Stardoc

Stardoc, S.L. Viehl, Roc Books, 2000

Cherijo Grey Veil is a brilliant Earth doctor who, to escape a domineering father, accepts a position at the FreeClinic on the planet Kevarzangia Two, about as far away as one can get. It's inhabited by over 200 species who live in separate colonies, and only a tiny fraction of them are humanoid.

From the moment she arrives, she has to prove herself with each and every patient. She experiences the egos and varying levels of competence among the staff inherent in any hospital. The equipment is in desperate need of replacement because the home worlds of the planet's inhabitants are not very sympathetic.

Cherijo meets, and falls for, a Jorenian, a tall blue humanoid, named Kao Jorin. They bond (get married) and she becomes an official part of the Clan.

One day, a person comes to the Clinic with symptoms resembling tuberculosis. According to their medical tests, there's no germ involved, no virus, nothing. Cherijo wants to declare a quarantine, but Dr. Mayer, the Chief of Staff, says no without something more specific to go on. A quarantine is declared after it becomes a full-scale epidemic, with hundreds dying of this disease that isn't really a disease, and Cherijo is the only one on staff not affected. Kao Jorin, Cherijo's mate, is among the dead.

Her father, who hasn't stopped trying to bring her back to Earth, puts enough pressure on the League of Worlds to have Cherijo relieved of her position at the FreeClinic and returned to Earth, sedated and restrained if necessary. Just before that is to happen, she is rescued by other members of Kao's Clan and taken aboard their ship. The League wants her back real bad, and the Jorenians are just as determined to not give her back.

This one is really good. The best part of this novel is that the aliens are really alien, and not just humanoids with strange skin coloring. It certainly feels like a worthy successor to James White's Sector General series. There's a good story here, too. It's worth reading.</p>