Star Trek’s 5 Original Series Enterprise Doctors Explained

Image credit: Paramount+ Published Aug 30, 2026, 9:00 AM EDT John Orquiola is a New & Classic TV Editor, Senior Writer, and Interviewer with a special focus on Star Trek. John has over 5,000 published articles at SR, and he has interviewed the biggest names in Star Trek on the red carpet and VIP events, among other beloved shows, movies, and franchises. Sign in to your ScreenRant account Star Trek's USS Enterprise NCC-1701 was in service for 40 years, with five different doctors serving as Chief Medical Officer. Launched in 2245 under Captain Robert April (Adrian Holmes), the Starship Enterprise passed between Captain Christopher Pike (Jeffrey Hunter/Anson Mount) and Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner/Paul Wesley). Chief Medical Officer is one of the most vital positions on a starship. Typically ranked Commander, the CMO is the head physician and surgeon responsible for the health of the USS Enterprise's crew, which is 203 souls on Captain Pike's ship and doubles to 430 people serving under Kirk. The Chief Medical Officer also has the authority to relieve a starship captain of command if deemed medically unfit. From the Starship Enterprise's first five-year mission beginning in 2245 to 2285 when Admiral Kirk destroyed it in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, Chief Medical Officer was a coveted and elite position. Interestingly, the CMOs of the USS Enterprise tended to be "old country doctors," and only one woman served as the senior doctor of the United Federation of Planets' flagship. Dr. Phil Boyce Played by John Hoyt in Star Trek: The Original Series and Brian Markinson in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Image credit: Paramount+ Dr. Phil Boyce was the USS Enterprise's Chief Medical Officer in Star Trek's first pilot episode, "The Cage," which was rejected by NBC in 1965. Boyce was jettisoned, along with every character in "The Cage" except Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy), by NBC's order. Boyce's character was reworked by Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, who eventually cast DeForest Kelly as Dr. Leonard McCoy. Star Trek: The Original Series season 1's two-parter, "The Menagerie," canonically set "The Cage" in 2254, about a dozen years before Captain Kirk's Enterprise. Airing "The Cage" as part of "The Menagerie" established Captain Pike as Kirk's predecessor and Boyce as McCoy's predecessor. Dr. Boyce returned in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 4, which revealed that Phil was only interim Chief Medical Officer until Dr. Joseph M'Benga (Babs Olusanmokun) became available. Boyce transferred to the USS Sunita, but M'Benga arranged for Phil to return to the Enterprise. Boyce is beta shift CMO but is in line to replace M'Benga, who is considering leaving Starfleet. Dr. Joseph M’Benga Played by Babs Olusanmokun in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and Booker Bradshaw in Star Trek: The Original Series In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Dr. Joseph M'Benga is the Chief Medical Officer of the USS Enterprise. A close friend of Captain Pike, M'Benga came aboard the Enterprise in 2259. In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 4, M'Benga plans to leave Starfleet, and he may not remain CMO by the time Strange New Worlds ends in season 5. ​​​​​​​M'Benga was known as "The Ghost," a Starfleet black ops assassin. Dr. M'Benga has a mysterious past, and his healing skills are balanced with his other talent as a killer. During the Klingon War of 2256-2257, M'Benga was known as "The Ghost," a Starfleet black ops assassin who racked up numerous KIingon kills. M'Benga also became close with Nurse Christine Chapel (Jess Bush) during the war, and she joined him on the Enterprise. Dr. M'Benga makes two appearances in Star Trek: The Original Series, where he's back