John Carter (ER) - Character History

Character History

Carter arrives to County General as a third-year medical student. Carter is characterized as lacking the ability of the most gifted physicians. Carter does share a very dedicated and compassionate approach with his patients. He was initially interested in surgery and completed the first year of a surgical residency involving mentoring by a surgical resident: Dr. Peter Benton. Extended exposure to the emergency room reveals Carter's true passion and he decides to change his specialty to emergency medicine. The change of heart is to Benton's dismay. Carter laments the lack of patient connection in surgery. He specifically regrets the lack of thorough follow-up and care in the surgical field. In order for Carter to change from his surgical residency to an emergency medicine residency, he agrees to work for free for his first year, since County General had no more funding for an additional spot. As a resident his confidence grows, and he often does whatever is in his power (or, sometimes, things outside of his power, much to the annoyance of his superiors) to help patients.