Bob Reveals She Is Actually A Doctor | ER

Quiet ER aide Bogdanilivetsky "Bob" Romansky (Malgorzata Gebel) does an operation on a patient in the ER when there are no surgeons available, revealing that she was a surgeon in her native Poland, and wants to become a doctor in America.
From "Blizzard" (Season 1 Episode 10)
First broadcast December 8, 1994
Get ER on
Google Play: bit.ly/ER-Google
iTunes: apple.co/31TcYqF
or stream the whole series
on Hulu at www.hulu.com (US)
or All4 at www.channel4.com/programmes/er (UK)
This is NOT an official channel and is in no way associated with any organization, individual or entity involved with the production and/or distribution of ER.

[@mindya1799]

She chose saving a life over her career. The kind of doctor needed.

[@PhysicalMediaPreventsWea-bx1zm]

What career? At that point she was basically just a janitor

[@mindya1799]

@@PhysicalMediaPreventsWea-bx1zm Did you watch?

[@MehWhatever99]

@@PhysicalMediaPreventsWea-bx1zmshe was trying to pass the boards she thought operating like that would mean she wouldn’t be allowed to to practice again. So yes, she was putting her career on the line.

[@anastasiaanastasia9182]

@@PhysicalMediaPreventsWea-bx1zm she was learning English in order to pass the boards and get the USA license, so she can work as a surgeon again, she thought operating without the license was against the rules and they wouldn't allow her to practice. Not sure how it would be in the reality, maybe if other doctors explained they were short staffed and she saved a patient, the boards people would be really thankful as Dr Carter said.

[@zoemn24]

I’m a little upset that they didn’t do more with her character! She was a hell of a Doctor, the pressure she was under right there in front of the patients wife and everything and Bob took complete control of the situation with such an air of calmness.

[@johnsteigerwald9119]

I'm more than a little upset. What a wasted opportunity!

[@JTRocks1]

Yeah! 😯@@johnsteigerwald9119

[@wijr77]

@@johnsteigerwald9119 Totally!

[@wendyhardin5259]

Same here.

[@MChantal76]

I couldn't agree with you more! Bob was a great character and a missed opportunity for the show to expand on her and her experience.

[@klauss7899]

As a foreign MD in this country and going through the same process as Bob, I totally relate with her. I was in tears watching this scene.

[@andrewishii1523]

Thank you for coming. We need as many as we can get.

[@Chonoryokusha]

The system needs to be streamlined.

[@nemo227]

We were all in tears watching this scene. The people we rub elbows with every day have skills & secrets we never know about. And, of course, some are also incredibly stupid too.

[@hannahdyson7129]

​@@ChonoryokushaAnd it puts of the best . They won't come to the US

[@william2154]

Have you ever also suddenly cut into a patient while unscrubbed and started performing surgery in the middle of the ER waiting room too?

[@Nancy-xg9nc]

The genuine kindness of John Carter...what a great character.

[@Gemmarose9012]

I love him

[@duncanmills391]

One of the good guys!

[@annatribe4244]

I wish he had arranged for her to take the doctors exam.

[@Nancy-xg9nc]

@@annatribe4244 Those are set up by the state.

[@jonstefanik9400]

Just Carter being Carter.

[@queenfan45]

I love her acting during the surgery. She shows nothing but calmness and confidence during the surgery, not hesitating once. But as soon as it’s over, the fear and anxiety takes over again.

[@CitizenPerkins]

I agree! The first time I saw this scene I was freaking out that "Desk Clerk Bob" was slicing & dicing a patient! WTH! 🤣🤣🤣 That was some great TV at the time.

[@hothotheat3000]

It’s like muscle memory. You go into autopilot.

[@aquilesriffo]

her secret was discovered

[@rscottdjr]

Not just that but she did a great job with the small smile showing us that she got it. Then the fear creeps in.

[@erglis7]

That is what usually happens. Do your work first panic after the work is done.

[@michaelzahnle5649]

It's an absolute crime that they did not bring "Doctor Bob" back during the final story arc as a board certified surgeon.

[@amandaf4720]

I didn't realize how desperately I wanted this until I read this comment. 😭

[@joemckim1183]

I don't think the actress has done anything since being on ER, so I don't think they could've if they wanted to.

[@Ena83]

She actually starred in the "Schindler's List" ​@@joemckim1183

[@hannahdyson7129]

Realistically, she would never be a doctor after this .

[@Ena83]

@@joemckim1183 she also starred in "Schindler's List" 😉

[@warmcozy]

The actress playing Bob really nailed that surgery scene. The look in her eyes as she worked to stabilize the patient was expert.

[@aaronburgin1442]

One of the few times ER dropped the ball on developing a good storyline.

[@aymarafan7669]

@Aaron Burgin I felt the same way! Could’ve totally made an episode or perhaps even a TV movie like what “Law & Order” did for one of it’s characters, and definitely expand her story. I wonder if Małgorzata just wasn’t interested in being in the show anymore after first season, but could just be writers saying “Nah she’s not interesting character..” oh how wrong they were then.

