Greg Pratt

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Dr. Gregory "Greg" Pratt is a fictional medical doctor on the US television show ER, played by Mekhi Phifer.

Background

Pratt first appeared late in Season 8 in the episode "Orion in the Sky" (2002), as a cocky, overconfident intern from VA hospital. He meets Mark Greene who becomes his unofficial mentor on Greene's last day at County. In the beginning of his residency, Pratt continued to show leadership and quick precision. But his limited experience often led Pratt to collide with his chief resident John Carter and other attendings over many occasions; including a procedure he was unqualified to do (though the patient survived) and resuscitating an already deceased patient. During the critical small pox outbreak and evacuation gone awry, Pratt proves his skills and courage as a swift emergency physician as the entire hospital is thrown into chaos.

In Season 9, Pratt begins an on/off relationship with fellow physician, Dr. Jing-Mei "Deb" Chen. During the series, it was revealed that Pratt had a mentally handicapped step-brother named Leon living with him. Due to his handicap, Leon often got into trouble and would disrupt Pratt's professional and personal life, especially when he became involved with a group of thugs who stabbed him in the hindquarters over a confiscated gun, got him thrown in jail overnight, and then made him join them on a robbery that ended with one of the thugs dead and a cop badly injured (though he recovered thanks to good surgical work by Dr. Elizabeth Corday). To help give Pratt a break, Carter suggested his brother move away for a while, leading Pratt to send his step-brother away to stay with other family members in Baltimore.

Pratt and Chen's continuing relationship began to break down in Season 10, with Pratt's casual flirting with new medical student Neela Rasgotra led to Pratt telling Chan he did not see them having a serious future together. Their relationship eventually ends in season 11.

In Season 10's season finale "Drive", Pratt is involved in a drive-by shooting while driving Dr. Chen and a patient that Pratt befriended. As Pratt tried to drive away from the shooters, his car was forced off a bridge and into a river, leading to the patient in the car being killed. Pratt himself sustained serious head injuries.

For the Chief Resident post that came up in season 11, Pratt was backed at first by Luka Kovac and later by Doctor Susan Lewis. However, he decided against applying for the position due to the extra workload, which was subsequently awarded to his rival Archie Morris.

Dr. Pratt came to terms with his clouded past at the end of Season 11, making contact with his estranged father, Charlie Pratt (portrayed by Danny Glover). But, following on in Season 12, Pratt was unable to make amends with his father. Later, after much counsel, Pratt began to accept his father's new family.

In the episode, "Strange Bed Fellows," Luka Kovac instructs Pratt to go to the Congo, Africa to join John Carter in a Doctors Without Borders program. When Pratt challenges Kovac and says he won't go, Kovac says he has no choice but to go. Pratt eventually decides to go, leading him the opportunity to move up to the position of attending physician, which Dr. Victor Clemente could not fulfill. While out in Africa, Pratt's friend and colleague Michael Gallant dies after serving in Iraq.

At the start of season 13, Pratt achieved his new title as attending, while his step-brother Chaz returned from Baltimore and moves back in with him. However, later on, Pratt discovers his brother in a compromising position with another man. After much denial and a talk with Kerry Weaver Pratt begins to understand and accept his brother's homosexuality. He also supports his brother's new job as an Emergency Medical Technician but clashes with Chaz's co-workers after they encourage him to drink near-fatal amounts of alcohol.

Later in the season, Pratt discovered a church holding an illegal prescription drugs exchange program between church members. Pratt tried to reason with the pastor to seek better alternatives. With no compromise being met, he decided to take part in the program to make it safer by donating some narcotics from the ER. However, when a member of the church died from the result of the drug exchange, an investigation was conducted by police and social workers. Pratt soon admited to his chief Kovac that he was solely involved in the scheme, preventing any repercussions on the department. Pratt was arrested by the police and was put before the review board at the hospital for an explanation of his actions. Surprisingly, Pastor Watkins of First Mission Baptist and his congregation showed up on Pratt's behalf and explained the entire story of his contribution. The board subsequently dismissed Pratt from any suspension, allowing him to retain his medical license and job.

After being overlooked for the position of Chief of the ER in season 14, Pratt submitted his resignation citing that the administration of County General did not respect him; however, he soon changed his mind after meeting former physician's assistant Jeanie Boulet.

Trivia

• Originally was matched to County as his last choice and wanted to leave. However, when he was offered a position at Northwestern near the end of Season 9, he passed on it to stay at County. In Season 14 he attempted to return to Northwestern, briefly, but opted to remain at County once again.
• Served as best man during Dr. Luka Kovac's marriage to Dr. Abby Lockhart.
• According to genealogy research by desk clerk Frank, his great-great-great-great grandfather was an Ethiopian Jew or "Falash Mura".

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Last updated on Saturday February 09, 2008 at 09:58:07 PST (GMT -0800)
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