Each quarter, the “VIKANDER Profile” highlights an extraordinary team member. Discover our collective depth of knowledge and get to know some of the people who make our mission possible.

In this edition of Pulse, meet Bec Ware, Vice President of Medical Operations.

Tell us about your role at VIKAND?

As Vice President of Medical Operations, I manage medical operations for roughly 80 cruise and fishing vessels. I also help oversee Cruise Medical Services, which includes pre- and post-cruise support through PEMEs, guest medicalscreenings and case management.

How long have you been in the maritime sector?

I’ve been in the maritime industry for 12 years. Prior to joining VIKAND in 2019, I worked as a Senior Nurse onboard the Diamond Princess with Princess Cruises before helping with clinical staffing and medical operations for the newly formed Holland America Group.

What has been the highlight of your career?

It’s hard to ignore the strength and resilience shown by maritime workers, both onboard and ashore, during the pandemic. Our teams worked day and night under extreme pressure to ensure guest and crew safety, while also pushing for the resumption of regular cruising.

What has been the biggest advancement in maritime healthcare?

To me, it’s been the growing focus on crew wellness, and the move towards a more long-term, proactive approach to healthcare.

Who has made the biggest impact on what you do?

The extremely dedicated medical professionals I’ve worked with in my career, both shipboard and shoreside. Onboard medical teams often work long hours to support crew and passenger health, and I can only hope to have made a small impact by assisting them in the day-to-day management of our medical centers.

What is the biggest challenge in your role?

No two days are the same, so it’s critical to stay adaptable and prepared to tackle anything. This means being able to calmly evaluate an issue, find a resolution and support the team. 

How important is the work we do at VIKAND?

Our team has a huge amount of maritime medical knowledge – greater than most companies could achieve independently. Working with VIKAND ensures each partner can tap into this wealth of knowledge in their efforts to provide onboard medical services.

What advice would you give to someone considering a maritime career?

Don’t hesitate! It may just be your greatest adventure. 

What is special about where you live?

I live in Australia, specifically in regional Victoria about an hour outside Melbourne. It’s a smaller town with a lot of green space and a wonderful community spirit.

What do you do in your leisure time?

My daughter and I are always out in the countryside. I enjoy long distance road running and have completed many marathons, but I recently started trail running and just completed my first half-marathon on trails. I’m also a strong advocate for the local community and try to remain involved in various ways.

How do we ensure that all seafarers have equal access to quality healthcare?

Crew members join vessels from all over the world, and healthcare standards at home can vary significantly. To ensure equal access to quality healthcare onboard, medical teams need to be thoroughly vetted and credentialed, with minimum standards for training and education, plus ongoing training to maintain best practices. Thanks to technological advancements, we can provide crew members with specialized care all over the world, as well as capture data that helps us to proactively address any gaps in care.