[@aaronburgin1442]

@@aymarafan7669 i mean, how dope would it have been to see Carter help her pass her license exams? But noooo, we had to start pairing him off with every unattached woman in the hospital starting with Harper 😂

[@aymarafan7669]

@@aaronburgin1442 Yeah really didn’t like that series of women, Harper, Keaton, ex of Chase’s to name a few. I get what the creators were doing with those stories but even if no romantic pairing with “Bob” at least keep her around in some sort of way. Feel like they got rid of Patrick as well with no explanation of I can’t remember what happened to his character. *EDIT* Timmy vanished as well

[@aaronburgin1442]

@@aymarafan7669 Timmy vanished, then reappeared in Seasons 13 and 14, then vanished again. Patrick...yeah, they "Bob'd" him too LOL

[@aymarafan7669]

@@aaronburgin1442 Huh some reason I don’t remember him reappearing, must’ve missed or something, funny how he disappears once more. Poor Patrick getting “Bob’d.” I found out that Małgorzata Gebel was in “Schindler’s List” which was directed and produced by Spielberg the year before ER, and since Spielberg helped develop ER Malgorzata must’ve been invited by him to be recurring character.

[@abefrohammer3105]

This scene reminds me of Afghan doctors and medics I worked with. They did so much medicine that they could never use here and would end up working as gas station clerks to support their families. They still cherished the opportunity to get their family out of danger.

[@MikeRoberts1964]

The dishwasher in a restaurant I worked at was a Poli Sci Professor back in Bangladesh or somewhere.

[@stephaniemartin-ward4578]

I teach ESL at a community college and I had a group of Afghan refugees who were engineers back in Afghanistan and are driving Uber here. They were some of my favorite students ever.

[@Sara-zi3kl]

Literally the story of my father. He was a doctor in Afghanistan and fled to the US with mother and older brother because of the Russians. He worked as a janitor in a psych hospital in NY and couldn't afford med school here

[@abefrohammer3105]

@@Sara-zi3kl so many times I get frustrated with Americans that don't appreciate all the things they take for granted. Many of the best meals and conversations I've had in life were sitting in front of a palatial spread on the ground with people I could barely speak with directly. Afghan culture brought many of the highest highs and lowest lows in my life. I think often of the people I befriended over there and pray for them to get a Visa or just remain safe, even if I'm not particularly religious.

[@hamsandwichindahouse]

Sorry. Let me explain further: Americans appreciate living in an stable, non-violent democracy ruled by law. Afghanis don’t. Maybe Afghanis should set aside their tribal differences and build a nation that actually works so they don’t have to live in “extremely harsh” conditions. It would be nice to say something positive about Afghanis other than “Golly, they’re gracious hosts and cook delicious meals despite being their own worst enemies when it comes to securing a lasting peace so their children can have clean drinking water and survive childhood.”

[@ctmagnus760]

A scene I could never ever forget. I wish they had developed her character more.

[@Robert-qz1xz]

I couldn't agree more with that.

[@actuary33]

What about Bob? Lol

[@TheElderOne2003]

@@actuary33 where is Jay?

[@jem1009]

Yes this would have made a good storyline.

[@robingardella6240]

Yes!!

[@amipadme3985]

I love how, at 0:15, without anyone noticing, she's super-intently looking at the film right over Susan's shoulder. This whole Bob-to-the-rescue thing was a great moment on a great show.

[@panda5122]

I have seen this episode many times but this was the first time I noticed that!

[@vickenator]

I never caught this in many rewatches! Thanks for a great catch!

[@Loveroffood41]

I didn't notice that until you said something. Thanks for pointing that out.

[@crimsonclover9871]

I love that the patient's wife never doubted what Bob was doing and was so chill. This is a storyline that could have gone further.

[@joemckim1183]

The wife probably didn't realize the person doing surgery on her was only employed as a desk clerk. All she knew is that she was another doctor.

[@kenhoward3512]

That the patient's wife didn't become hysterical when Bob opened him up was the least-believable part of this scene.

[@robbiehall9958]

The scene when Bob took the initiative is my favorite scene of any ER episode. I wish they would have made her a permanent cast member as she fits the shoes so naturally. A shining diamond indeed

[@ltmundy1164]

In the midst of the worst of humanity, you *will* find the best of humankind...

[@achill6080]

Yeah they pretty much left her a stooge! As soon as the episode was over she was back to bed pans!

[@Augiegrl12]

Why didn't they bring her back in the final season as a vascular surgeon or something? That would have been nice way to give closure to her character

[@jimquantic]

They call that "forgotten character" I HATE THAT WHEN THEY DO THAT.

[@AegisNova]

THAT would have been great!

[@christy19802660123]

I think that would of been great.

[@aymarafan7669]

They should’ve made like a TV movie or whole episode somewhere in the series centered on her character and see where she is.

[@jenniferwilliams5478]

Thought she was only in one episode

[@jivebunny3765]

And this is why ER was the best show on TV for many years.

[@JanineLundgren]

Absolutely!

