Minnesota ER doctor serves as consultant on HBO Max's 'The Pitt'

M Health Fairview Lakes Medical Center in Wyoming, Minn. is just about as far away from Hollywood as you can get, but it shares a unique connection with Tinseltown.

The health system recently revealed that one of its emergency room physicians, Dr. Jacob Lentz, serves as a medical consultant for the hit HBO Max medical drama "The Pitt." The show, currently in its second season, has won praise for its accuracy from critics and real-life doctors alike.

In a Q&A published by M Health Fairview, the Mahtomedi native says he initially pursued a career in television writing, but ultimately decided to go to medical school.

In addition to his part-time work at the Minnesota hospital, he is also an assistant professor at University of California-Los Angeles in emergency medicine. He became involved in the show after a friend shared a post looking for physicians with TV experience to help with consulting.

According to Lentz, he works as a technical consultant, giving feedback on scripts, and providing notes on which props would be needed for each scene. He is also on set for the filming of every episode.

“I felt a lot of responsibility about presenting emergency medicine accurately, so hearing from doctors who watch the show has been really affirming," Lentz said.

“I'm also glad (it has) resonated with people who watch. I've heard that some patients are having more patience or empathy for ER doctors and a better understanding of how challenging the work can be.”

“The Pitt” recently won two of the top prizes for TV at the 2026 Golden Globes, taking home the awards for best drama series and best actor in a drama series.

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