Name: Dr. Joseph M. Sterling
Callsign: Dr. Sterling within the office, Joseph to his friends.
Age:47
Rank/Title(Dependant on position):Physician and M.D. in medicine and Coroner
Appearance:Joseph’s appearance takes on what most consider ideal for a well-seasoned physician of his caliber. Thin, lanky body at the height of 5’10” high and dressed in common white coat, crisp black pants, solid color shirt and dress shoes underneath with a plain blue neck tie to finish off his office wear. It’s rare to see him in anything else because like all full time doctors, he’s partially married to his practice. His hair is thin and white, neatly trimmed into a short cut. On first impression it’s clear by his appearance that Joseph takes pride in his work. In the face people have often described him as an older version of the actor named Bill Nighy with a hooked nose. However, anyone brave enough to say that out loud will earn a rather dark scowl and likely coldness alongside his usual professional demeanor. Through small reading glasses, his eyes are bear brown which at sometimes display certain human softness before it vanishes under the stern expression he’s fixed his face into naturally. It’s rumored that the old man’s face would crack if he ever considered smiling and for most Tempest residents and staff alike, his usual sober mood might very well prove that theory right!
Role:His main role is the Catherine Langford’s Physician and Coroner, but he also a wide knowledge and degrees in other related areas of studies.
Nationality: Scottish (father)/American (mother) He still retains his dual citizenship despite him living in Scotland.
Biography:Joseph M. Sterling was born in a Morgantown Hospital in West Virginia. His parents were a Scottish man by the name of Sean MacLonn and his recent beloved, a southern belle called Francine Sterling. They met in Scotland during his mother’s overseas studies and had planned to become engaged. However things happened and it wasn’t until she had gotten back to the States, she learned she was pregnant. Naturally Sean was notified soon after and it wasn’t until Joseph was five years old had he first met his father face to face. For most of Joseph’s childhood he spent his time between two nations. Both his parents were too stubborn to compromise, even for a child they loved, but it helped he had an IQ of 162 or the transition between the different educations would’ve been difficult.

Into his early adolescence, he had developed a fascination with fencing which later on turned into an obsession and aim for the Olympics one day. It when he turned sixteen when he had his accident which damaged his back and ended his dreams. During a summer job within his father’s shipyards, Joseph ended up slipping and falling from a high height. Luckily it only hindered the use of his legs for a few days, the nerves healed and unable to compete at the level they once had been at. During his recovery, Joseph’s interest had been sparked in natural science, mainly in medicine and critical care areas. After he could once again walk, the man had studied Life sciences gaining various degrees in the mentioned areas either as a means for his chosen career or in hopes it would later aid him in it. It seemed in repentance for the shipyard accident, his father-still an influence when he could manage it from their long distance relationship- had aided Joseph in paying for his school education as well as attending his final free days beginning college in a week.

It was at Morgantown’s very own West Virginia University- the Division of Occupational Therapy where he studied subjects from Calculus to Physics, even English, which led to a love of Eng. Literacy as well as classical music, for four years. Now 22 years old he took the MCAT and it was only on the second attempt that he passed with high scores, the first believed to an automatic failure as rarely anyone passed on the first try.

It was during his four years to complete his MD that he met Elaine, his future wife and around sweet hearted woman. It wasn’t planned but just little over two years he found his life further enriched when she accepted his proposal. Life was difficult, trying to be a husband and keep up his studies, and to be honest Joseph was surprised to learn that Elaine was pregnant just before he was due to start residency within one of the local hospitals.

His son Connor was born when Joseph was thirty-one. Being a father while obtaining his own goals wasn’t easy, juggling was a priority and often a heartbreaking task. It only got worse after Elaine’s death during a drunk driving incident several years later one snowy night. On impact, the man was killed immediately but Elaine was set in critical condition and rushed to nearest hospital: her husband’s. A long night of wait had come for the Sterlings, the son and his grandmother arrived after Joseph’s call, until the dreadful news was delivered round midnight. Elaine Sterling had passed away.

Three years were all that Joseph and his family received to heal before another grim event had occurred. Joseph’s mother was diagnosed with a degenerative brain disease, one that affected memories, and there was little known cure or prevention. Unable to leave his eleven year old alone, Joseph was left with little options as his father made the suggestion to move to Gasglow. Making the arrangements, his father smug and pleased, the Sterling family had moved into Scotland. For the following years Joseph still did his practice while Connor got to know his grandfather, both taking care of Francine who week by week started to lose more and more of her past. It wasn’t until a year ago that Joseph was approached for project of usual proportions.After taking time to consider it, Joseph agreed to become part of the project on two conditions: an untouchable fund was created for his family, filled by his pay and that he’s not assigned as head of his department. Despite his high credentials, Joseph didn’t like the stress or strain the position would have on him.

Personality:Here are some key traits which define Joseph’s personality over all, but they are subject to changes over time and IC development. It depends on the current pressure of how strictly he follows them and I might add more, for the time being these are the main ones.


Pride/Determination- Joseph takes pride in his effort and refuses to lessen it by any degree then his best. This can result in butting heads when someone attempts to accept something less from him or decide his work isn’t quite up to par with their standards, often resulting in scorn from the good doctor. However this won’t affect the treatment they will receive as he fully intends to give his best each and every time when it comes to ensuring a long, healthy life for his patients.


Blunt/Sarcastic- Joseph tends not to beat around the beat bush, though it doesn’t mean he’s completely heartless as he does end to word his sentences to a less matter-of-fact sense. He’s also known to be rather sarcastic when either stressed beyond his expectations or in a situation that doesn’t please him.

Trivia:
~Joseph has several burned CDs of his son’s talent as a Violinist, a departing gift, and one of their last family portrait before his wife died.

~Joseph has an high IQ, however this doesn’t mean he knows everything. Rather he focuses on key areas and tend to strive to do well in them, the main reason he was recruited was because of his pride and results in his field. Though it’s not unreasonable he can learn more through

~Joseph still has some skill in his fencing training, yet he doesn’t quite have the skill he did as a youth both in stamina or speed. Mainly due to the fact any extensive damage or wear on the spine, might end up paraylzing him permanently.