New York’s Largest Hospital System Is Setting Its Sights on the Entertainment Business

As a dedicated fan of documentaries and stories that shine a light on real-life experiences, I am absolutely thrilled about Northwell Health’s new venture into content creation through their studio, Northwell Studios. The intersection of healthcare and storytelling is a powerful one, and Northwell’s commitment to leveraging this combination to drive health awareness and spark important conversations is truly inspiring.

Northwell Health, New York’s largest healthcare provider, believes investing in entertainment can boost their finances and raise health consciousness at the same time.

Northwell announces the establishment of Northwell Studios, a fresh production company that will create both scripted and unscripted films and television programs. By utilizing Northwell’s resources, including its facilities, medical professionals, and consenting patients, this venture aims to bring engaging content to life.

Documentary filmmakers have consistently explored the complexities of hospitals and health, and Northwell Health has gained recognition in this field. Recently, HBO premiered “One South: Portrait of a Psych Unit” at Zucker Hillside Hospital in Queens, while Netflix released “Lenox Hill,” which focuses on the daily work of doctors and nurses at Northwell’s Upper East Side hospital. Additionally, the 2021 COVID-19 documentary “First Wave” was produced using footage from various Northwell facilities.

“Ramon Soto, president of Northwell Studios and chief marketing & communications officer at Northwell Health, shares that storytelling via film and TV is an effective means to initiate important conversations about pressing societal concerns. Through past documentaries and series, Northwell Health has addressed topics such as gun violence, mental health, and the far-reaching effects of war. In order to bring about change on a larger scale, it’s essential that we broaden our scope and concentrate our efforts. With Northwell Studios, we aim to connect with filmmakers and distributors, surpassing conventional marketing methods to enhance our storytelling potential. This new studio will empower us to cultivate collaborative relationships and position Northwell Health as a prominent voice in matters concerning health and wellness.”

I’m thrilled as a fan to share that Northwell Studios has secured a development deal with CreativeChaos, and currently has an impressive five projects in the pipeline! Northwell is committed to collaborating with filmmakers, writers, and other creatives by offering them access to resources. Additionally, they plan on teaming up with distribution partners such as Netflix and HBO, ensuring that their projects reach a vast audience.

“Northwell, being the biggest healthcare provider in New York, carries the obligation not only to care for patients in our localities but also to tackle the essential social matters affecting our overall health,” expressed Michael Dowling, Northwell’s president and CEO. “Similar to how we’ve acted on crises like gun violence and mental health, Northwell Studios intends to utilize storytelling effectively to shift perspectives, initiate discussions, and provoke positive change on a larger platform.”

Northwell Studios represents a modern trend of established businesses using their resources to enter the entertainment industry. This is particularly noticeable in the realm of sports, where organizations such as the NFL, MLB, and Formula 1 collaborate with external production companies to provide unique, behind-the-scenes perspectives of their athletes.

In simpler terms, a hospital system isn’t like a sports league with well-known athletes as doctors and nurses. Obtaining consent from patients for healthcare documentation is much more complex. Nevertheless, the access to such stories can be just as engaging, leading to the popularity of behind-the-scenes documentaries about hospitals on streaming platforms and television.

2024-07-24 18:55

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