Miranda Bailey, played by Chandra Wilson on ABC's Grey's Anatomy is a resident surgeon who was also previously in charge of the five interns (now second-year surgical residents, except for Dr. George O'Malley, who failed the intern exam). Her colleagues refer to her as "The Nazi" because of her tough personality and blunt attitude. Although often harsh with her interns, she cares about her patients and is a committed surgeon.

Through season 2 into season 3, Bailey was seen adjusting to becoming a parent and reconciling this with her desire to continue her career as a surgeon. Her professional confidence was shaken when Izzie Stevens cut Denny Duquette's LVAD wire and Denny subsequently died after his heart transplant; Bailey felt that she wasn't in control of her interns, and that the incident was ultimately her fault. She was criticised for the events at a Morbidity and Mortality conference in Oh, The Guilt, with one colleague questioning outright her competence at juggling career and motherhood. While her confidence has been somewhat restored since then, she still feels bad about not spending enough time with her son, once making a late-night call to sing "God Bless the Child" to him.

Disillusioned by how little she can help patients as a surgeon, Bailey decided to open a free clinic at Seattle Grace in the middle of season 3. She faced initial difficulties getting support from the attendings, but after talking with the Chief, managed to get their agreement to work there. The Denny Duquette Memorial Clinic has since opened using the $8.7 million bequeathed to Izzie by Denny, and Bailey is satisfied that the clinic will change people's lives for the better. She is competing for the post of Chief Resident, but in the final episode of Season Three, she finds out she lost to Callie Torres-O'Malley. Dr. Richard Webber has indicated that she could become Chief of Surgery in a few years' time.