The Lady Jaydin Aleya of Bajor grew up during the Cardassian Occupation.  Before the Cardassian invasion, her family was noble and very wealthy, and they used a large amount of their money to be relocated to a peaceful farming camp in the northeast province.  Both the initial commanding Cardassian of the camp and his successor were much more concerned with, respectively, stellar cartography and mistresses.  Therefore, as long as all food quotas were met, the Bajoran workers were free to live as they wanted without persecution.

            Jaydin was born in 2348 and grew up tending lambs and training herding dogs (okay, not technically sheep and dogs but close enough).  She always envisioned her future as taking over as head shepherdess but everything changed the night of her sixteenth birthday.  A power-hungry Cardassian Gul misinterpreted a communication and became convinced that rebel forces were hiding at the farming camp.  He invaded, killing indiscriminately.

            With the doctor dead and her youngest brother severely injured, Jaydin took it upon herself to treat him.  Unfortunately, without any medical knowledge, he died and she vowed to never let anyone die because of her lack of education again.  Two years later, after careful planning and bribing, she escaped Bajor on a transport ship to join Starfleet Medical.  While not at the top of her class (mainly due to her lack of resources and background), she distinguished herself with determination and tenacity.

            Her first assignment was aboard the USS Excalibur where CMO Horwitz became her mentor.  She received a commendation for developing a vaccine for Andorian Leptospirosis that had infected the crew and was resistant to most antibiotics.  When the CMO position became available on the USS Maximillian, she jumped at the chance to join the prestigious ship and crew.