When the creators of The Pitt, a new medical drama set in a fictional Pittsburgh hospital, first conceptualized the show, authenticity was paramount. That’s why executive producers Michael Hissrich and John Wells reached out to Pittsburgh-based Allegheny Health Network and its flagship facility, Allegheny General Hospital, to be a part of the series.
The production team, including production designer Nina Ruscio, saw Allegheny General Hospital as the ideal real-world reference point for the show’s setting: a bustling, urban Level I trauma center that offered both clinical credibility and cinematic views of downtown Pittsburgh. Allegheny Health Network welcomed the opportunity when the organization was first approached by producers in 2024.
“This was not going to be Grey’s Anatomy or ER. They wanted to create something new that really showcased the heroic efforts of frontline caregivers,” Dan Laurent, vice president of communications at Allegheny Health Network, told Becker’s. “That reassurance gave us confidence. We’re always looking for ways to honor our caregivers, and this aligned perfectly.”
The health system saw value in participating—so long as the partnership wouldn’t disrupt patient care. Filming at Allegheny General Hospital was limited to just three days, with the vast majority of scenes filmed on a recreated emergency department set in Los Angeles. To ensure visual continuity, the team worked with CMU-trained designers and used 3D imaging to replicate the facility.
“They were very meticulous,” Candace Herrington, manager of external corporate communications at Allegheny Health Network, told Becker’s. “Everything from the color of the tiles to the structure of the hospital pillars was studied to match the real Allegheny General Hospital as closely as possible.”
Allegheny General Hospital’s clinical leaders also played an advisory role, consulting with producers to ensure an accurate portrayal of life in a high-acuity hospital. This included the health system’s chair of emergency medicine, chief nursing officer of the emergency department, and leaders from AHN’s LifeFlight air medical program.
According to Mr. Laurent and Ms. Herrington, the response from health system staff has been overwhelmingly positive since the show debuted on streaming platform Max on Jan. 9.
“It’s been validating for many of our caregivers,” Ms. Herrington said. “They’ve told us their families didn’t truly understand what they go through every day until they saw the show.”
The series’ star, Noah Wyle—well known for his role in the original ER—visited Allegheny General Hospital, taking time to meet with staff and take photos. Allegheny Health Network also hosted a screening of the first episode for employees, with Mr. Wyle and the show’s producers joining remotely for a Q&A session.
“It’s done wonders for morale,” Mr. Laurent said. “Anywhere I go across our 14 hospitals, people are talking about The Pitt.”
As the production team begins discussing season two, Allegheny Health Network is keeping the door open for continued collaboration.
“We’ve had studios approach us before, and it’s usually intrusive and difficult,” Mr. Laurent said. “But this was different. For The Pitt, we were all in—and we still are.”
While Allegheny Health Network may not be launching its own entertainment division like some health systems, the network sees strategic value in thoughtful storytelling that highlights the human side of healthcare. And for now, The Pitt is proving to be just the right kind of spotlight.
Since its debut, The Pitt’s first season concluded with a 97% Rotten Tomatoes critics’ score, according to Warner Bros. Studio, with the first 14 episodes averaging more than 10 million global viewers.
