Quick Facts: Dr. Gibson is the Chief of Emergency Medicine at Royaume Northwestern Hospital, nearing retirement. His decision to delay his retirement sets off the central conflict between Briana and Jacob.
Who Is Dr. Gibson?
Dr. Gibson is the well-respected, long-serving Chief of Emergency Medicine at Royaume Northwestern Hospital. As he approaches retirement, he inadvertently ignites the central conflict of the story by delaying the vote for his replacement, hoping to give Dr. Jacob Maddox a chance to compete with Dr. Briana Ortiz. He represents the established authority within the hospital, embodying both the wisdom and the potential pitfalls of the "old guard."
Personality & Traits
Dr. Gibson's actions are driven by a desire for fairness, though his traditional mindset leads to unintended consequences. He believes that a strong competitor will validate Briana's eventual win, preventing any doubts about her qualifications. However, his approach, perceived by Briana as "boys'-club bullshit," reflects an outdated view of professional competition.
- Well-Intentioned: Dr. Gibson genuinely believes he is acting in Briana's best interest. He wants to ensure her victory is seen as legitimate, not just a default win.
- Traditional: His decision to delay the vote and bring in a male competitor for a highly qualified woman smacks of old-fashioned thinking. Briana sees his actions as perpetuating a system where women have to work harder to prove themselves.
- Respected and Likable: "Everyone did" like Dr. Gibson, as Briana observes. His warm demeanor makes his professional decisions feel like a personal betrayal to those negatively affected.
- Slightly Dismissive: When Briana expresses her frustration, Dr. Gibson tells her to "enjoy the calm before the storm," downplaying her years of merit. This highlights a disconnect between his perception and Briana's reality.
Character Journey
Dr. Gibson's character arc is subtle; he doesn't undergo significant personal change, but the reader's understanding of him deepens. Initially, he seems to be engaging in favoritism, unfairly promoting Jacob over Briana. This perception is a major source of the theme of Communication and Misunderstanding. However, a conversation at Mafi's with Jacob and Dr. Zander Reese reveals his true motivation: he wants Briana to "obliterate" a strong candidate, solidifying her position as a leader. This revelation reframes him from a biased superior to a well-meaning, if misguided, mentor.
Key Relationships
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Dr. Briana Ortiz: As Briana's superior, Dr. Gibson holds the key to her professional advancement. He respects her abilities but creates a significant obstacle by delaying the vote for his replacement. Their relationship is defined by this professional conflict, rooted in his poor communication of his intentions.
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Dr. Jacob Maddox: Dr. Gibson knows Jacob and his family and holds his professional qualifications in high regard. He sees Jacob as the perfect candidate to challenge Briana, inadvertently making Jacob's transition to the new hospital incredibly difficult. He is unaware of Jacob's social anxiety or his lack of interest in the chief position.
Defining Moments
- Delaying the Vote: Dr. Gibson informs Briana that he is delaying his retirement to "give everyone some time to get to know Dr. Maddox before we put forward a vote." This decision is the inciting incident for the workplace conflict and Briana's initial animosity toward Jacob.
- Revealing His Motive: At Mafi's, Dr. Gibson explains, "I don’t like the optics of her running unchallenged... I don’t want anyone whispering under their breath that she got it because there was no one else." This conversation clarifies his intentions, shifting his image from antagonist to a complex, well-meaning figure.
Essential Quotes
"Briana, I have to consider what’s best for the department. A broader pool to choose from is always preferable. There’s no glory in getting the job by default—"
This quote reveals Dr. Gibson's belief that competition is essential for validating success. He prioritizes the department's perception over Briana's immediate feelings, highlighting his traditional approach to leadership.
"Competition is healthy. If the job is yours, it’ll still be yours in three months."
Dr. Gibson's statement reflects his confidence in Briana's abilities, but also his underestimation of the emotional toll his decision will take. He assumes that merit alone will guarantee her success, overlooking the impact of workplace politics and personal relationships.
"I don’t like the optics of her running unchallenged. It takes validity out of the win and I don’t want anyone whispering under their breath that she got it because there was no one else. It’s not fair to her and it’s not a good way to enter a position of leadership."
This quote encapsulates Dr. Gibson's true motivation: to ensure Briana's success is unquestioned. He believes that facing a strong competitor will strengthen her position, even if it means creating unnecessary stress and conflict in the short term.