Joel Bervell always envisioned creating a live-action and animated series to inspire the next generation of medical professionals. Growing up as a Ghanaian-American, he often searched for representation in the media. One of his favorite shows, “Static Shock,” left a lasting impression on him as a child, particularly a specific episode where the superhero traveled to Ghana to explore his roots. "I just remember feeling like this is crazy to see someone that looks like me on TV," he recalls. This moment resonated deeply and became the foundation of his desire to create something that could provide similar inspiration for young viewers.

Now a medical student at Washington State University's Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Bervell faced significant challenges. While studying at Yale and graduating with a bachelor's degree in 2017, he quickly realized he was often among the few Black students in his science classes. A pivotal moment came after a disappointing chemistry test when a professor asked if he was an athlete, suggesting he might only be at Yale on a sports scholarship. "I remember thinking to myself, like, would you have told a white kid that? Is it because I'm Black?" Bervell explains. These experiences fueled his determination to challenge stereotypes and create visibility. Working at Howard University Hospital during his junior year solidified his commitment, as being surrounded by Black doctors provided a sense of belonging and purpose. "It's so important to see someone that looks like you," he reflects, "who's gone through the struggles."

Bervell’s series embodies his experiences, his struggles, and the heroes who inspired him along the way. Titled ‘The Doctor Is In,’ the animated digital series introduces Leland, a 5-year-old Black boy who dreams of becoming a doctor. “I never saw people who looked like me in the field of medicine,” Bervell explains, noting that less than 6% of doctors in the U.S. are Black. He believes, "You can't be what you can't see," which inspired him to create this show for kids aged 3 to 5. In each episode, Leland, guided by Dr. Joel and his magical, talking medical supplies, learns about medical concepts like why his stomach growls when hungry or what happens when he loses a tooth. "We also tackle more specific topics, like asthma, which Leland has, explaining it in ways both kids and their parents can understand," Bervell tells BET. The series' goal is twofold: to address the lack of diversity in medicine and to encourage young kids, especially Black children, to stay curious and believe they can be anything they aspire to be.

The 29-year-old hopes that ‘The Doctor Is In’ will inspire the next generation of doctors, especially from underrepresented communities. “I want there to be a kid that says, ‘I became a doctor because of this show,’” he says, adding that if just one child pursues medicine, “it’s all worth it.” To make this dream a reality, he’s launched a Kickstarter campaign, acknowledging that "animation, unfortunately, is really expensive." The minimum goal for the project is $60,000, which would fund the creation of a single episode. However, the ultimate aim is to produce a full season of ten 3-5 minute episodes. Depending on the amount raised, they could produce just the pilot, the entire mini-series, or even a 22-minute episode to pitch for distribution. Bervell emphasizes the effort required, from hiring voice actors to working with audio engineers, and mentions that the young actor playing Leland “actually wants to be a doctor in the future,” adding a layer of authenticity to the project.

Beyond funding, Bervell has ambitious dreams for the show’s reach and impact. He envisions expanding its audience with major platforms like YouTube, Netflix, or Hulu. He parallels shows like “Sesame Street” with aspirations of featuring celebrity guest stars like Jesse Williams and Jordin Sparks. “For Jesse, being a character on ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ and for Jordin, having family members with sickle cell disease, they can bring their connections to health,” Bervell explains. 

The science communicator, known as the "Medical Mythbuster," went viral on TikTok while in medical school during the COVID-19 pandemic. He began noticing troubling disparities in how race was discussed in healthcare, inspiring him to start sharing what he saw. "Black people were more likely to have asthma, Black people were more likely to have diabetes," he recalls. Still, he found that the socioeconomic factors behind these conditions were often overlooked. Frustrated by the lack of understanding and the overemphasis on race in medical biology, he took to TikTok to highlight these issues. One of his first viral videos was about pulse oximeters, devices used to measure blood oxygen levels. "Pulse oximeters don’t work well on darker skin tones," he explains, which led to significant misreadings during the COVID pandemic. This type of overlooked issue that he says "no one else was talking about" pushed him to create more content, educating others on similar racial disparities in healthcare.

As his platform grew, so did his impact. Messages poured in from people whose lives were changed by his work. "I saw your video and it allowed me to move up five years on the kidney transplant list," one person told him. Even medical professionals reached out to say they had learned from his content. "I got a message from a nurse saying I changed the way she thinks about her own practice," he shares. His work led him to collaborate with major organizations, including the White House and Vice President Kamala Harris. Now, as he nears the end of his medical school journey, his platform continues to raise awareness of racial issues in medicine. "It's humbling," he says.