[@doug99]

When I was in the Army one of my Arabic instructors had been a dentist in Egypt. After a few years of teaching Arabic she quit and went to American dental school and opened up her own practice. She's my dentist now.

[@TheJBSChannel]

How's your Arabic?

[@doug99]

@@TheJBSChannel Rusty, but I can get by.

[@anesnt6645]

such a nice story, I had tears in my eyes.

[@kennethbobu3989]

Hey Doug, when were you at DLI? I had a few Chinese instructors who were something quite different than language instructors in China before the revolution, but when they came to the US, they taught us instead! ;-)

[@psychicspy1234]

@@anesnt6645 😂😂😂😂😂

[@MikeWilsonBarrett]

Why they abandoned her story is one of the biggest mysteries of the entire show.

[@AlyssMa7rin]

That's the problem with an ensemble cast. You have to cut something after a point, and it sucks when the 'something' is good. @YourEternalSoul666

[@JoshD9-4]

this makes me so sad i just started watching this series and this was such a great scene she would of been such an interesting character to see develop

[@petergaskin1811]

Best 5 minutes in the whole show. Ever.

[@nancyhsu5565]

I get emotional every time I see this scene. The actress who plays "Bob" (Malgorzata Gebel) is so charismatic. She should be a huge star! Malgorzata also reminds me of Greta Garbo, but more down to earth. I hope she continues acting and hopefully her talent will bring better roles to make her a household name.

[@kendranannettej.jeffery8925]

Bob' s character had so much potential. I wish they would've developed her character more. She has so much potential.

[@michaelreece2966]

This is one of my absolutely favorite clips from ER.

[@cards0486]

BLIZZARD is one of my absolutely favorite episodes. The scene when they’re waiting for the mass of patients to come; standing silently as the sirens get closer and louder...gosh! That thrills me every time.

[@er-emergencyroom434]

cards0486 It's one of ours too! We've actually got that scene uploaded here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpScd5ZpdpdjrLc

[@Falkore02]

and I love the callback they did on the final episode. Such a fitting way to end the series.

[@jang7675]

cards0486 This is my favorite Episode of the entire series. If I only had time to watch one episode of ER, this was always it.

[@red2977]

yea that was a classic episode that stuck with me through the years.

[@GORT70]

Agreed

[@dkchen]

My mother was a doctor in Taiwan, and it was very typical for them to work on head injuries all the time (Taiwan nobody wears helmets on motorcycles there). When she immigrated to the US, they wouldn't let her touch any head injuries because she was deemed "inexperienced" Of course an incident happened, and she had to treat someone in the ER for a head injury. She got a lot of machomen dudes upset, but she saved a life.

[@FrankWolenczak]

If I was her, after it was done I would have said "Sift that into your pipe and smoke it."

[@MsMelissaAnn]

I live in Taiwan currently, nearly everyone wears helmets now. It's the law.

[@dkchen]

@@MsMelissaAnn This was like ... 40+ years ago.

[@bearswithglasses]

People wear helmets in the north because they actually enforce the laws. Just don't ask anyone to wear a helmet south of Taichung.

[@bearswithglasses]

@@MsMelissaAnn I assume you live in the north 😂 Tainan, Kaoshiung, Hengchun... no one wears a helmet, or in the CMR like in Puli. Only the north regularly wears helmets.

[@CindersVale]

I always wanted Bob to show back up now and then. At least mention what happened to her character. I was really disappointed that Bob disappeared after this episode.

[@essaboselin5252]

She did appear briefly in an episode or two after this, but then she was gone. "Bobbed" became a term for a character who suddenly disappeared from a show, never to be mentioned again.

[@CindersVale]

@@essaboselin5252 I think that the writers missed a chance with Bob. There could have been mentions, "Hey did you hear what Carter said about Bob? She passed her boards with flying colors!", Bob's now on staff as a vascular surgeon, isn't that great!". In one of those scenes where the ER is swamped, there could have a side comment of, "Hey, when are they sending down a vascular surgeon for Johnson in room 3? The nurse replies, "Bob, I mean Dr.(insert name) is on her way down right now". The show missed out since Bob actually was a fan favorite.

[@essaboselin5252]

@@CindersVale The actress didn't do anything after ER, so maybe she quit acting and didn't want to return. Even so, the writers could have mentioned that she was working at another hospital, or mention they sent a patient up to surgery for her.

[@HarryClarkson]

She appeared scatteringly over the course of the first season, gradually asserting herself while working for the administrative desk. An interesting thread was raised with her character in "Blizzard" [110], when Bob impulsively jumped in the middle of a failing operation and saved a patient with some impromptu (and surprising) surgical work. Afterward, she revealed that she had been a surgeon in Poland, but had no license to practice medicine in America. Carter offered to help tutor her if she wanted to pursue it. The last time she appeared, as of this writing, was in "Summer Run" [202], where she was very efficient at carrying out the wishes of new chief resident Kerry Weaver (to Doug`s dismay). Since then, she hasn`t been on the show at all. No one seems to know why, although it`s possible that actress Malgoscha Gebel (who`s been in Schindler`s List among other films) has been busy with other work, or otherwise unavailable. It`s also possible that the writers have simply deigned not to use the character, for their own reasons. Malgoscha's last name is spelled 'Gebel'. She's Polish born and educated, but a German citizen. Currently working in Los Angeles as freelance journalist for German TV. Lives in Berlin part of the year."

