Benjamin Q. Tsang

Contents 1 Physical Characteristics 2 Biography 3 Personality 4 Starfleet Service

Physical Characteristics

Somewhat overweight, takes relatively poor care of himself for a Doctor. Has a tattoo of a stylized Staff of Asclepius on his upper back, between his shoulder blades.

Biography

Tsang was born on Luna to a pair of scientists. Although well respected within their fields, neither was particularly noted or wealthy. Despite their travels around the solar system for research, Tsang was raised with strong values in a loving family environment.

As a young teenager, Tsang set his sights on becoming a medical doctor. Although chastised early on for such a lofty goal by some, Tsang settled into a stubborn, well planned and goal oriented path. As soon as he was old enough, he volunteered in the medical field, first at medical clinics and later in hospitals.

It was there that he put greater focus on his goal, and decided to become a surgeon. It was also during this time that he was chastised for his rather portly appearance and resultingly chubby "un-surgeon-like" hands. Beyond his studies, Tsang took up the piano and later the violin to increase both his manual dexterity and sensitivity. He was not particularly inclined with either instrument, nor did he particularly enjoy playing them, but he applied the same focus to them as he did his medical ambitions.

Although encouraged to improve his personal fitness by playing sports, Tsang elected to avoid most physical activity. He generally disliked it, and determined it was more important to study and save his hands than it was to be fit and trim. So long as he had the knowledge and the hands, he felt he would be a better Doctor and surgeon.

His hard work and dedication paid off. Tsang didn't pay a penny for his schooling at any level, earning full scholarships each step of the way. After completing his Medical Doctorate and initial surgical internship, Tsang applied to residency positions across the solar system. Although offered an unusual position of Chief Resident at a relatively small hospital, Tsang turned them down for a chance to complete his residency at the prestigious Johns Hopkins.

Two years into a three year residency program, Tsang applied for and was accepted into the Interspecies Medical Exchange. Granted permission to continue his medical training with the IME Fellowship, Tsang moved to Andoria where he finished another year of training and speciality familiarization on Andorian physiology. After attaining proficiency and experience, Tsang was assigned to a number of an Andorian Imperial Guard units for the remainder of his two year fellowship.

Finding that he enjoyed the extra challenge of working on and with other species, Tsang applied for a position in Starfleet to further that career path. Although many Starfleet facilities were not quite to the same standard (and prestige) as older medical institutions, Starfleet represented a new and exciting edge that Tsang found refreshing.

Personality

Tsang is, generally, focused and methodical. He is driven by the desire to be the best Doctor (and particularly surgeon) he can possibly be. He continually studies and reviews with a near religious regularity. To this end, he also dislikes surprises, preferring to be properly prepared whenever possible. In medicine, it most often means having the correct knowledge to apply to a given problem, hence his devotion to study.

He is supremely skilled as a Doctor and surgeon, and has an incredibly high confidence in his abilities. Although it has an air of arrogance at times, it is not undeserved. Tsang demands of himself an impossibly high standard, and often comes close to achieving it. His continual inability to be perfect often pushes him to strive harder.

His single-minded focus has two major negative side-effects. Firstly, Tsang's outward personality appears somewhat cold and overly professional. It is not normally intentional, but rather a reflection of his own focus and methodology. Indeed, one of his weaker medical skills is his bedside manner.

Secondly, and somewhat curiously, it creates something of a contradiction with his physical health. Although generally healthy, Tsang does not keep himself as physically fit as he probably should. He is known to dislike exercise, and when focused intensely on a problem, often skips meals and stays up days on end. Such an intensive focus often negatively impacts his own health. The same contradiction can be found with his generally neat nature. He prefers things orderly, with everything in it's place. Yet, he is often noted for leaving mugs of tea and coffee littered about, or cold plates of untouched food sitting on a table, forgotten amidst his work.

Tsang is also rather particular. It would be unfair and something of an exaggeration to say he was obsessive or eccentric, but he could easily be classified as somewhat quirky. While not impolite, he is not afraid to speak his mind and demand things done the a particular way. Tsang also exhibits a strong and well centered core set of morals and identity. He is very rarely unsure.

Often a textbook example of a workaholic, Tsang has been known to carry a bit of a dry wit, and does enjoy the classic British sense of humour. While not one to play practical jokes or pranks, he is not above returning them. There are times when he takes a particular sadistic pleasure in doing so, even more so if he knows and respects the person involved.

Starfleet Service

2157.12.21	Assigned: NX-05 Yorktown,
	Assignment: Medical Officer
2158.06.18	Promoted to the rank of Lieutenant
	Assignment: Chief Medical Officer