Elizabeth Wilder

**Dr. Elizabeth Wilder** is the former Chief of Oncology and Medical Director at New Amsterdam.

Elizabeth took over the Oncology & Hematology department for Dr. Helen Sharpe, who left for a Medical Director position in the United Kingdom.

After running the Oncology & Hematology department succesfully for years, she became the Medical Director after Dr. Max Goodwin left for the W.H.O in Switzerland.

## Family

Elizabeth was born to hearing parents. Her older brother, Adam, is also hearing. As a child growing up, her family dinners were always silent so they could practice ASL for her. She and her family moved around constantly through the states so she could go to the best schools.

Her brother, Adam, has schizophrenia. He suffered his first episode in college, far away from home and family, and was arrested as law enforcement believed he was on drugs. Elizabeth became his legal guardian, and it’s assumed he was inpatient up until the lockdowns, when Elizabeth says he moved in with her.

After Elizabeth moves to New Amsterdam, Adam has another episode. Elizabeth is the only one who can calm him down. Elizabeth confesses to Iggy that she feels like she owes Adam. She believes if she and her parents paid more attention to him instead of being so focused on her, they could’ve seen the signs. It is revealed Adam faked the episode because he wanted to move out. He felt like he was a burden, saying that Elizabeth never went out anymore and that the other night when she had a ‘friend’ over for drinks was the first time she’d seen her happy in years.

After, Elizabeth wants to take him home, They have a heart to heart and Adam brings up a time in 8th grade when he brought her to the school dance because no one else would go with the ‘deaf girl’. He says that then, it was time for them to let her go, now it’s time for her to let him go. Elizabeth promises to always be there for him and they share a hug. (Family; All Night Long)

## Relationships

### Mia Castries

In The Crossover, Elizabeth meets Mia Castries. She is suspicious of her at first as she is placed into the Oncology department by Veronica. Elizabeth takes Mia’s jokes seriously, leading to an awkward first interaction. She later turns to Mia for help with her patient, Willow. She tells Willow that she doesn’t know Mia, nor does she trust her, but she’s willing to put that aside if she can help her. Mia is able to help Willow and they share a touch and a smile. Seeming to now trust her, Elizabeth invites her to join the resistance.

When the resistance is exposed in Unto The Breach, Veronica says that Mia had the chance to tell her about the resistance, but she didn’t. Elizabeth looks surprised, seeming to have suspected her as well.

Elizabeth goes to Mia looking for help with her patient Lewis in Two Doors. She puts too much faith in Mia’s abilities, accidentally offending Mia who blows up at her. When Mia finds her to apologize, Elizabeth apologizes first. Mia is able to help Lewis pass away peacefully but seems saddened by the realization he is gone. Elizabeth reassures Mia that she got him to his daughter’s wedding and places a comforting hand on her arm.

### Ben Meyer

Ben Meyer is Elizabeth’s interpreter. He has worked with her for years and seems to be friends with her outside of work as well as in The Crossover, she asks him about how his date went. In Heal Thyself, Ben seems to be the only person at the hospital who was previously aware of Elizabeth’s carpal tunnel.

## Trivia

* She had a friend over for drinks who is referred to as a she. It’s the happiest Adam ‘has seen her in years’ implying that they were more than friends.
* Elizabeth did Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) in Ghana. She was awarded an Honor of the Star of Ghana for having fixed irrigation systems during her time there. Sometimes she just likes to wear the badge out.
* She was a chair at the Murtha Cancer Center at Walter Reed Hospital before working at New Amsterdam.
* Elizabeth is always seen wearing the same pair of gold earrings throughout the show. The right earring is of the constellation Cassiopeia, the left are two stars.
* She studied at the Texas University MD Anderson Cancer Research Center.
* She did her fellowship at NIH Clinical Center in Maryland.

## Appearances

* New Amsterdam (2 Seasons; 26 episodes)
	+ Season 4: *More Joy; We're in This Together; Laughter and Hope and a Sock in the Eye; Talkin' Bout a Revolution;The Crossover; Family; Unto the Breach; Two Doors; All Night Long; Unfinished Business; Rise; Castles Made of Sand; I'll Be Your Shelter*
	+ Season 5: *TBD; Hook, Line and Sinker; Big Day; Heal Thyself; Grabby Hands; Give Me a Sign; Maybe Tomorrow; All the World's a Stage; The Empty Spaces; Don't Do This for Me; Falling; Right Place; How Can I Help?*