[@cindyb.9998]

Klemheist 🤣🤣

[@lucysspot9208]

I randomly come back to watch this clip every few years....

[@User-sb6er]

Its my conclusion that Carter did help bob become a doctor here in the states but due to her stepping in to help a patient without her boards and license that she had to go somewhere else to practice but thanks to carter she is doing what she loves and is helping a lot of people.

[@IsiahTomas]

I'll take that. Thanks for writing it.

[@jldog134]

Good conclusion for Bob no doubt another hospital in the Cook County Chicago Area to stay close to friends and family

[@nigelft]

@@jldog134 Maybe, to carry that cannon forward, in either Chicago Hope, or Chicago Med ... ... now _that_ would've been a hell of a cross-over ...

[@knightwind6628]

@@nigelft Bob as a Chief Surgeon!?

[@joemckim1183]

Carter was a 3rd year Med student at the time of this clip, I don't know how much sway he had to be able to help.

[@davidmurray5399]

As a Polish doctor, she'd have a very large and appreciative group of prospective clients in Chicago.

[@Calliope0954]

DA!! Far too many excellent immigrants - doctors, nurses, specialists - have to speak, write and understand "English" and until they do, they're reduced to being janitors, taxi drivers, hotel housekeepers, working in laundries, dishwashers, etc. Lewis is supposed to be a DOCTOR who didn't know what to do - "Bob" (I'll call her Roberta) knew exactly what she was seeing on the x-ray, exactly what to do to save the patient's life, and did it. She ran because she was "just a janitor" - she hadn't done her board exams there "in english". I would have loved to have seen an episode of the "Board of Idiots & Assholes" trying to press charges and Morris' wife come in and give them all the rough side of her tongue and praise Roberta, and demand they give her her license and title of Doctor.

[@williamgilmore4287]

@@Calliope0954 Imagine being an English speaking physician and going to a foreign country. Are they supposed to just let them practice medicine even though they can't speak the language?

[@jmstowe]

She wouldn't even have to speak much English. There are more Polish-speaking people there than in any other city on this planet.

[@KristoffDoe]

@@jmstowe "There are more Polish-speaking people there (Chicago) than in any other city on this planet." - are you sure? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poles_in_Chicago - "Polish Americans now made up 6.7% of Chicago's population, and numbered at 182,064." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cities_and_towns_in_Poland - top 18 cities in Poland have more population than 182k of Polish speakers in Chicago.

[@davidmurray5399]

@@KristoffDoe I grew up there, and it seems like there's a lot more than that in the city!

[@vickenator]

It's so heartwarming to see so many people commenting how much they loved this scene. I've loved it since my first watch of the show more than 20+ years ago and never forgot it. Way to go Dr. Bob!

[@kendranannettej.jeffery8925]

That was awesome. Her character had SO much potential. Imagine how she could have been developed...

[@AegisNova]

The very small smile at 1:37 when Bob knows she’s ‘got’ it. 💜

[@davidmurray5399]

The equipment was there and she knew what to do. She relieved the pressure on aorta so that the surgeons would have time to address the defect. In emergency medicine, it's all about buying time so that the patient can be saved if the resources are there.

[@MyMrno1]

she applied a cross-clamp on an abdominal aortic aneurysm, (Triple-A) she actually did the exact opposite of 'relieving pressure' by applying the cross-clamp she cut off supply down from the bleed on the aorta to provide pressure up to the upper body "I'm getting a faint carotid pulse"

[@marzzz1]

@@MyMrno1Correct, though more accurately she cross-clamped above the aneurysm.

[@johnkonrad5040]

@@marzzz1 I have no idea what you and the other dude said, so I'm just gonna assume it's doctor talk for "Bob opened up his tinker and toinkered around with it to make it do things again" There, I feel I have sufficiently contributed to the discussion, de-facto completing my cardiothoracic surgery fellowship, I will now graciously accept my surgeon's certification.

[@su-rv2uq]

Not by the janitor. The family could still bring suit against the hospital even though the guy lived, by allowing an unlicensed person to operate on him. That she was a dr in her country was irrelevant.

[@dixbowman3452]

@@su-rv2uq yeah but only a idiot would be ungrateful bob didn't let him die. She saved dudes life. If I got sued I'd be like so I was supposed to let him die?

[@starwars518]

They should have done a lot more with Bob’s character. The back story of her career itself and how she made it to the states would have been great

[@aquilesriffo]

technically that is against medical colleges as they still not accept foreign doctors without passing language, knowledge, and other evaluations

[@devshliingarts9502]

If they developed Bobs character further into prosperity American Surgeon Association might have sued ER money bosses for disturbing their gigantic rules.

[@hd-xc2lz]

@@devshliingarts9502 Well, to be fair, communication skill is paramount in surgery. The English skill level of the character "Bob" (above) should disqualify her, one would hope.

