When she was first activated Gabrielle Watson was a typical example of a MkI EMH, a somewhat acerbic personality and a tendency to state the obvious. Though her database had been updated with a new type of memory module, the knowledge of a more modern MkIII EMH and her processors were also replaced with miniature Bio-neural gel packs for increased efficiency, her personality was still most definitely that of the old MkI.
The Field EMH was the brainstorm of Lieutenant Ariss Edon who was then serving on the USS Miranda. The acronym Ariss gave the unit, FEMH (Field EMH) raised the suggestion from the Mirandas CMO, Felicia Khatroweena, that the units physical parameters be altered to a female form and personality. (FEM-H - Female) This would also serve to distinguish the unit from the ships backup EMH. As a result of this suggestion, the physical parameters and personality matrix were altered to reflect a female personality and appearance.
After almost two years of routine duties and the odd occasion where her mobile holo form was advantageous, Watson was undergoing a routine diagnostic when the Miranda was attacked. At that time an engineer, Lieutenant Jemel Aria, was connected to the holo-emitter by means of a dataport she had implanted. When the holo emitter was critically damaged Watson downloaded her program to the only available place where she could save herself. Aria's mind.
The resulting personality mix up took a team of Bajoran neurologists, Vulcan and Betazoid telepaths and Lieutenant Ariss almost a year to resolve on Bajor, during which time Lieutenant Jemel and Doctor Watson very nearly merged into one new personality. When Ariss and the team finally managed to extract Watson from the mind of his girlfriend her matrix had ceased to be a mere collection of heuristic algorithms and data packets and had instead formed a new self aware consciousness.
After being successfully returned to her holo-emitter Starfleet Medical was prepared to call off the project and shelve the program, however Gabrielle petitioned for sentient rights as she claimed she was now more than her original program, and after six months of tests and debates it was decided that her consciousness is more than a holo matrix, on a conscious level she is very much alive, and therefore entitled to the same rights as any sentient being in the Federation. Her status has been legally changed from hologram to that of a sentient self aware being. Watson chose to return to Starfleet to continue her career as a Doctor for now as it offers her access to facilities and equipment she might otherwise not have, as well as a measure of privacy from curiosity seekers, and a few collectors.
Once her status was confirmed Gabrielle requested and received assignment back to Starfleet and was transferred to the USS Aesculapius, a medical vessel. Her natural medical experience, much greater than the average physician made this a logical and preferable assignment for her, it was also one where she could avail herself of regular counselling as she, understandably, has some issues regarding her new individuality and personality. Regular counselling was the one stipulation placed upon her before she was returned to duty with the rank of Ensign.
During her time on the Aesculapius Gabrielle Spent much of her first year adapting and learning the things that most officers are taught at the Academy. While her medical knowledge might be exemplary, there are many other lessons that she is catching up on, philosophy being one of a few she is struggling with. She has also found time (at her counselors request) to take up some hobbies, so she chose art and botany as the idea of creating something unique intrigued her. Though she can perform complex medical procedures and improvise if needed, a creative artistic imagination is somewhat lacking, but she's learning.
After serving on the Aescupalius for nearly two years Gabrielle decided to request a transfer. The CMO of the Aesculapius was sorry to see her go as she felt Gabrielle was just, finally, settling into life aboard. However Watson wanted a posting with more opportunities for exploration and research as she has inherited a healthy curiosity from Aria that she has no problem with at all.
One of the last things the CMO of the Aesculapius did though was to push through Gabrielle's promotion to Lieutenant (J.G.).
The MKI EMH was initially removed from service several years ago due to perceived flaws in its personality. It was frequently seen as unapproachable, harsh, sometimes rude, and often very sarcastic. The MkI series has seen some recent use however as an emergency backup for main sickbays. As it utilises less power and processing capability than more modern EMH's it was chosen either as an emergency backup or for day to day crew support.
With her experiences and shared memories though from her time merged with Aria, Gabrielle had developed her own personality as you would expect. She is less acerbic and her sense of humour is developing. Interpersonal skills though are something that she is still developing, so at times she can seem abrupt and at other times withdrawn. Regular counselling is something that is helping though and she is slowly learning.
After being separated from Aria, Gabrielle has also come to realize that she misses an organic body. While an organic body has flaws and will eventually die, she is finding that the holo emitter has its own flaws and limitations. Though she can use the holodeck to recreate almost anything she wishes to explore or experience, she has begun to explore options for legally transferring herself back into a female humanoid form (Preferably Bajoran or Terran). At present though with the Federations current stance on genetic manipulation, ethical rights and cloning laws means that she is waiting patiently for a very convoluted legal debate to conclude. Patience though is one thing she has in abundance.
At present the holo-emitter Gabrielle uses is somewhat more advanced than the first design that was conceived. Initially her power supply was capable of full active autonomy for only three to four days before recharging was required. Subsequent changes to the prototype by a team of SCE engineers has increased that to one week, though strangely she has found that even though she lacks a physical form she does require a period of downtime each day to maintain her performance. With a regular six to eight hour period of downtime her emitter can last for nearly ten days without recharge. Her mobile holo-emitter is a silvery ovoid approximately seven inches at its widest, and four at its narrowest, approximately nine inches tall. It has anti-gravs fitted and actually floats inside her holographic body while active. The emitter has a standard issue comm badge fitted internally and this provides standard communication and translation facilities. Phaser or disruptor strikes will disrupt the holo-matrix and if the unit is struck directly once Gabrielle's hologram has been disrupted then it will quickly shut down.
As you would expect, Gabrielle has full autonomous control over her emitter and its matrix, so she can deactivate herself if desired and set a self-activation. She also has limited capability to modify her own program, though this is something she chooses not to do, not wishing to disrupt her own personality. The only changes she makes at present are medical updates sent to her by Starfleet Medical.