Feminism met the TV doctor show met soap opera in this 1988 series. Women's
Medical Arts was a new clinic founded by Doctors Joanne (Kate Mulgrew)
and Eve, who believed that women should chart their own direction in the
traditionally male-dominated world of medicine (though there were men on
their staff), and an unintimidating relationship between patient and doctor.
At WMA, patients were encouraged to call physicians by their first names
("Don't I call her 'doctor'?" "Not around here...it's too much of a barrier
between patient and doctor").
Dr. Springsteen was a gynecologist and the driving force behind WMA; Eve,
a surgeon; Leo, a handsome pediatrician and Joanne's love interest; Stan,
a worried psychiatrist; Cory, a young black doctor and mother of two; and
Paul, the group's fertility specialist. Their battles were fought in the
clinic, at male-dominated Bay General Hospital, with which they were affiliated,
and sometimes the bedroom.
Heartbeat returned in early 1989 with a few more episodes, and a few cast
and name changes, but it was no more successful. For reasons that were
not explained, Eve's last name was now Calvert, and Joanne's was Halloran.
Heartbeat was awarded the People's Choice Award for Best New Drama.
TRIVIA: Joanne's dog is named Noah, and Eve's pet mouse is named Maevette.
Bill Conti composed the theme.
source - The Complete Directory
to Primetime Network and Cable TV Shows 1946 - Present by Tim Brooks
and Earle Marsh and The Ultimate TV Trivia Book by Vincent Terrace