[@nigelft]

@@hd-xc2lz Yes, communication in the appropriate language (in this case, English) is vital ... But for God's, sake she was a Vascular Surgeon. She saved the life of a patient with a disecting abdominal aortic aneurism, which, outside of an a OR/OT, is pretty much lethal. I once read a haematological card of a similar patient: 60+ units, typed, and cross matched, with 12 fresh frozen plasma, during the operation, with a further 10 units, whole blood, and 3 units plasma, after, in the ICU. In other words, a massive transfusion that would've activated the hospital's Mass Transfusion Protocol, with not only the hospital's blood bank put on immediate alert that every single unit of O- will be needed, but to be prepared to do a rapid type and cross match (which I once personally saw happen, during my internship in the Haematology Lab), and that every available unit of that exact histocompatable blood type would be needed from them, and every other hospital, within a minimum transport radius. Hence, if you ever see a motorbike, car, etc, that has 'BLOOD' on it, with lights and sirens going, pull the fuck over, when it's safe that you can ... ... for a patient, just like Bob's, may be minutes away from dying ... As for Bob ... she saved that man, based on her prior knowledge and experience. Yet, because of stupid rules, her qualifications abroad mean nothing. But, to that patient, it meant everything ... If she declared her qualifications, she should've been treated as a surgeon, supervised, much like a junior surgeon, under the direct guidance of another surgeon, until she passed all appropriate Board Exams, that would then permit her to lead a surgery ... ... rather than treating her like a fucking desk clerk ...

[@tofinoguy]

What an absolute rush this scene is - I still get adrenaline watching it. Not often in real life do we get to watch a heretofore unknown pro step in, be boss, and save the day, so the tv version will have to do. Crazy good.

[@mikeg8375]

I really love that Carter got to be the doctor (medical student to be technical) that comforted her. It fit perfectly.

[@jonstefanik9400]

Carter wanted to help people, not just in the hospital but anywhere with anything.

[@mikeg8375]

@@jonstefanik9400 yeah I totally agree, he had his flaws but at his core he was always in it for the right reasons.

[@rossparker4374]

One of my favorite scenes from this show. In previous episodes she was just the cleaning lady, but then she pulls off an operation and it’s revealed she’s a cleaning lady who is also a surgeon .

[@drmayeda1930]

Was Bob cleaning or a reception clerk like Jerry

[@Graniteheart]

@@drmayeda1930 she started out as working in housekeeping. after this episode, she got moved to reception while her English improved

[@drmayeda1930]

This same type of plot has been used in a number of shows. The most interesting episode with a twist was elementary a crime drama a doctor from another country who had been hired as a janitor was an "angel of death", killing off hopeless patients.

[@tranurse]

I worked on a floor once that had a tech, who all of a sudden left one day, because he finally got his papers to start his residency (he had been a doctor in Romania, and none of us knew he was one. He kept it a secret). I’ve worked with several nurses who were doctors in other countries, who could make more money as an RN in the US.

[@anastasiaanastasia9182]

@@tranurse I understand why he didn't want to tell anyone. He was right.

[@paulon2]

Bob showed everyone, she saved a life

[@moneyatslander]

For a long time, this WAS the network drama in all ways. Brilliant acting and writing.

[@bobbillings]

Fall off 1994, we saw the start of one of the greatest and longest running hospital shows ever. ER. This was episode 10 of the first season. This action packed episode aired on December 8, 1994 as the country was well into the Christmas season of 1994. It garnered almost 30 million live viewers this night, up almost 5 million more than the previous episode 9. If you were not already a hooked for life fan of ER in the first 9 episodes before it, this one made you one. I remember this fondly as I was tuning in for this show every Thursday night for (Nbc must see Tv). And being that I was living in and from the Chicago area (and still), when ER came, It finally put our region on the map all across America as viewership greatly outnumbered Chicago Hope. These were good times.

[@robbiehall9958]

When she came back inside from the snow and everyone applauded her I think she finally got some respect that she was entitled to

[@sdaiwepm]

I love this scene so much.

[@angelrios5897]

This woman was a vascular surgeon in her home country, but here, is a janitor (only because her boards were provided in English). I've always thought there should be more of a push to standardize medical education and training globally, rather than maintain this inequity that costs talented people and the patients who need them.

[@danieltahsoh7995]

Correctmy said

[@GeometricMason]

Pilots have to be able to speak English

[@tombolom2]

On the downside, non western countries who train to the same standard, often suffer from "brain drain". Meaning country of origin educate and train Dr's. Only for them to move to western countries once finished training

[@abigaildeeks8328]

tombolom2 That is true-but can we not, as a world-come together and fix inequality so that they don’t want to leave their home country? I know, fantasy!

[@jak00bspyr72]

How can you expect from a doctor in USA to not speak English? How would non-English speaker communicate with the team during the surgery?

[@herbrice8933]

Hands down the best Medical TV Show ever.

[@keithstarkey5584]

I love the slight smile she gives, just enough to know that the patient will live, and then back to the intensity of what she did. Such a good scene, such good acting. What happened to her? Where are you, Magorzata? Where are you?

