The Young Doctors 1961

David Coleman is a young doctor hired by a hospital’s pathology department. The head of the department, Dr. Joseph Pearson, sees him as a rival, and they clash over many medical issues. Cathy Hunt is a student nurse at the hospital, who develops a tumor in her knee. Coleman falls in love with her. Pearson believes the tumor is malignant and that the leg should be amputated, but Coleman disagrees. Coleman orders three blood tests on Mrs. Elizabeth Alexander, an expectant mother whose baby may have hemolytic disease, but Pearson believes that the tests are excessive and cancels the third test. Mrs. Alexander is married to a young intern at the hospital, played by Dick Clark. Together, Coleman and the intern advocate for the third test, arguing that more information can save the baby. When the baby is born seriously ill, Dr. Charles Dornberger, the OB/GYN, berates Pearson and conducts a blood transfusion to save the baby’s life. Dornberger’s actions underscore a turning point in the hospital’s leadership and reveal the stakes of the disagreement between doctors and hospital bureaucracy. Pearson’s future at the hospital becomes uncertain, and he resigns. Coleman has changed his mind about Cathy’s tumor and agrees with Pearson’s decision, while Pearson says that Coleman reminds him of himself when he was young and urges him not to let hospital bureaucracy wear him down.