Doctors attending an accident in which Bob Merrick (Rock Hudson), a spoilt rich man, has crashed his speedboat through negligence are thus unable to save the life of local physician Dr. Phillips.

Phillips was a kind, giving man who selflessly saved many lives and bettered the lot of many locals. Learning this, Merrick is inspired to take up Phillips' good work in atonement but his initial efforts are clumsy and do more harm than good. As he commits to becoming a doctor, he finds himself falling in love with Dr. Phillips' widow Helen (Jane Wyman).