YOUNG SOLDIER RETURNS FROM IRAQ TO WITNESS THE BIRTH OF HIS SON� BOSTON MED CAPTURES THE EMOTIONAL MOMENTS BEFORE THE BABY FACES CRITICAL SURGERY

Plus: A Chief Surgeon Balances Passion for His Work and the Needs of His Young Family

And: Meet Mass General's ER "Nurse of the Year"

Renee Peerless has spent nearly nine months of her pregnancy alone while her husband serves with the military in Iraq. His absence is made more difficult by the knowledge that their in-utero baby has a serious heart defect and will need surgery within days of being born. A story of courage and hope, viewers will recognize the universal themes of motherhood, duty and determination that summon the best from us in difficult situations. This episode of "Boston Med" airs THURSDAY, JULY 1 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Plus: Jon "JD" Daniels is chief cardiothoracic residents whose own father's life-saving heart surgery set him on a course to become a doctor. His commitment to his chosen profession is total, but the strains that long hours place on his young family are evident.

And: Amanda Grabowski is a two-time "Harvard Med Nurse of the Year" who works in the emergency department at Massachusetts General Hospital. Her innocent good looks conceal a tart-tongued, no-nonsense pro who deploys a lacerating wit when needed to keep colleagues and patients in line. On a daily basis she faces everything from a stubborn college student suffering from alcohol poisoning to an ignored �Do Not Resuscitate' order.

Finally: Pina Patel returns to vanquish the case of nerves that plagued her in the previous episode, showing her superiors that she has what it takes to be a leader in a medical crisis. She also enjoys a day out of scrubs at the spa and gives some serious thought to how she will find Mr. Right.

Picking up where "Hopkins" left off, "Boston Med" travels to a city renowned for medical excellence and home to three superb American hospitals: Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and Children's Hospital. Over four months, ABC cameras had unparalleled access to hospital staffs and patients. From operating rooms to end-of-life meetings, "Boston Med" explores the culture of doctors and nurses and the conversations that happen outside the patient's earshot. This unsparing look at the ups and downs of hospital care holds many surprises for viewers.

Terence Wrong is producer and executive producer. Rudy Bednar is senior executive producer. Sedika Mojadidi and Carl Hansen are supervising producers of "Boston Med."