Lieutenant Commander Martin Paulsen, Chief Medical Officer

Species

Human

Gender

Male

Age

30

Hair

Blond

Height

1m91 / 6' 3"

Skin Tone

Caucasian

Description

Good build befitting his height, laid back and somewhat nonchalant

Special Traits

n/a

Family

Mother Martina Paulsen - Marine Biologist
Father William Paulsen – Geologist

Personal Profile

Traits, Quirks

Listens to music while working. Whistles/talks to himself while studying a case. Occasionnally plays ethnic music from healing rituals while treating patients.

Interests

Swimming, diving, classical and ethnic music, dancing, collecting and playing instruments.

Ambitions

To write a treaty on sound-based therapies. To make a name, even a small one, as a composer.

Likes

Spicy food, outdoor activities

Dislikes

Being called "Mart" or "Marty", cutting his hair; not shaving for more than two days because it grows in patches and makes him look silly.

Strengths

Above the average hearing, Aptitudes with languages and musical instruments

Limitations

Stubborn and somewhat self centered due to being an only child

Skills

Neurosurgery, Perfect Pitch, Music Composition

Languages

Federation Standard, Dutch, French and basics in numerous others.

Personal History

Childhood and adolescence

Martin was born on a small Caribbean island and his childhood was mostly carefree. He contracted a skin desease during a holiday when he was 10. He had to spend months away from the sun and went bald for a year from the side effects of the treatment. He endured the jokes from his schoolmates, then grew long hair and endured more jokes. It taught him strength of character and to do what he wants regardless.

There was a tug of war between his father (geologist) and his mother (marine biologist) over his studies. For years he would spend half his holidays around mountains and volcanoes or even on the Moon with his father. Then he would spend the other half studying marine life with his mother.

After he left to study at the university in Florida, he didn't come home for a whole year. Upon his return, he announced that he had been studying medicine instead of science with a double major. This started an argument between his parents and he left home again. Later he understood that was the way they loved each other and visited more.

Medical School

At medical school, he tired quickly from the perceived lack of perspectives for himself on Earth. Medicine seemed so much of button pushing, yet he didn't fancy confining himself to frontier medicine on a colony, or plain research. A teacher advised him to join Starfleet. Martin didn't think he would like Starfleet and wearing a uniform, but he read through the papers written by numerous Starfleet physicians and was so excited that he decided to join.

The first year was the hardest because he was introduced to many subjects he didn't know about, unrelated either to medicine or science. The next three years were not easy as there was a lot to learn about different species and Starfleet medical procedures. Counselors advised to have him do his residency away on the Moon, Mars and orbital stations. He missed the sea and the open air a lot then and was often homesick but finally adjusted. He asked to change the subject of his thesis after realizing the importance of sound on starbases and ships. This led him to take singing and music lessons.

Time passed so fast he was surprised to see Graduation day arrive. His first assignment was on the Galaxy class USS Saturn, under Captain Strazzco. The same year, he was promoted to Lieutenant JG and the position of ACMO. He turned the latter down, feeling on a large ship the position would eat away at his chances to further his medical studies. At the end of the year, he left to complete his specialisation as Neurosurgeon but declined to serve in a Starfleet hospital.

His specialization completed, Martin was assigned to the USS Swiftsure only to find himself abruptly bumped up to Chief Medical Officer. He left the ship in 2379 to develop his career further. When the news came that the USS Swiftsure was declared missing with all hands, Martin dropped everything and went home. Three years later the Swiftsure was miraculously back. Captain Chapman offered his the position of CMO again and he accepted in a heartbeat, leaving behind an excellent position at Starfleet Medical.

In 2385, Cmdre Paula Chapman Stark was reassigned to the USS Poseidon NCC-89515. Martin followed in her heartbeat along with the rest of the Senior Staff.

Medical Thesis and Research

Paulsen wrote his thesis on the subjet of how Engineering personnel on certain starships develop syndroms misdiagnosed as separate symptoms. This is because of the particular mix of sounds they are exposed to daily. Environmental specialists claimed the sound factor was already taken care of and his study was faulty. Paulsen subjected himself and a group of volunteers to a number of experiments and proved his point.

Paulsen has also done a study about the many civilizations use ritual music for medecine. He collects these traditions and puts together samples for healing purposes. He sometimes uses them in Sickbay.

Medical Profile

Martin Paulsen is in better physical condition than the average non Security personnel, a fact he owes to a childhood of outdoor activities that he has kept up with to this day.

- Dr Jadelyn Kingsley, USS Swiftsure

Psychological Report

Paulsen has a slightly obsessive streak when it comes to his hair, brought about by a childhood disease that forced him to go bald for several months. More importantly, his tendency to develop claustrophobia aboard starships is now well under control through a regular regimen of holodeck outings and an array of measures deployed in his office and quarters. The various traumatic events that occurred throughout his career have left some marks but no more so that can be helped. They are a part of his still ongoing personal growth.

His baby blue eyes are deceptive. They make him look younger and carefree, a fact he often uses when it suits him. He is a strong-willed individual, occasionally stubborn but his commitment to his work and patients is remarkable.

- Counsellor Alejandro Mateo, USS Swiftsure

Education

General schooling

Earth, Saint Martin Island

Starfleet

Service Record

USS Saturn

Medical Officer, ACMO

USS Swiftsure

Medical Officer, CMO

Starfleet Medical

Head of a neurosurgery unit - Medical Instructor

USS Swiftsure

Chief Medical Officer

USS Poseidon

Chief Medical Officer

Mission Ribbons

Awards

6F Meritous Unit Citation
10809.02

Sixth Fleet
Order of Meritous Service
61111.9

Sixth Fleet
Meritous Unit Citation
61111.9

Sixth Fleet Academy
Instructor Award

Posts of the Month

3 x POTM

Swifture Awards

3.5 Year Service Ribbon

450 Posts Ribbon