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 Rank: Not Applicable Duty: Chief Medical Officer Race: Humanoid (simulated) |
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Rank: Not Applicable Duty: Chief Medical Officer Race: Humanoid (simulated) |
Holograms have long been used by Starfleet personnel for relaxation, exercise and training, but the function of the Emergency Medical Hologram is much more crucial: it is a valuable supplement to a starship's medical personnel in the event of a medical crisis. Its extensive computer database is equipped with information from 2000 medical references and the experience of 47 physicians. The Emergency Medical Hologram on the USS Voyager, however, is even more indispensible -- it is the only trained physician for a crew that is stranded 70,000 light years from all contact with the Federation. As the Doctor is called upon in ways like no other holographic program before, he is developing his own personality, relationships and feelings as well.
The Emergency Medical Hologram (EMH) was activated in 2371 when the U.S.S. Voyager's chief medical officer was killed as the ship was violently swept into the Delta Quadrant. The EMH was designed for short-term use only, to be deactivated once a medical emergency was over. Voyager, however, doesn't have that luxury. The EMH Doctor is all the crew has for medical care to sustain them until they get home, which could take as long as 75 years.
The Doctor was very arrogant at the beginning of his service, unwilling to gladly suffer the crew and their dependence on him. As he gradually became a valued member of the crew, he forged close bonds with his shipmates, and his sense of self-worth seemed to rise at the same time. His student and protege Kes was also his closest friend, as she continually showed great concern over the Doctor's personal growth and well-being.
The Doctor has grown far beyond the bounds of his initial programming, in ways that could not be expected, even developing his own emotions. After two years of service, the EMH program had to be re-booted when its memory circuits degraded from continuous use. Originally restricted to Sickbay and the holodeck, the Doctor is now able to operate independently almost anywhere thanks to a mobile 29th-century holo-emitter he picked up during an adventure on 20th-century Earth. As his personal growth continues, his curiosity about life and humanity increases, and he is able to provide a unique perspective on both to the Voyager crew.
Interesting Facts
The EMH was activated on Stardate 48308.
The official designation for the hologram is EMH program AK-1 diagnostic and surgical subroutine Omega 323.
The EMH was created by Dr. Lewis Zimmerman at Starfleet's Jupiter Station Holoprogramming Center. The holo-engineer's name was inspired by Star Trek production designer Herman Zimmerman.
The EMH Doctor does not actually have a given name, though he has considered several possibilities, including Benjamin Spock, Jonas Salk and Albert Schweitzer.
The EMH's medical database includes medical techniques developed by Dr. Leonard H. McCoy over a century before.
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