Posted by Lieutenant Commander Brad Walker (Chief Of Staff/Second Officer) in Chief of Staff’s Office - Marshall’s New Job
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Closing the door behind him, Drake stepped all the way into Walker’s office. “I guess I’ll break it down into parts. The most complex surgeries will go to me, again not to show off, but I know what I can do and especially under pressure. I need to evaluate these other doctors before I put them in those situations. McKnight and Parr would field a lot of middle and low level stuff. They’re qualified surgeons, but again, evaluation period. Then the two interns: Jacobs and Summers. They would assist wherever necessary. There’s no substitute for practical experience, but that’s something they’re in dire need of. They can be authorised, if they ask me or you directly, to fly solo on extremely low risk stuff if we need the extra hands out there. But, a complex fracture isn’t that difficult and in an emergency, we’ll need the extra help.”

Brad nodded. That was a sensible approach, and while he probably put a little more trust in McKnight and Parr than Marshall was, the younger man had seen them in action before. Brad had yet to find the time to watch each member of his staff in action. Jacobs and Summers were technically still cadets, but had scored high enough for the chance to complete their final Academy years on a Fleet ship. Learning from a highly-rated doctor like Marshall, especially one who preached being capable of operating no matter where you found yourself providing treatment, would only help them moving forward.

Drake took a heavy pause before going on. “And then there’s Jarvis. One of the best cardiothoracic surgeons… ever. And the Captain did not disagree with the term ‘sociopath.’ If I understand correctly, on a day to day basis, you hold his leash. But if he’s authorised to go into surgery as anything more than a patient, he’s my problem. At the very least I’ll monitor him and require reports from not just him but the lead nurse as well. And if anything seems out of place, I’ll take over. I don’t just needle him for my own personal amusement. I don’t know if he can tell the difference between patient and experiment. And I’m waiting for him to tip his hand and show me. That said, having an office to sit in between rounds will significantly reduce the temptation to call him Jasper the Ripper. And if I have issue with him, I have a door to close.”

“That’s good to hear,” Brad said. “I was almost ready to let him consult on procedures before his latest round of ‘Victimization Theater’, but now he’s facing another month of treating scraped knees and tennis elbow on overnights before I even consider letting him near a scalpel again.”

“All of that said, as I told the Captain, I take this position as seriously as I take my M.D. And the Ogawa will have the best surgical department in Starfleet. If you learn from the best, you become the best. And I’m sure leadership has some delightful educational surprises in store for me.”

“Who knows, maybe we’ll get lucky and happen across a new warp civilization that hasn’t figured out phasers yet. I haven’t treated a projectile victim since a holodeck malfunctioned during a re-enactment of the Burr-Hamilton duel about three years ago.”

“I know I’m not always a paragon of modern medicine. Trial by fire is kind of my thing though.”

-Dr Drake Marshall

“Trial by fire has its place, but you have to also consider the psyche of the person you’re putting through it,” Brad cautioned. “I doubt Dr. Reez would appreciate you making more work for him.”

Lt. Cmdr. Dr. Brad Walker
Chief of Staff

“I more meant me learning how to lead on a day to day basis, but duly noted. Dr Reez doesn’t much appreciate the sight of my face though, so I might see the other psychiatrist if I have any issues. I’ll try not to break anyone else.”

“Surgeons are used to pressure though. Something we’ll need to ease the interns into. McKnight, Parr, and I are all on call 24/7, 365. Summers and Jacobs need to get into that world, but since they can’t lead, I don’t know if they need to get up at midnight to assist in an appendectomy. Or the next idiot with a pareses squares injury. But maybe they should know what they’re walking into when they get those shiny little Ensign pips. What do you think? You’ve probably taught before.”

“I think getting them into the habit would be good for them professionally, if a bit miserable personally,” Brad said. “Will they resent being dragged from sleep for something relatively minor? Absolutely. Will they be glad for it if we get attacked at 0200 ship time and we’re all of a sudden drowning in plasma burns and traumatic pneumo-thorax injuries but they’re still alert and thinking clearly? Also absolutely.”

-Dr Drake Marshall, Chief of Surgery

Lt. Cmdr. Dr. Brad Walker
Chief of Staff

Drake nodded. “On the full time duty roster they go. I remember that was the hardest adjustment when I was on my first assignment. Just getting to sleep and then those god forsaken words ‘Doctor Marshall to secondary sickbay.’” He smiled. “They’ll still be appreciating it when they’re almost 30 and on call all the time. I remember my first Chief of Surgery making my life hell, but I got into good habits. And I learned to like espresso. I’ll put Jarvis on the emergency on call list. At the bottom. Anyone else who has surgical experience or training, I’ll talk to, if they’re good, they’ll go on the list. Speaking of which; performed many operations Dr Walker?”

-Dr Drake Marshall, Chief of Surgery

“A fair few when I was on the Agamemnon and the Vanguard. Though nothing more complicated than a biopsy in the last five years. I just did the diagnostics, I had a team to handle the treatment,” Brad said. “Though if we get to that point, I’m more than willing to pitch in wherever is needed.”

Though if they got to the point where he was needed in surgery, there were probably even bigger problems afoot, mostly related to the structural integrity of the ship.

Lt. Cmdr. Dr. Brad Walker
Chief of Staff

“Noted. Is there anything else to be sorted out? I need to move into my office and then call a staff meeting. I think I’ll put some guitars on the wall.”

-Dr Drake Marshall, Chief of Surgery

“I think we’re good for now,” Brad said. “Good luck, Dr. Marshall.”

Lt. Cmdr. Dr. Brad Walker
Chief of Staff

“Thanks. I will almost definitely need it.”

-Dr Drake Marshall, Chief of Surgery