Hertane Tenesh

Federation records do not include a full accounting of Hertane Tenesh’s history before joining Starfleet, but she attended the University of Orion’s medical school just before the Dominion War, and then spent more than twenty years as an itinerant physician, with time spent on all manner of private vessels, stations, and colonies in both Klingon and Federation space. During this time, she published extensively in multiple medical journals, rather unusually for a traveling doctor.

In 2395, citing a desire to have a little more stability in her life, she approached the commanding officer of Starbase 4 to offer her services as a highly regarded xenomedicine specialist. She was given the provisional rank of Lieutenant Commander and served for four years in this role. With the USS Arcturus preparing to depart for the Delta Quadrant, Starfleet Medical persuaded her to join the crew, with an increase of her provisional rank to Commander. She was assigned as one of the two Assistant Chief Medical Officers, with her provisional authority limited to medical decisions. This suited her just fine, though, as she had no real interest in participating in the mundane affairs of a starship, but she was admittedly intrigued by the idea of meeting never before seen species on the other side of the galaxy.

After over five years holding provisional rank, her full commission was confirmed in 2401 when she requirements necessary for her to become chief medical officer aboard the starship Achilles. However, her permanent grade is lieutenant commander, while her provisional grade was commander, as she has not yet passed (or attempted) the bridge officer’s exam.