Bad plastic surgery? Pastelitos obsession? 6 Miami moments in new Netflix show

Miami Herald

23-04-2025

Miami is a town of alligators and hurricanes and bad boob jobs — in real life and on a new Netflix medical drama called 'Pulse.'
The fictional show follows third-year medical resident Dr. Danny Simms of Homestead as she competes for a doctor leadership position at a trauma center.
'Pulse' isn't a show so much about Miami, but it's filled with plenty of those 'So Miami' moments.
Here are some of the ones we've spotted:
The hospital on 'Pulse'
Maguire Medical Center isn't a real medical center in Miami. But it's clearly trying to make you think of Ryder Trauma Center, part of Jackson Health System, Miami-Dade's public hospital network. Maguire sees all types of emergencies, just like Jackson.
Both are Level 1 trauma centers, which means they're equipped to handle the most complex injuries, including those that require specialty care, around the clock. Both are in the Magic City. And both have some UM flare going on.
Jackson Memorial is the teaching hospital of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. And just like it's common to see UHealth medical residents at Jackson's medical Miami campus, Maguire has its own character repping the U.
Fashionable three-year medical student Camila Perez is sometimes seen sporting a white coat with the UM Miller School of Medicine logo.
While some parts of 'Pulse' were filmed in Miami-Dade County, Jackson said no scenes were shot at the hospital, even a helipad scene with a county rescue chopper landing on Maguire's roof.
The Chisme Queen
Word gets around fast in Maguire. And the chisme culture is real, especially when it comes to Dr. Simms' complicated relationship with her boss and chief resident Dr. Xander Phillips.
And senior ER Nurse Cass Himmelstein is like that tia who has the tea on everyone. Except Himmelstein tends to use her grapevine powers to mainly help out Dr. Tom Cole, a British second-year surgery resident.
Cole is the handsome, non-committal Miami playboy who your best friend warns you about. A hurricane trashed his BMW. He's trying to impress senior surgeon Dr. Ruben Soriano. And he has a soft spot for patients, especially a certain Miami-Dade EMT.
'So Miami' medical emergencies
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue's ambulances and helicopters make several appearances throughout the show, especially when Miami-Dade County EMT Nia Washington's heroic actions during a hurricane end with her under Cole's care.
And while some 'Pulse' medical emergencies are typical for a hospital, others sound more like Miami problems.
Figuring out how to treat patients during a hurricane blackout with limited power supply? Check.
A botched boob job and liposuction procedure by a private plastic surgeon? Check.
And let's not forget the 'Florida Special' — alligator bite. Triple check.
Sounds like Miami all around.
Spanglish is everywhere
Speaking of Miami things, it can't be the 305 without a good dose of Spanglish.
Whether it's talking to patients who only speak Spanish or arguing among themselves, characters jump from English to Spanish somewhat frequently, including Soriano and Dr. Natalie Cruz, chair of surgery and emergency medicine.
'We wanted some actors with authority that would lead this hospital, and we wanted them to be Latino doctors because this is Miami. And Miami is really a Latin city,' co-showrunner and executive producer Carlton Cuse said in a Netflix blog post.
While we haven't heard any characters use 'pero like' or 'Dale' yet on the show, you can scratch off 'super pesada' from your Miami English bingo.
'Pulse' films in Miami Beach, other parts of Miami area
If you're like us, there's a certain thrill in recognizing Miami background scenes while watching the show.
The nightlife of South Beach, PortMiami's bridge with its view of the downtown skyline, and the Venetian Causeway that connects the mainland to Miami Beach are just some spots to watch for.
'Pulse' also filmed in several Miami-Dade neighborhoods, including El Portal and South Miami-Dade, according to Miami-Dade County's Film and Entertainment Office.
What about the beach where a Miami-Dade chopper drops off Simms and Phillips for an emergency situation involving swimmers?
It's Historic Virginia Key Beach Park.
Pastelitos obsession
Like in many Miami workplaces, you'll find Maguire's doctors and nurses bickering over who gets the last pastelito. The pastelitos of Versailles, a popular tourist hotspot and the backdrop of South Florida political rallies, even got a mention, though some thoughts on the restaurant's pastries might insult some.
But what we really want to know is: Where are the croquetas?
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