A Gifted Man

A Gifted Man (CBS, 2011–2012) marked Neal Baer’s return to network medical drama as showrunner, bringing his signature blend of emotional depth, scientific precision, and human complexity to a more metaphysical story. The series follows a brilliant, self-involved neurosurgeon whose life is upended when he begins receiving visits from the ghost of his deceased ex-wife—pushing him to confront questions of purpose, connection, and what it really means to heal.

Across the season, Baer steered the show toward a grounded, character-driven exploration of medicine and morality, staying true to his long-standing commitment to depicting medical practice with accuracy and empathy. His leadership connected the show's supernatural premise to real-world stakes: who gets care, why people fall through the cracks, and how even the most elite clinician can be reshaped by the communities they serve.