Although every human member of the Institute is a doctor of some sort, Dean Volkert is the closest they have to a dedicated physician and medical care specialist.[2] In the late 2280s, he is responsible for maintaining medical records and ensuring every member of the Institute remains healthy to continue advancing the cause of science and technological progression.[3] However, even with the Institute's highly advanced technology, Volkert has been unable to treat more difficult and complex afflictions such as cancer.[4]
In his position as the Institute's physician, in addition to a gruff bedside manner,[5] Volkert has a particularly low opinion of wasteland medicine, considering the Commonwealth's "doctors" to be little more than butchers.[6] On the other hand, placing his patients' well-being as a priority has put him in a strenuous relationship with the rest of the BioScience division, as he spends most of his time (up to sixteen hours a day) practicing medicine and administering to the visitors of his clinic in the concourse at the expense of other tasks that his colleagues assign to him.[7][8][9]
Even with his lackadaisical approach to the work his colleagues assign to him, Doctor Volkert retains unrestricted access to the Hydroponics lab run by the BioScience division (typically only going there for medicinal research purposes) where he will simply take any flora samples he needs from the plantations, much to Isaac Karlin's annoyance.[10] His own medical experiments typically consist of testing new compounds on the facility's laborer staff (particularly the Generation 3 synth members); like most within the Institute, Volkert does not consider a synth to be the same as a human, or even a person, often treating his synth test subjects with clinical detachment and expecting them to record any symptoms they experience in full detail regardless of whether it causes them pain.[11]
Above his tenuous relationship with his colleagues, perhaps the most difficult relationship Doctor Volkert has is with his son, Brendan Volkert. Unlike his father, who can spend endless tiring days delving into theoretical bioscience (antigens and immunogens, thoretical gene and virotherapy treatments, producing oncolytic viruses through genetic modification), Brendan struggles with an understanding of science and complex theoretical topics. In an effort to impress his father, the young Volkert often feigns interest in his biological pursuits. Aware of this, Dean nevertheless accepts it hoping that he and his son can form a bond that will lead to Brendan following in his footsteps in service to the Institute.[12][13][14] The elder Volkert also hopes to kindle his son's interest in the works of the BioScience division so as to stop Brendan from distracting other Institute members from their duties; by 2287, he has become frustrated with fielding complaints from Evan Watson in Advanced Systems regarding Brendan's attempts to cozy up to Rosalind Orman, for whom his son has a crush.[15]
Institutionalized: Volkert can be encountered performing tests on a synth worker in his clinic in the concourse when first entering the Institute. After first speaking to him, he will become available as a doctor with his services free of charge, though only usable when and if the player character is wounded or irradiated.
Pinned: Volkert will be seen giving a medical examination to Father to treat his terminal cancer; Father will cut the appointment short to talk to the Sole Survivor.
Nuclear Family: Volkert will be present at Father's deathbed, asking the Sole Survivor to see him before he passes, and then directing them to Allie Filmore after Father's death.
PC The healing service he provides does not cure addictions.[verified]
PC Like every other physician, he provides healing up to one's maximum Hit Points minus one point.[verified]
PCPlaystation 4Xbox One After the quest A House Divided, he will no longer offer his services and ignore the player character when interacting with him. To fix this, he must be forced into combat, which will refresh his AI. This bug also causes him to be stuck on his terminal and interacting with the terminal won't force him off it.[verified]
↑The Sole Survivor: "You're the doctor here?" Dean: "Everyone's a doctor here. But if you mean physician, then yes, I'm about as close as we've got to one." (Dean Volkert's dialogue)
↑Dean: "Once you've settled in, I'll want do a physical and get a file going on you. No hurry, though." (Dean Volkert's dialogue)
↑Clayton Holdren: "I don't know that this is the time..." Father: "Doctor Holdren, it is time. Please. As I'm sure several of you are already aware, I have been under Doctor Volkert's care for some time. I'm sorry, this is... difficult for me. Our best efforts have failed. Every experimental treatment we could devise has been unsuccessful. I'm... I'm sorry to say I am dying." The Sole Survivor: "You're dying?" Father: "I'm afraid so. A very aggressive form of cancer. Believe me when I say we've done everything we can. We can talk more later. Right now, the future of the Institute is at stake." (Nate's/Nora's, Clayton Holdrn's and Shaun's dialogue)
↑All responses to requests for healing have the script note "A doctor examining a patient, beside manner is a bit gruff."
