MICHAEL GALLANT, Medical Student: A recent addition to the ER, Michael Gallant is a quiet, enigmatic fourth-year medical student who is working his way through school on the Army's ticket.

Sharif Atkins is excited by the challenge of joining the seasoned cast of "ER" and readily admits that there are parallels between himself and the character he portrays. Like third-year resident Michael Gallant, Atkins has entered a new environment where he is committed to doing his best.

Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Sharif moved with his family to Chicago when he was 6 years old. His father, a chief public defender, and his mother, a museum executive, still reside there. While Atkins remembers his first acting role as a strawberry in a fourth-grade play, he didn't feel any special commitment to the arts until he participated in a summer theatre arts program at Northwestern University, where he obtained his bachelor of science degree in speech in 1997.

Atkins remained in Chicago and worked in small stage productions, also guest starring in brief roles on such series as "Early Edition," "That's Life" and "The District" and appearing in the feature film "Light it Up."

Atkins got his first big break after moving to Los Angeles and being cast in "The Big Time," a two-hour telefilm executive produced by John Wells. Impressed with the young actor, Wells offered him the new role of Gallant. Atkins resides in Los Angeles. His birth date is January 29.