aboard the Starship Enterprise. If Joseph does leave Starfleet during Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, he does return to Starfleet when Kirk is Captain. Dr. Mark Piper Played by Paul Fix in Star Trek: The Original Series Dr. Mark Piper is the USS Enterprise Chief Medical Officer about whom the least is known. Dr. Piper's lone appearance is in Star Trek: The Original Series' second pilot episode, "Where No Man Has Gone Before." Mark's main function is to treat Lieutenant Gary Mitchell (Gary Lockwood), who quickly evolves into a dangerous psychic being. It remains to be seen if Star Trek: Strange New Worlds will also reintroduce Dr. Mark Piper or explain his brief presence on Captain Kirk's Enterprise before he's permanently replaced by Dr. Leonard McCoy. Dr. Leonard McCoy Played by DeForest Kelley in Star Trek: The Original Series Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy is the USS Enterprise's Chief Medical Officer in Star Trek: The Original Series. Bones later serves as CMO in the first six Star Trek movies, and he continues his role after the original Enterprise is replaced by the USS Enterprise-A in Star Trek V: The Final Frontier and Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. Karl Urban played Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy in the alternate Kelvin Timeline of J.J. Abrams' Star Trek movies. Even though a pair of doctors who could be considered 'proto-McCoys' preceded him, Bones is the fundamental Star Trek doctor. Captain Kirk's CMO and close friend was an "old country doctor" with a gruff bedside manner who wore his heart on his sleeve. Bones was the passionate side of Star Trek's core triumvirate, arguing against Mr. Spock's (Leonard Nimoy) logic before Captain Kirk made the final decision. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds cast Thomas Jane as Dr. Leonard McCoy. Jane will debut as Bones in the series finale of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, which ends in season 5, and would presumably continue playing Dr. McCoy if the proposed spinoff about Kirk's Enterprise, Star Trek: Year One, happens. Dr. Christine Chapel Played by Jess Bush in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and Majel Barrett Roddenberry in Star Trek: The Original Series Nurse Christine Chapel became Dr. Christine Chapel in Star Trek: The Motion Picture. Chapel was the assigned Chief Medical Officer of the USS Enterprise under Captain Will Decker (Stephen Collins). When Admiral Kirk took command of the Enterprise, however, he pulled Leonard McCoy out of retirement and reinstalled Bones as CMO. Stardate 47988.1 · Crew Assessment The Final FrontierTrivia Challenge 🚀ShipsEnterprise! ⭐CrewMake it so ☠EnemiesResistance is… ⚡TechWarp speed! 📖LoreLive long… ENGAGE → 01 The USS Enterprise is the most iconic starship in science fiction. What is the registry number of Captain Kirk’s original Enterprise from The Original Series? ANCC-1701-D BNX-01 CNCC-1701 DNCC-74656 ✓ Correct! NCC-1701 is the registry of Kirk’s original Constitution-class Enterprise. The “-D” suffix belongs to Picard’s Galaxy-class ship, NX-01 is Archer’s Enterprise, and NCC-74656 is Voyager. ✗ Red alert! The answer is NCC-1701. Kirk’s original Constitution-class Enterprise carried this now-legendary registry. NCC-1701-D is Picard’s Enterprise from TNG, NX-01 is Captain Archer’s, and NCC-74656 belongs to Voyager. NEXT → 02 Kirk’s most trusted officer is a half-human, half-Vulcan science officer famous for his logic and iconic salute. Who is this legendary character? AData BSpock CTuvok DSarek ✓ Correct! Mr. Spock, played by Leonard Nimoy, is the half-Vulcan science officer whose “Live long and prosper” salute became a cultural icon. His struggle between logic and emotion defines the heart of the Original Series. ✗ Red alert! The answer is Spock. Data is an android from TNG, Tuvok is Voyager’s Vulcan tactical officer, and Sarek