Two Masters

[Cmdr JFarrington 0]

No one can serve two masters.

Either you will hate the one and love the other,

Or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other.

6]

~Matthew 6:24

 

“I requested a live and open com from the bridge because of the medical situation,” said Vilanne, in response to Jami’s questioning glance. During their discussion, Vilanne had said something about overriding her orders, and Jami could not remember having done so.

 

“Waiting for people to tell us after the fact wasn't going to work in this situation,” Vilanne continued. “I also wanted to have them immediately beamed to sickbay, without having a medical team review them in the bay first, knowing it would save time. I did not feel it was necessary to change that, even though we had one small incident with Nurse Nancy hearing that Precip was alive, but I did not feel it warranted stopping the open com and changing my previous orders to have them immediately beamed to sickbay.

 

“I would like to know that the bridge crew would not override my medical decisions.”

 

Bridge crew? Command? She would like to know that command would not override her medical decisions?

 

The statement was totally unexpected, and it took Jami a moment to formulate a response, though as Second Officer she was not obligated to explain a command decision. As she listened to Vilanne, she weighed each thought carefully, trying to balance them out. Had Vilanne realized the full implications of her statement? Had she chosen her words poorly, had she meant something else? Or, in her struggle to ‘fit into’ the role of Chief Medical Officer, had she felt threatened by the presence of a superior officer working under her? All of the above? None of the above?

 

“Our decision to not beam was for their safety,” Jami said finally. “Beaming within the Badlands, under the best of circumstances, is not advisable. And, although I do understand your concern about overriding your decision, I will offer no explanation. I fully understand if you prefer I not operate as a physician. That is your prerogative, as Chief of Medicine.”

 

“That's a decision you would have to choose,” said Vilanne, “but as the CMO, I sometimes have to pull from resources, you... Jaiysa... others that have medical degrees, whether you want to work here or not.”

 

Whether you want to work here or not? Clearly the stress of the past week had clouded Vilanne’s judgment.

 

“I would enjoy having you still work here, but be cautious not to make decisions for me, or this department, whether from the bridge or down here, without going through me.”

 

Jami held her tongue and assumed a totally professional demeanor. She requested permission to leave and, upon receiving it, placed Vakhtang Dalsazashvili’s chart on Vilanne’s desk, bid her good day, and left the office. A turning point had come, both personal and professional.

 

The conversation had unearthed a concern that Jami had buried for years: conflict of interest. When Jami was both Chief Medical Officer and Second Officer, the conflict had not arisen. She had successfully balanced the two positions. The possibility that there should ever be a conflict had never been discussed.

 

Under Dr. Chalice, however, Jami served two masters. As Second Officer, her primary concern was the safety of the ship and crew. As a physician, her primary concern was her patient. That her command position came first presented a definite personal and professional conundrum. No wonder Vilanne was confused.

 

The Counselor’s office - Jami’s office - was in sick bay. Even with the door closed, her connection with the medical department remained. After a long moment of reflection, Jami made her decision.

==Office of Counseling Services==

=USS Manticore, NCC 5852-A=

Cmdr J.E. Farrington, Counselor

 

To: Admiral Atragon-9, Commanding Officer, USS Manticore

To: Captain Sovak, Executive Officer, USS Manticore

From: Commander Jami Farrington, MD, PhD, Counselor, Second Officer, USS Manticore

Re: Conflict of Interest

 

Sirs:

 

It is apparent that a conflict of interest exists between my position as Second Officer and my position as ship’s counselor. Specifically, I cannot exercise my duties as Second Officer without presenting a command structure conflict when I also fill the position of counselor under the command of the Chief Medical Officer.

 

To resolve the current conflict of interest, I respectfully request that the position of ship’s counselor be removed from the medical department and be designated as a separate entity within the ship’s command structure. This move will not only resolve the issue of conflict of interest but will make the counseling position more autonomous and give patients a comfortable, confidential atmosphere outside the medical facilities.

 

It should be noted that this arrangement successfully exists on several Starfleet vessels, one of which is USS Enterprise, NCC 1701-D.

 

J.E. Farrington, Counselor