[@eligebrown8998]

When they aired this show on Hulu a couple years ago, it was the most watched TV show of the year. Love it when original shows beat out the new.

[@aquasphere4390]

Lord that old woman’s acting was on point I genuinely felt bad for her

[@cka2nd]

That's veteran character actress Pearl Shear (1918-2009). She's got 75 TV and film credits between 1961 and 1999 listed on her IMDB page, including a recurring role on The Waltons and another one as herself ("Self") on Bob Newhart's first TV show from 1961-62 (a stand-up skit show, I think). Honestly, I'm surprised she doesn't have more credits, but maybe she did commercials, too; in the old Hollywood studio system, she'd have probably been a contract player and extra with two to three hundred credits to her name. Can't find her on the Internet Broadway Database, but maybe she did theater on the West Coast. Speaking of The Waltons, her daughter was Ralph Waite's second wife, per IMDB. And I agree, she's excellent in this scene and the rest of the episode.

[@PlasmaCoolantLeak]

"I'm not really a vascular surgeon, but I stayed last night at a Holiday Inn!" Seriously, a badass moment.

[@vickyb3445]

Bob deserved her own plot. The producers wasted this chance. It would've been great to see her journey to become a Doctor at the General County.

[@zlatanp479]

"Helping them is more important than how we feel." - Dr. Greene gives advice to Dr. Carter on his first day at County General (Season 1, Episode 1 I believe).

[@er-emergencyroom434]

Zlatan P One step ahead of you ;-) kzbin.info/www/bejne/aIGmYZ2Fes1kpNE

[@zlatanp479]

@@er-emergencyroom434 Oh that's right, it was in that "24 Hours" episode. Great scene, thank you for uploading that one!

[@plcdfa]

So a random janitor starts cutting patients up in the hospital, and everyone's just like "well, she looks like she knows what she's doing, let's wait and see how it turns out."

[@therealconniefrancis]

😂

[@drmayeda1930]

No, the senior nurse there saw Bob putting gloves on and she didn't know what was going on. Their first priority was startinbg CPR and getting a doctor. They saw her cutting the chest open but were too busy with the arrest. Malik wasn't doing so hot with all the blood. My guess is she cross clamped the aorta so they could get a surgeon.

[@kolliwanne964]

In all honesty it wouldnt be the weirdest thing I have seen in an hospital, especially if the others are under stress giving CPR. You would be amazed what other people let you do as long as you seem to know your shit.

[@mybuttsmellslikebutterbut207]

Stop acting like cutting meat is hard. I used to cut and extract organs all the time when I was a teen working at a butcher’s shop.

[@kolliwanne964]

@@mybuttsmellslikebutterbut207 Yea cutting is not the problem if they are dead. If you wanna keep them alive, cutting is usually a tiny bit more problematic

[@ashleyc506]

I wish they went further with Bob’s storyline.

[@karabinjr]

Ashley Churchill what story line? learning the language for 4 seasons?

[@SaundersBoy]

@@karabinjr My god I've seen stupid comments but yours is quite on top..

[@sekillabee202]

Dr. Bob could’ve been a spin-off or at least a mini-series.

[@NurMohammad-bn4bz]

thik koisos buri bedi

[@drakenfist]

@@karabinjr worked pretty well with Jin on LOST.

[@maddieharr7211]

Love how calm she is

[@Andyy7444]

This episode was probably one of the greatest 40 minutes of a television series I’ve ever seen. From the Slow start to Patrick to mookie and then Bob. Finishing it off with pizza and Xmas music. Just fantastic.

[@erinmalone2669]

This was such an amazing show

[@JamesJoyce12]

and she totally disappears forever right after this - totally bizarre and totally never explained

[@lilyk7326]

I was really looking forward to her story, and we never saw her again.

[@Amdragfan2]

Yeah, agreed. I wish they completed her story

[@NatashaEstrada]

I assumed she got fired.

[@panda5122]

It's been a few years since I watched the reruns. I was jogging my memory trying to remember what happened with this plot. Thanks!

[@jfro8723]

She diagnosed a pancoast tumour after this

[@sutouha27]

To everyone who keeps saying that Bob stopped appearing after this: no, actually, she appeared in several episodes after this in Season 1. Her actual final episode was in Season 2 Episode 2 "Summer Run"

[@DicklessHipster]

Yeah, some people don't pay enough attention. Bob was around for a while before unceremoniously disappearing, just like so many other smaller characters.

[@TheFurreid]

you missed the part when everyone greeted her back: “Dr. Bob”..

[@godisgoodallthetime7622]

One of the best saves on the show. Completely surprising!

[@LucianDevine]

It really is a shame that we never saw her again. Even a single episode where stops by for a visit after becoming a surgeon, and maybe gets dragged into a surgery because it gets crazy, just like it was on this day.

[@saetmusic]

My favorite scene in the entire series! I wish they had included the end of the scene when the Attending Surgeon comes in, looks at the patient, and says, "Very neat work"!!

[@tayzer22]

I'm not a sentimental person but, ER had its hooks in me. Even in syndication. Still does.