is Spock’s Vulcan father. Only Spock is the half-human, half-Vulcan first officer of Kirk’s Enterprise. NEXT → 03 Starfleet’s most important regulation forbids interference with the natural development of alien civilizations. What is this guiding principle called? AThe Temporal Accord BGeneral Order One CThe Omega Directive DThe Prime Directive ✓ Correct! The Prime Directive (also known as General Order 1) is Starfleet’s most sacred law. It prohibits interfering with less-developed civilizations — though Kirk, Picard, and Janeway have all famously bent or broken it when lives were at stake. ✗ Red alert! The answer is the Prime Directive. While “General Order One” is technically another name for it, the Prime Directive is the universally known term. The Omega Directive and Temporal Accord are separate, more specialized Starfleet protocols. NEXT → 04 “Resistance is futile.” This chilling declaration belongs to a cybernetic collective that assimilates entire civilizations into its hive mind. What is this fearsome species called? AThe Borg BThe Dominion CThe Romulans DSpecies 8472 ✓ Correct! The Borg are Star Trek’s most terrifying villains — a hive-mind collective that forcibly assimilates species and technology. Captain Picard was famously assimilated and transformed into Locutus in the landmark TNG episode “The Best of Both Worlds.” ✗ Red alert! The answer is the Borg. The Dominion is the Gamma Quadrant empire from DS9, the Romulans are a rival empire, and Species 8472 is actually one of the few species that the Borg themselves fear. Only the Borg declare “Resistance is futile.” NEXT → 05 Captain Jean-Luc Picard commands the Enterprise-D in The Next Generation and later received his own series, Star Trek: Picard. Which acclaimed actor portrays him? AWilliam Shatner BAvery Brooks CPatrick Stewart DScott Bakula ✓ Correct! Sir Patrick Stewart brought gravitas, Shakespeare, and Earl Grey tea to the captain’s chair for seven seasons of TNG, four films, and three seasons of Star Trek: Picard. His “Make it so” is one of TV’s most iconic catchphrases. ✗ Red alert! The answer is Patrick Stewart. William Shatner plays Captain Kirk, Avery Brooks is Captain Sisko on Deep Space Nine, and Scott Bakula captains the NX-01 Enterprise. Only Sir Patrick Stewart portrays the legendary Jean-Luc Picard. NEXT → 06 Starfleet vessels travel faster than light by bending space around them using a matter-antimatter reaction. What is this propulsion system called? ATranswarp Drive BWarp Drive CSlipstream Drive DSpore Drive ✓ Correct! Warp Drive is the standard faster-than-light propulsion in Star Trek, powered by dilithium-regulated matter-antimatter reactions. Zefram Cochrane invented it in 2063, which led to humanity’s first contact with the Vulcans. ✗ Red alert! The answer is Warp Drive. Transwarp is an advanced Borg technology, Slipstream is an experimental quantum drive, and the Spore Drive uses mycelial network navigation (from Discovery). Standard Starfleet vessels use Warp Drive. NEXT → 07 At Starfleet Academy, cadets face a notorious no-win scenario designed to test their character under impossible circumstances. James Kirk is the only cadet who ever beat it — by cheating. What is this test called? AThe Prometheus Trial BThe Omega Simulation CThe Corbomite Maneuver DThe Kobayashi Maru ✓ Correct! The Kobayashi Maru is an unwinnable rescue simulation that tests how cadets handle certain death. Kirk reprogrammed it so he could win — earning a commendation for original thinking. It was memorably featured in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. ✗ Red alert! The answer is the Kobayashi Maru. The Corbomite Maneuver is a TOS episode, not an Academy test. The Kobayashi Maru is the famous no-win scenario that Kirk defeated by reprogramming the simulation — because he doesn’t believe in the no-win scenario. NEXT → 08 In the widely regarded greatest Star Trek film, a genetically enhanced