The show was known for its opening titles, which consisted of a hand drawing the symbols "♂, ♀, ✳, †, ∞" on a chalkboard, as cast member Sam Jaffe said "Man, woman, birth, death, infinity.

The series stars Vince Edwards as medical doctor Ben Casey, the young, intense, and idealistic neurosurgeon at County General Hospital.

The show began running multi-episode stories, starting with the first five episodes of season four; Casey developed a romantic relationship with Jane Hancock (Stella Stevens), who had emerged from a coma after 15 years.

According to an article in TV Guide (September 30 – October 6, 1961), he worked with the actors to show them how to handle medical instruments, Ben Casey had several directors, including Irvin Kershner and Sydney Pollack.

Its theme music was written by David Raksin, and it is played in 5/4 time signature; a version performed by pianist Valjean was a Billboard Top 40 hit in the United States, peaking at number 28 on 23 June 1962.

[5][6] Due to the combination of The Beverly Hillbillies and The Dick Van Dyke Show, Ben Casey returned to its original Monday-night time slot in the fall of 1964, remaining there until its cancellation in March 1966.

[18][19] In the popular Japanese medical drama Doctor-X: Surgeon Michiko Daimon the office cat is named Ben Casey.

The skits opened with a spoof of the chalkboard sequence, adding one more symbol at the end — a dollar sign ($), accompanied by a laugh track.

[citation needed] The veterinarian in The Simpsons, first introduced in the episode "Dog of Death" performing surgery on Santa's Little Helper, was based on Ben Casey.

[27] In addition, the Springfield Hospital motif played at the start of a Hospital-based scene is based on the opening of the Ben Casey musical theme.

by Anthony Newley, Allan Sherman sings the lyrics: "When Ben Casey meets Kildare, that's called a paradox.