[@larrytipton2868]

House would look at his staff and be like "Chase, your fired"

[@bellerain381]

I bet he’d start talking to Bob in her own language while performing on the patient!

[@benwhite8157]

I haven't watched the entire show, but this is my favorite moment. Bob gets it done.

[@cka2nd]

My favorite episode. I think the only one I still have on a VHS tape that I recorded off the TV.

[@sagi9407]

A realistic storyline would be about an immigrant who practiced medicine well in their previous country, and highlighting their struggles to continue practicing medicine in their emigrated country.

[@elisa8531]

I think there is a show using this storyline

[@jane1975]

I watched this episode today on all 4 on demand, pity we never saw Bob again that much after this, I always loved it when it snowed and the staff would often go over the road to their local cafe, Magoos sometimes after a hard day.

[@vanessaalvarado8048]

I’d forgotten how good this show was. I remember this episode. Didn’t see this coming. Who would have thought Bob.

[@CarlosRodriguez-jz3eu]

Once supervised a nurse who was a trained physician in his home country, don’t remember why he worked as a nurse now because it was so long ago but it stuck with me that in another place he’d be my boss instead of the other way around.

[@tranurse]

I’ve worked with several nurses who were docs in other countries.

[@wcresponder]

That eye protection did a really good job of holding their hair back while they wore gowns and gloves.

[@cakayakdiver]

It's the little things that make this scene special. When Bob runs out she rips the bloody gloves off like she's done it thousands of times. You totally believe she's a surgeon.

[@joemckim1183]

Malgorzata Gebel I looked her up on IMDb, she hasn't acted in anything since being on ER which is odd. She's also in Schindler's List so I guess that Spielberg connection is how she got on ER.

[@kathycuster1714]

One of my favorie tv shows! Loved ER!

[@TheRisskee]

I absolutely LOVED this episode! I was hootin' and hollarin' I was so stoked! Haha I'm going to have to rewatch ER. Such a great show. 😊

[@thomaslove7560]

Look how well staffed they are

[@jimwise4307]

I wish they had kept her going on the show. I would have loved to have seen Bob as a surgeon.

[@benbailey159bb]

One of my favourite scenes in ER

[@erosson27]

Yeah, when you find out the lady that's been cleaning toilets and delivering laundry is a vascular surgeon......

[@slovely08]

This first aired when I was 6 or 7 and I remember not understanding the context thinking that she hastily did the procedure after being told not to and screwed up. Wasnt until many years later that I started watching the show for real I learned what actually happened.

[@Daehawk]

Carter was always my favorite character.

[@randomhero456]

Saaame!!

[@susantye1941]

Carter my favourite character. Like the episode where Carter takes charge and uses canteen as a emergency room. Looked for it but can't find it.

[@joep3525]

One of my favorite ER scenes.

[@The_Notorious_N.O.E.]

I know it's weird but this is one of my favorite scenes from the entire series

[@rogerodle8750]

Not weird at all. Uplifting.

[@zoemn24]

I have never watched ER before (I’m British and in my early 20’s) and the KZbin algorithm decided I’d like it... it turns out I do and have been watching ER clips seemingly all day. I’m so happy that Carter was there to calm and reassure Bob that she still had a chance of taking her board exams tests to become a vascular surgeon in the US. How can I watch more than clips in the UK? I think I’ll have to find a way.

[@er-emergencyroom434]

If you're in the UK, you can stream the entire series in full for free thanks to Channel 4: www.channel4.com/programmes/er There are commercials but it's worth it!

[@zoemn24]

ER - Emergency Room Thank you so much, I don’t care about adverts/commercials I watch enough of those anyway watching other programmes. I am going to binge watch this next. It seems I have a lot to watch too. Thank you once again. Xxx ❤️

[@elloguvna6820]

I LOVED BOB! I wish they would have made her a main character

[@smoothknyte]

I always wonder if the actors know how much they're appreciated sometimes by the audience. It's like if there was ever a reunion of the ER characters at like a convention or something, and all of a sudden Bob made an appearance, the place would go wild for her, even only being on one or two episodes.

[@cka2nd]

@@smoothknyte So damn true!

[@drbenirusani]

she came back on the series finale episode as US board certified Vascular surgeon

[@manaboutit1594]

Something like this, though not as dramatic, happened in a Miami hospital after the Cuban Boat Lift thing happened. A man was hired to do housekeeping/male aide type work when a LOT of patients came in at oncst from a buss accident or some such. This man couldn't stand by and watch a young girl die because of a "relatively" simple procedure couldn't be performed right that moment for lack of the specialist. The cat stepped up, directed a nurse to help him, and did the procedure. The expected investigation revealed that the quiet, competent, always friendly housekeeping dude was a peer from Cuba. His training was first rate as he had sturdied and trained in Moscow, one of the premier places to learn the doctoring arts...I know, it doesn't sound plausible, but look up Soviet era medical training standards. The entire staff helped the gent get his US quals to take his place amongst them as a colleague and peer. I wonder if this event in this episode was inspired by this surgeon's story or one of the many similar ones from over the years? My guess is that it was.

