Country of origin United States Original network Lifetime | No. of episodes 22 | |
Original release July 23, 2000 (2000-07-23) – March 11, 2001 (2001-03-11) | ||
The first season of Strong Medicine debuted on Lifetime July 23, 2000 and concluded March 11, 2001 after 22 episodes.
Contents
The season introduces Dr. Luisa "Lu" Delgado, a single mother and a doctor who ran the South Philly Women's Clinic until she could no longer fund the inner-city practice. Lu treated lower income patients and is more than just a doctor to her patients, she is a friend. Dr. Dana Stowe is a Harvard graduate and one of the best female health specialists who treats high-income and very affluent patients. The two come together when Dr. Lydia Emerson wants to combine Lu's practice with Rittenhouse Hospital's women's practice to create the Rittenhouse Women's Health Center. Rittenhouse is administered by Dr. Robert "Bob" Jackson, the Rittenhouse Chief of Staff. Lu brings receptionist and her longtime friend Lana Hawkins and nurse/midwife Peter Riggs on board to help keep the practice running smoothly.
Season Overview
The first season starts as Lu's free clinic is financially failing and she can't fund the practice anymore. Lu asks that Rittenhouse Hospital adopt her clinic, but Dana is not interested in taking on Lu's facility. The lack of a loan and assistance leaves Lu, Lana, and Peter without a practice and left to close Lu's facility. Dr. Lydia Emerson visits Lu's clinic and she goes to the hospital board to suggest that Lu's practice merge with Rittenhouse Hospital to create the Rittenhouse Women's Health Center and that Lu and Dana run it together. Lu's practice will still offer free health services and Dana can keep her wealthy clientele.
Throughout the first season Lu and Dana clash with each other continuously over the practice and patients. Lu’s patients are mostly low-income, down on their luck and Dana doesn’t approve compared to her highly well off roster of clients.
Lu tries to fit into the clinic and bring her own way of treating patients into the loop of prestigious Rittenhouse. Throughout the season she tries to do the best and whatever she can for her patients, whether she goes against her wishes or gets herself in trouble. Lu also does what she can to be a good mother to her teenage son she had at 16, Marc, who gets into trouble on occasion. She also is put to the test when Marc involved her in his friend’s situations, one that included a friend being an alcoholic – and Marc drinking as well. Marc’s father, Bill, gives Lu problems with Marc staying at his place with his wife and their twin daughters, causing frustration for Lu.
Throughout the season Dana is determined to find a treatment for breast cancer, focusing on her own study to find a cure. Dana discovers her mother has breast cancer and helps her through a mastectomy, while testing positive for the gene herself. She also tries to hide her secret relationship with her intern, Dr. Nick Biancavilla. Dana’s boss and friend, Dr. Robert "Bob" Jackson, puts his trust in Dana when his wife tells Dana she has Multiple Sclerosis. At the end of the season Dana rethinks her position at the hospital after she loses a baby during delivery.
DVD Release
The show's first season was released on DVD January 10, 2006. To date it is the only season of the series to be released on DVD.