SURGEON GENERAL
PC's Matt Rises to the Occasion in the O.R.

Matt: "I feel that I am not being trained as aggressively as the rest of the interns on rotation."

Dr. Boardman: "Given your physical limitations, there are only so many ways that I can use you effectively in the O.R."

And so began the conflict of wills between PORT CHARLES's Dr. Matt Harmon and his nasty hospital superior, Dr. Mark Boardman. Boardman was adamant about keeping Matt out of General Hospital's surgical rotation, citing cost concerns. It was all just a mask for his real fear of litigation should anything go wrong under the scalpel of a surgeon with what he regarded as a physical disability. "This is not the guy who owns the corner market," laments Mitch Longley (Matt) of his character's predicament. "Boardman is somebody in a position of power who can seriously affect Matt's future."

All that changed when Boardman was attacked by resident psycho Greg Cooper. Matt saved the day - and Boardman's life. "It's the law of karma at work," smiles Longley. Matt's quick thinking earned him a place in the O.R. After all, how do you say "no" to the guy who saved your life?

In scenes that aired last week (November 17, 1997), PC actually made television history. Never before have audiences watched a paralyzed physician perform surgery - in daytime or prime-time. "We're not creating the wheel here," Longley downplays, "but it is something that has never been done before. It's been groundbreaking for Matt and for the hospital." And for the actor, too. "Except for a commercial that I shot (see Note), this was probably the first day I ever really worked standing up," he marvels. "I know it sounds funny, but it will be very interesting for me to act and walk." But ever more fun than standing up was performing surgery. "I'd never done anything even close to that as an actor. I felt, for the most part, that I was focused and prepared. If that came across on the screen, it's great." (Note: Mitch Longley filmed a commercial for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and used braces and crutches.)

The piece of equipment that allows Matt to stand erect is a Levo Stand-Up Chair, described by Longley as "essentially a wheelchair, which has a battery-charged electric mechanism that manually moves a person to a standing position. There's a brace underneath your knees to keep them locked and a seat belt that goes across your chest. That keeps you stable. There's a control panel located in the arm of the chair, which controls all the movement." This apparatus is not cheap - estimated cost is in the neighborhood of $5,000-$15,000.

"This shouldn't be a first," points out PC Executive Producer Wendy Riche. "When you ask how it feels to make history, I can't answer that, because that's not what it's about for me. The character has a great mind, as does Mitch Longley. Matt's hands are great hands. Why shouldn't he have that opportunity? That's how we look at it." Adds Longley, "It was a big day, a potentially unnerving day. I was quietly thinking of what might happen. But once I got there, I knew this was going to go."

And so it did - with GENERAL HOSPITAL's Dr. Monica Quartermaine as the senior surgeon in attendance. "It was certainly a privilege to work with a class talent like Leslie (Charleson, who plays Monica)," enthuses Longley. "I'm so grateful that most of my scenes are with people who have been working for such a long time. I feel very fortunate to be placed in that company."

Longley applauds the effort, too. "It just seemed to be a very focused team effort," he praises. "It was technical; it was tricky in certain ways, but it came off with flying colors. I felt like it was a mellow day at work, yet a very profound one at the same time." Matt: "When you look at me, you see a man with physical limitations, right? But when I look at myself, I see a doctor - a doctor with unlimited potential." Thanks to a golden opportunity and a Levo chair, Matt's patients will, too. Back to Articles Page