Executive Notes—Russ Holmes, Director of Business Development
During this extraordinary time, I reflect on 21 years at Mercy Ships—the owner and operator of the largest charitable hospital ships in the world—and IMO’s 2021 theme: Seafarers: At the Core of Shipping’s Future.
IMO’s focus on seafarers identifies this past year’s hardship on the multitude of individuals whose lives are deeply tied to a life at sea or providing shore-based services to a complex global industry: cruise lines, yachts, the energy sector, commercial shipping and fishing, destinations, and ports.
Each of us needs innovative healthcare measures to mitigate the current global pandemic.
My decision to join VIKAND is based as much in urgency as it is in philosophy. Simply stated, VIKAND is tirelessly researching, analyzing, and creating partnerships with companies and technologies that solve current issues while preparing for future global healthcare emergencies.
I look forward to working with each of our clients in supporting crew and guests with VIKAND’s Total Healthcare Solutions.
Featured Press Release
Intercruises & VIKAND Join Forces to Deliver Innovative COVID-19 Testing Solution at Cruise Terminals
Announced 13 April, VIKAND and Intercruises breakthrough COVID-19 Cruise Terminal Testing Solution is an end-to-end, non-invasive testing system for guests, crew and terminal staff, and has the ability to detect the virus in 45 seconds. Created by BioSafety Technologies and approved by the Conformitè Europëenne (CE), the breathalyzer technology—which is both scalable and portable—delivers results within 45 seconds.
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Featured Social Post
With vaccination efforts underway, it's time to start thinking about how you can best equip your fleet to start sailing again. VIKAND's new Director of Business Development, Russ Holmes, and Senior Director of Biomedical Operations, Robert Wentworth, discuss what cruise lines should focus on to ensure onboard medical facilities can support the new normal of cruising.
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New Hires
Svetlana Fratkin
Manager, Shipboard Medical Operations
Svetlana has extensive shipboard medical experience across many cruise lines, including Crystal Cruises and Royal Caribbean International. She has worked with VIKAND for the past three years onboard Viking Ocean Cruises as Lead Nurse and has supported medical operations on additional important projects.
Dr. Karl Bergsten
Manager, Shipboard Medical Operations
Dr. Bergsten is a senior VIKAND medical officer with experience in cruise lines, aviation, and remote site medicine. He is skilled in medical logistics, family medicine, travel medicine, and emergency medicine. He is a formidable healthcare services professional currently augmenting his experience with Masters of Maritime Health studies at the University of Cadiz.
From Our Industry Experts
Will COVID-19 Screening Still Have a Role in the Maritime Industries Post-Vaccination?
In response to COVID-19, screening solutions have become a beacon of hope to help vessel operators protect seafarers and restart in this “new normal” world. With most solutions producing results in just minutes, COVID-19 screening is considered a valuable asset to clearing healthy guests and crew and significantly reducing processing times at a cost-effective rate.
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