Northwell Health, the largest healthcare provider in New York and parent company of Staten Island University Hospital, has launched a new production company, Northwell Studios. This venture aims to humanise healthcare and spark conversations about critical health issues through the stories of medical staff and consenting patients.
Northwell is no stranger to film production, having previously collaborated with renowned filmmakers and production companies on five documentaries since 2017. These projects garnered six Emmy Awards and a spot on an Academy Award shortlist, reaching tens of millions of viewers worldwide. Their latest work, "One South: Portrait of a Psych Unit," a Gidalya Pictures production, premiered at the DC/DOX Film Festival and HBO, and is now available on Max. Filmed at Northwell's Zucker Hillside Hospital in Queens, the documentary provides a poignant look into the lives of patients and staff within an inpatient psychiatric unit.
To further advance its mission of humanising healthcare, Northwell Studios has entered a development deal with CreativeChaos vmg, an award-winning film and television production company represented by Creative Artists Agency (CAA). Led by Ilan Arboleda and Tom Donahue, CreativeChaos will develop and co-produce both scripted and unscripted films for Northwell Studios.
Five new productions are already underway, including stories highlighting Northwell's clinical expertise, patient-centered programmes, technologies, and most importantly, the dedication of "the brave and bold employees and patients who are at the heart of every story," according to Northwell.
Northwell representatives have not confirmed whether filming will take place at the Staten Island University Hospital campuses in Ocean Breeze and Prince's Bay. However, Barbara Osborn, vice president of public relations for Northwell, said, "We are looking forward to working with filmmakers to help share the great work being done across all of Northwell's hospitals and facilities to shed light on some of the most pressing issues in society, like mental health and gun violence prevention."
Ramon Soto, senior vice president and chief marketing officer at Northwell Health, recognised the power of storytelling to connect with audiences. He stated, "Northwell Studios represents a natural evolution of our commitment to purpose-driven and movement thinking... Through entertainment, we can break down the walls of our hospitals, amplify the voices of our frontline heroes, and shed light on critical health and societal issues."
Ilan Arboleda, co-founder and co-CEO of CreativeChaos vmg, expressed shared enthusiasm for the partnership: "Northwell and CreativeChaos have a shared vision and proven track record of using media and storytelling to raise awareness about the most pressing topics facing society today... Together, we look forward to developing compelling content that will resonate with audiences."
Northwell Studios will continue partnering with passionate filmmakers, writers, and creative visionaries committed to telling impactful stories. The studio will work closely with storytellers, providing access to facilities, medical experts, and consenting patients to develop and produce compelling content. They are also committed to partnering with distributors to ensure widespread audience reach.
The studio is committed to maintaining high ethical standards, prioritising patient privacy and brand safety throughout production. This will be achieved through a partnership model ensuring that stories are told authentically by outside voices and talent.
Northwell's past productions demonstrate their commitment to telling powerful stories. These include the 2020 Netflix series "Lenox Hill," which showcases stories of hope and medical innovation. "The First Wave," a documentary released in 2021, captures the heartbreak, resilience, and recovery of patients and staff at Long Island Jewish Medical Center during the first four months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, "Emergency NYC: A new Netflix series featuring Northwell," features Dr. David Langer and his patient Julian Primiano discussing the critical role of the healthcare system in a successful brain surgery.
With the launch of Northwell Studios, the healthcare provider aims to leverage the power of storytelling to create engaging and impactful content that shines a light on healthcare issues and the dedication of healthcare professionals. Their commitment to ethical production practices and partnerships with talented filmmakers ensures that these stories reach a wide audience and spark meaningful conversations about healthcare in society.