↑Dean: "There. Good thing you didn't turn to one of those Commonwealth butchers for medical care." (Dean Volkert's dialogue)
↑Institute scientist: "Doctor Volkert, have you had a chance to fill that prescription I requested?" Dean: "Not yet." Institute scientist: "Have you been able to at least test the samples I gave you?" Dean: "No. Look I've been very busy. I'll get to it as soon as I can." Institute scientist: "Well it shouldn't take long. It's not like I'm asking you to cure cancer." Dean: "Wouldn't that be nice." (Institute scientist's and Dean Volkert's dialogue)
↑Clayton: "Hi there, Dean. How's it going?" Dean: "Well enough, I suppose. What's on your mind?" Clayton: "You're past deadline on the report for batch three-seven-six-one. What's the hold-up?" Dean: "I spent a few days restocking the meds. I have to do that from scratch, you know. It's time-consuming." Clayton: "Well, I'm sure you'll do your best to get back on schedule." Note: This is one of the two randomly-used sets of lines in the Hydroponics2 dialogue scene. (Clayton Holdren's and Dean Volkert's dialogue)
↑Clayton: "How are things with you, Dean?" Dean: "Busy, but nothing I can't handle. What do you want? " Clayton: "I was expecting the growth rate metrics yesterday. Have you written that up yet?" Dean: "I sent you a message about this. I spent sixteen hours seeing patients this week." Clayton: "I see. Well, our schedule is important so, I trust you'll make it a priority." Note: This is the other randomly-used set of lines in the Hydroponics2 dialogue scene. (Clayton Holdren's and Dean Volkert's dialogue)
↑Isaac: "One of the ginger plants is gone. Was this another of your medical emergencies?" Dean: "Doctor Li's been having trouble sleeping, so I used it to make a remedy." Isaac Karlin: "You had no right!" Dean: "Save it, Isaac. You know I have full access to the garden when it comes to medicinal matters." Note: This is one of the two sets of randomized lines for the Hydroponics3 dialogue scene. (Isaac Karlin's and Dean Volkert's dialogue)
↑Dean: "No visible reaction to the K-14 compound. We'll start the next trial, then.The dosage will be much larger this time, and the side effects will likely be more pronounced." Synth: "Will there be any pain?" Dean: "I honestly don't know. I suppose it's your job to find out. Now hold still.There, all done.You can return to your duties, and remember to record every symptom you experience in detail." Synth: "I hope I'll prove a useful test subject for you, doctor." Dean: "Mm hm." (Synth worker's and Dean Volkert's dialogue)
↑Brendan: "How was your day?" Dean: "Complicated...and long." Brendan: "What did you work on?" Dean: "Extremely theoretical bioscience, I'd bore you." Brendan: "No, I'm really interested in this stuff. Try me." Dean: "Just a lot of headaches over antigens and immunogens." Brendan: "Yeah, that's...my...favorite subject." Dean Volkert: "I'm glad you're finally taking an interest in science, son. Keep up the good work." Note: This is one of three dialogue sets in the InstituteSS6 dialogue scene. (Brendan Volkert's and Dean Volkert's dialogue)
↑Brendan: "How was your day?" Dean: "Complicated...and long. " Brendan: "What did you work on?" Dean: "Extremely theoretical bioscience, I'd bore you." Brendan: "No, I'm really interested in this stuff. Try me." Dean: "Just a little theoretical gene and virotherapy in relation to hypothetical biotechnological treatments." Brendan: "Yeah, that's...my...favorite subject." Dean Volkert: "I'm glad you're finally taking an interest in science, son. Keep up the good work." Note: This is one of three dialogue sets in the InstituteSS6 dialogue scene. (Brendan Volkert's and Dean Volkert's dialogue)
↑Brendan: "How was your day?" Dean: "Complicated...and long." Brendan: "What did you work on?" Dean: "Extremely theoretical bioscience, I'd bore you." Brendan: "No, I'm really interested in this stuff. Try me." Dean: "Just examining fauna and it's potential to produce oncolytic viruses through genetic modification." Brendan: "Yeah, that's...my...favorite subject." Dean: "I'm glad you're finally taking an interest in science, son. Keep up the good work." Note: This is one of three dialogue sets in the InstituteSS6 dialogue scene. (Brendan Volkert's and Dean Volkert's dialogue)
↑Dean Volkert: "Brendan, were you hanging around Advance Systems today?" Brendan Volkert: "Yeah...but only for like five minutes...why? Wait, let me guess, Doctor Watson complained about me again." Dean Volkert: "Yes, exactly. Doctor Watson said you were disturbing members of his lab today and he had to ask you to leave." Brendan: "I wasn't disturbing anyone. I said hello to Rosalind and he kicked me out for no reason. The guy hates me." Dean: "He doesn't hate you. He just hates that you distract people while they have important work to do.Brendan, just stop going over there and this won't be a problem anymore." Brendan: "I'm not making any promises." (Brendan Volkert's and Dean Volkert's dialogue)
The healing service he provides does not cure addictions.[verified]
