Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Nisihe Odraavi (Chief Medical Officer) in Sickbay - Ensign Woolley Arrival on Starbase Magellan

Posted by Ensign Maximilian Woolley (Medical Officer) in Sickbay - Ensign Woolley Arrival on Starbase Magellan

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Nisihe Odraavi (Chief Medical Officer) in Sickbay - Ensign Woolley Arrival on Starbase Magellan
Posted by… suppressed (6) by the Post Ghost! 👻

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Max swung his right leg over his left and placed his folded hands upon his knee. His posture was straight, his gaze attentive. Dr. Odraavi would likely take note of his slight pause before answering any question. He didn’t seem evasive, though was clearly thinking and organizing his thoughts before saying anything at all.

“I was studying for a doctorate in evolutionary biology. In particular, I focused my research on molecular evolution since first contact. At the time I had some strong opinions on naturalism. Basically, that as a species our own biology is the best medicine. The more I researched, however, the more I realized how important technology has been to our evolution. From there I began really exploring ways in which humanity’s intervention in biological processes have propelled humans forward. The exploration made me want to take a more direct hand in healing. It was sort of a philosophical switch in me where I realized that medicine more closely aligned with my personal values to pursue good.”

It wasn’t a canned response. No matter how many times people asked him about his scientific background he found that his answer always differed slightly. His understanding continued to evolve and be contextualized with new experiences and encounters.

Dr. Max Woolley, Medical Officer

Nisihe wove her fingers together, pulling her hands close, her head tilted slightly to the side. She considered Max, his conscientious approach to her question convincing her of his self-control.

“I’ve read of the philosophy behind naturalism, but haven’t yet dappled in the field myself. From what I understand, it was a common practice for a large period of Earth’s history; naturopaths, as they were called, found other means of encouraging the body to heal itself through natural remedies such as herbal supplements or accupuncture, rather than medications which could disrupt the body’s natural barriers. ” Odraavi had spent her career as a standard physician, but that didn’t render her blind to the possibilities of alternative approaches to medicine. “Our bodies, whether human or Betazoid, have become accustomed to the precense of medications in our system. At birth, we are subject to the pain relievers used to ease a mother’s discomfort; as a child, we receive immunizations in effort to prevent illness. In essence, our reliance on technology is a result of our own doing. Unfortunately, it is inescapable in a time where everything is dependent on technology’s reaches.”

“Tell me about your first patient,” Odraavi softly smiled. A doctor never forgot their first patient, they were often the key allowing them to fully enter the art of medicine. In many ways, they shaped a physician far more than any mentor ever could. Passion, empathy, perseverance; strong on their own but infallible together. It was among those first cases that truly brought them to light.

Dr. Odraavi
CMO

“I wasn’t totally on board with the rejection of medicine, mind you. Though I did have serious concerns about how technology affected humans from an evolutionary standpoint. If, for example, humans evolved to a point where they are incapable of natural birth and require the assistance of technology then what would happen if our species suddenly found itself without technology? These, of course, are valid scientific concerns. What I lacked at that time, however, was the ability to then apply that information down to the individual. Basically, I’d say I lacked an empathetic application for these musings. Sure, we as a species might be stronger if we evolved a greater physical resilience. Yet, what are we to do with the individual who is sick? I suppose if I were to take the extreme cynical route I might begin traveling down the path of eugenics. Though I’d say the path most people who have suffered this sort of dilemma, myself included, take is to realize that evolution extends beyond the physical. Our species is greater than the sum of our physiology,” Max spoke thoughtfully and methodically. His tone did not really alter as he laid out this logical argument and organic progression of thought.

“My first patient…” he said with a smile. He shifted in his seat. He wasn’t visibly uncomfortable. He appeared, quite the contrary, to be getting more comfortable. “Her name was Kara. She was the 6 year old daughter of an academy instructor. Realize that I had done routine physicals up to that point in the academy clinic. Nothing of particular significance stood out. I suppose, technically, one of them would be my first patient. Kara, though, was the first non-medically trained person I ever treated. She wasn’t sitting on the biobed telling me that my hypospray mix had room for improvement. Kara was a six year old girl who broke her arm while playing outside. Her mother was very upset. She might well have taken her to a clinic where she could have been seen by a proper doctor. I was walking the campus, I had just finished my final exams and was preparing for a rotation in the clinic.”

Max’s view shifted from the CMO, glancing off to the left as he recalled the event.

“I didn’t even have a medkit with me. I ran over. I had always been afraid I wouldn’t be able to respond properly in an emergency. I might freeze. She was so upset. Her mother was so upset. I had Kara look at me and tell me a funny story. She calmed down while I examined her arm. I kept her talking. Soon she was laughing. I told her mother that she needed to go to sickbay. She could certainly take her wherever she wanted. Though if she consented, we could take her to the Medical Academy clinic and I could continue. I was shocked when she agreed. This girl could be seen by the best of the best. The people who were teaching me. So I took her to the clinic, we used an osteogenic stimulator on her arm. Kara was happy again. All the while, my final exams were being completed. My treatment of her coincided with the grades that would take me from medical student to intern.”

Max returned his gaze to make eye contact with Dr. Odraavi. He had a slight smile. He also realized he had been somewhat rambling on a bit with the two questions she had posed to him. Yet, he made no apology for his verbosity. He used just as many words as he felt necessary to convey his meaning, no more or less.

Dr. Max Woolley (Medical)