Patrick Dempsey credits 'Grey's Anatomy' with creating a new generation of doctors

Patrick Dempsey credits "Grey's Anatomy" with more than inspiring fans to fall in love with McDreamy.

Stopping by "Good Morning America" while promoting his new film, "Ferrari," Dempsey, 57, expressed his sincere gratitude that the long-running medical drama has influenced so many people to become doctors themselves.

"(Grey's) has really inspired so many people to go into the medical profession," the actor, who appeared on the show as a series regular for 11 seasons from 2005 to 2015, said. "I think that's been the biggest gift coming out of that show, is to be able to do something positive and give back."

The recently-crowned "Sexiest Man Alive" by People also spoke about his own work with the Dempsey Center, a nonprofit that he established in his home state of Maine in 2008, after his mother battled ovarian cancer. According to its official website, the Dempsey Center "provides personalized and comprehensive cancer care at no cost" and aims to be "a space where those impacted by cancer could find relief, comfort and resources."

"We don't treat the disease, we treat the person holistically with wrap-around care," Dempsey explained on "GMA." "Our goal is to reach everybody who has been impacted in the state of Maine and also then to spread the word of this is what you need to do to complement the traditional approaches of fighting cancer, and it should be standardized care."

"We do spend so much time and energy on research and developing the drugs that are important, but we forget about healing the human being," he added. "Not only the patient but the family and everyone around them that's been impacted."

"Ferrari" follows Enzo and Laura Ferrari (Adam Driver and Penelope Cruz) as they attempt to pull their business out of bankruptcy while grieving the recent death of their son, Dino, from muscular dystrophy. Dempsey stars as Italian racing driver Piero Taruffi, in a cast that also includes Shailene Woodley. The film, directed by Michael Mann, premieres in theaters Dec. 25.

Contributing: Patrick Ryan

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Patrick Dempsey: 'Grey's Anatomy' created a new generation of doctors