He’s hoping to inspire the next generation to pursue careers in medicine!
Joel Bervell is a content creator known as the “Medical Mythbuster.” He’s a current medical student who creates content highlighting diversity in the medical field. Currently, only 5% of physicians are Black, and Bervell hopes to change that. The Ghanaian American Yale graduate debunks medical myths on social media while highlighting pertinent issues at the intersection of race and medicine.
Now, Bervell is launching a new animated digital TV show for kids centered around a young Black doctor. His goal is to use the show to inspire the next generation of medical professionals and encourage more young Black children to pursue careers in the medical field.
“I’m super excited to share a project I’ve been working on for a while now called ‘The Doctor Is In.’ [The show] is a groundbreaking kids’ digital show that combines the magic of science with animation and mixed reality. When I was growing up, I rarely saw people that looked like me in animation and on the big screen. I knew when I had a chance, I wanted to be a part of the solution,” Bervell explained.
The show centers around a young Black boy named Leland, who is just five years old. Leland loves coming to the doctor’s office and learning about the vast world of medicine. Through Leland, the series explores different medical concepts, breaking down germs and infections, and other topics like asthma and bones. Leland is aided in the show through various characters, including “Zada,” the x-ray machine, “Sammie,” the stethoscope, and “Otto,” the handbag who helps to explain these medical concepts to kids.
The kids play on an old animation concept that uses beloved characters and hosts to introduce children to various professions, creative skill building, and learning.
“Just like how ‘Blue’s Clues’ sparked our imagination or ‘Bill Nye the Science Guy’ made science cool, ‘The Doctor Is In’ encourages kids to dream big,” said Bervell.
Now, he’s launched a Kickstarter to ask the community for aid in getting the project off the ground. The show features creators who have worked with major animation studios, including Dreamworks and Illumination Entertainment. Bervell serves as executive producer of the project alongside José Morey, a practicing radiologist and the CEO of Ad Astra Media, a minority-owned social impact production studio.
Currently, the project has a fundraising goal of $60,000 with two stretch goals of $150,000 and $360,000. There are various tiered pledge rewards for funders, and Bervell hopes to create an entire season with ten 3-5 minute episodes. Kickstarter has already flagged it as a project they love! To pledge your support for this necessary digital animated series, click HERE!
Cover photo: Meet Creator Building An Animated Digital TV Show About a Young Black Doctor/Photo credit: The Doctor Is In/Kickstarter/Joel Bervell