to save the lives of others.
The TV series New Amsterdam is loosely based on this book, with the main character, Dr. Max Goodwin, inspired by Dr. Manheimer. While the show takes creative liberties and adds its own fictional elements, it retains the theme of the medical director battling throat cancer. The show's setting, New Amsterdam Hospital, is also a fictional facility based on Bellevue Hospital, with filming taking place at the real hospital in New York City.
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Frequently asked questions
New Amsterdam Hospital is a fictional facility based on Bellevue Hospital in New York City, the oldest hospital in the US.
New Amsterdam is a medical drama that focuses on the hardships of running an understaffed and underfunded hospital. The show follows Dr. Max Goodwin and his efforts to turn the hospital around.
Yes, Dr. Max Goodwin is inspired by Dr. Eric Manheimer, who served as chief medical officer of Bellevue Hospital for 15 years before leaving in 2012.
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