superhuman from Earth’s past seeks revenge against Captain Kirk. “KHAAAAN!” Who is this iconic villain? AKhan Noonien Singh BGeneral Chang CQ DGul Dukat ✓ Correct! Khan Noonien Singh, played by Ricardo Montalbán, is Star Trek’s greatest villain. First appearing in the TOS episode “Space Seed,” he returned in The Wrath of Khan (1982) for a devastating revenge plot that cost Spock his life. ✗ Red alert! The answer is Khan Noonien Singh. General Chang is a Klingon from Star Trek VI, Q is TNG’s omnipotent trickster, and Gul Dukat is DS9’s Cardassian antagonist. Only Khan inspired Kirk’s legendary scream across the cosmos. REVEAL MY SCORE → Mission Complete Your Starfleet Record / 8 Are you an Admiral — or still a cadet on deck-scrubbing duty? ↻ RE-ENGAGE In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Nurse Chapel serves on the USS Enterprise under a temporary duty assignment, which she makes permanent in season 4, episode 6, "Off-Hour." After Dr. M'Benga leaves the Enterprise, Christine remains as Dr. McCoy's nurse. Despite her long-awaited promotion to doctor and CMO, Chapel is best known as the definitive nurse in Star Trek. Star Trek: The Original Series, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, and the Star Trek movies are streaming on Paramount+. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds 9/10 Release Date 2022 - 2027-00-00 Network Paramount+ A spin-off of Star Trek: Discovery, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is a television series that takes place before the events of the original series and follows Captain Christopher Pike as he mans the helm of the U.S.S. Enterprise. The show focuses on this previous crew of the Enterprise as they explore the galaxy with returning characters from Discovery. Cast Anson Mount, Ethan Peck, Jess Bush, Christina Chong, Celia Rose Gooding, Adrian Holmes, Andrew Jackson, Clint Howard, Mia Kirshner, Robert Wisdom, Russell Yuen, Samantha Smith, Husein Madhavji, Christopher Wyllie, Laura Wilson, Melissa Navia, Noel Wells, Tiffany Martin, Torri Webster, Luke Marty, Myles Dobson, Jesse James Keitel, Daniel Gravelle, Carla Bennett, Robin Schisler, Saida Ali Showrunner Henry Alonso Myers, Akiva Goldsman Writers Onitra Johnson Franchise(s) Star Trek Creator(s) Akiva Goldsman, Alex Kurtzman, Jenny Lumet Executive Producer(s) Alex Kurtzman, Aaron Baiers, Akiva Goldsman, Henry Alonso Myers, Rod Roddenberry, Trevor Roth, Frank Siracusa, John Weber, Heather Kadin, Jenny Lumet Seasons 4 Streaming Service(s) Paramount Plus Where To Watch Paramount Plus Star Trek: The Original Series 8/10 Release Date 1966 - 1969-00-00 Network NBC Star Trek follows the U.S.S. Enterprise on its five-year mission to explore the galaxy, led by Captain James T. Kirk and First Officer Mr. Spock. The crew confronts a variety of challenges, including Klingons, Romulans, and genetic supermen, as they search for new life and civilizations. Cast William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, George Takei, Nichelle Nichols, Frank da Vinci, Walter Koenig, Eddie Paskey, Roger Holloway, Perry Lopez, Marianna Hill, Ricardo Montalban, Jeffrey Hunter, Felix Silla, Joseph Mell, James Drake, Susan Oliver, Clint Howard, Arlene Martel, Keye Luke, Lee Meriwether, Reggie Nalder, John Colicos, Julie Newmar, Jason Evers, Roy Jenson, Harry Basch Showrunner Gene Roddenberry Writers D.C. Fontana, Jerome Bixby, Arthur Heinemann, David Gerrold, Jerry Sohl, Oliver Crawford, Robert Bloch, David P. Harmon, Don Ingalls, Paul Schneider, Shimon Wincelberg, Steven W. Carabatsos, Theodore Sturgeon, Jean Lisette Aroeste, Art Wallace, Adrian Spies, Barry Trivers, Don Mankiewicz, Edward J. Lakso, Fredric Brown, George Clayton Johnson, George F. Slavin, Gilbert Ralston, Harlan Ellison Franchise(s) Star Trek Creator(s) Gene Roddenberry Executive Producer(s) Gene Roddenberry Seasons 3 Streaming Service(s) Paramount Plus Where To Watch Paramount Plus