A TOUGH-TALKING PLASTIC SURGEON TAKES ON THE HARDEST CASES, PLUS A LOOK INTO THE WORLD OF THREE MEDICAL STUDENTS, ON "HOPKINS," THURSDAY, JULY 24 ON ABC

From a plastic surgeon who was told he wouldn't pass muster but now is performing miracles to three medical students whose patients sometimes feel like guinea pigs, the fifth hour of "Hopkins" documents what it takes to make it as a caregiver at Johns Hopkins Hospital. The series continues to capture astounding scenes of medical crisis, with young doctors forced to make life and death decisions on the fly. The result is a stunningly intimate portrait of the men and women who call this hospital home. "Hopkins" airs THURSDAY, JULY 24 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

In this episode:

� Anthony Tufaro left a career as a successful dentist for a career in surgery he was told he could not have. But the tough-talking plastic surgeon thinks there is no challenge too great. He claims he can do in one operation what other surgeons can only do in three.

� Sneha Desai, Herman Bagga and Gina Westhoff introduce viewers to life as a third-year medical student. In their world, "the gross stuff is cool," delivering a baby is a career-decider, and wearing a turban is an icebreaker with patients. But sometimes they find their enthusiasm to participate in procedures isn't shared by patients, who are less than thrilled to be �guinea pigs.'

� Frightened that brain surgery could damage their precocious son, Thomas McGowan's parents reluctantly let a top brain surgeon try to remove a potentially devastating tumor. An articulate and at times exuberant family, their story is full of suspense, but also humor.

� Mya Thomas had nearly drowned when pulled out from a pool. Doctors cannot save her, although life support keeps her technically alive. They find themselves in a quandary, trying to convince her parents to disconnect her breathing apparatus. But a top surgeon has given the family mixed signals about her prognosis, and they believe a miracle may be possible.

"Hopkins" offers a rare look at the impact that this demanding and high pressure profession can have on doctors' personal lives. For four months, ABC News' high definition cameras had unparalleled access to this legendary hospital. Over one hundred caregivers and patients gave their consent to be filmed. Culled from nearly 1500 hours of footage, "Hopkins" contains scenes that are remarkably raw and private, and examines the interplay between the public and private worlds of the men and women who wear the white coats. There are no narrators in "Hopkins"; the voices belong to the patients and doctors. Interwoven storylines unfold in scenes of cin�ma v�rit�.

Terence Wrong is producer and executive producer. Brad Hebert and Alex Piper are supervising producers. Rudy Bednar is senior executive producer.