[@MichaelDavis-bj2bs]

I worked with a guy at a call center years ago that had been a surgeon in Pakistan and was working towards being able to practice in the US. Last I saw of him he was doing well, working at a hospital in New York.

[@yucol5661]

We get better medical care here in Miami because many less demanding roles are taken by foreign health profesionales who had more specialized jobs on other countries. Ex: most dentists used to be dental surgeons or ortodontists. It’s easier to work in a simpler job than to pay and retake the American versions of exams. Same with lawyers

[@unseelie63]

Sister assisted a Soviet-trained dentist.One of the best she worked with,and she'd worked with an oral surgeon and a dentist who was also a forensic odontologist.He and his physician wife had to go through the studying and taking of board exams.Fortunately both of them had a good command of English so it was easier.I think having set standards worldwide would give us a lot of well-trained medical/dental professionals that are always needed,regardless of where they studied.

[@queenfan45]

I've heard that doctors in Cuba are truly top-rate, often traveling around the world to give aid to various countries in need.

[@spdcrzy]

@@queenfan45 There's a reason for this. Cuban med schools are highly prized because, by dint of accepting students from all around the world AND the US, they often create a much more diverse graduating class as well as a truly multicultural approach to medicine, rather than the patriarchal, racist, and sexist result many American med schools end up with (oftentimes without realizing it). Because of this, many people of color (specifically African-Americans) and women choose to go to Cuba for med school because they're not treated like second-class citizens in the classroom. And on top of that, because they graduate with little to no debt, they can IMMEDIATELY start traveling to hotspots around the globe to give help where it's needed.

[@soleiltounsi6754]

One of the most interesting characters and moments 👏

[@andrewfessick8571]

Crazy scene during crazy episode

[@1klouisek]

"I want HER!" arm outstretched pointing at Bob.

[@yoursafeplace8476]

This is one thing that always killed me about our system. I'm a certified paramedic in NY but in FL I'm nothing and have to restart from the ground up which I have to pay my way through whereas in Ny I got the schooling for free because it was volunteer. How many talented individuals are scrubbing floors because of a broken system?

[@Xerruy]

‘Bob?’ ‘Bob!’ ‘Bob?’ *’BOB!!?’*

[@queenfan45]

"...Bob"

[@tuvelat7302]

King Bob!

[@juliefitzsimons3882]

Bob is the shit

[@DrowningInTea]

One of the most surprising moments in the series. I wish they had developed her character more.

[@elloguvna6820]

She saved his life!

[@barbaral743]

I loved this episode. Bob was great.

[@GrinnenBaeritt]

This storyline really was one of the best in the early years of ER. Possibly my favourite ever, simply for it being relatively so unexpected. Now, the NHS can only survive due to the influx of people like Bob, so it would be less surprising. The preceeding episodes, like the excellently spectacular "Blizzard" give us some clues, but the acting is specacular for what became such a minor part.

[@edwinsGT8866]

This reminds me of the scene in The Fugitive where Kimble changes the boys orders.

[@kouizumi9484]

God, I love Carter so much.

[@fromfjord]

loving all the biohazard waste littering the emergency room floor and bob just adds to it 😂😂😂

[@josephhodges9819]

The actress is Malgoscha Gebel and the character's name is Dr. Bogdana 'Bob' Liwecki. She has not acted since being on ER. No info why she stopped acting.

[@redrust3]

My late father-in-law was born in the United States to Filipino immigrants. His mother took him and his siblings back to the Philippines, raising and educating him there including eventually San Tomas medical school. When he returned to the US, he was looking forward to working for his uncle as a real estate insurance agent. However, once a local doctor learned that he had an MD, immediately enlisted him as an obstetrician. And that’s how he spent the next 40 years of his working career. That career was interrupted by the United States Army, which found out that he was an American born citizen, with a medical degree. So he ended up doing two years as a doctor stationed in Vietnam.

[@neurodivergentnetizen4535]

Clearly, this is a situation where emergency exemptions can be made.

[@Elisheval]

I work with nurses who were doctors in the home countries (russia, ukraine) but when they came their credentials were not recognised. Pediatrician and gynecologist.

[@juicyfruit6311]

My wife's old OBGYN office were staffed by California licensed RNs who were medical doctors in the Philippines. My friend's PA was a heart specialist in his native Egypt.

[@william2154]

I got a facial from an esthetician. She was a surgeon for 10 years in Russia but when she came to my country she couldnt get her credentials recognized so she went to beauty school and is now an esthetician. Unfortunate for her, but she gave me one hell of a chemical peel and great medical advice on how to keep my skin lookin young.

[@cka2nd]

It's all about the labor markets. The AMA keeps the number of doctors artificially low so that doctors' incomes can be incomes artificially high.

[@tranurse]

I’ve worked with several nurses who were doctors in their home countries. One from Bosnia, but he went through residency and became a doctor again (he was working as an orderly actually), two from the Philippines and one from South Korea.

[@apriliarider6072]

Oh look it’s the greatest medical show that ever existed.