VIKAND Fosters a Culture of Care for the Maritime Industry
Promotions of Holly Love, Bec Ware and Amy White
25 October 2021, Fort Lauderdale, Florida USA: To manage the healthcare challenges of the maritime industry during the era of COVID-19, Vikand Medical Solutions, LLC—the global maritime medical operations and public health provider—continues to expand and adapt its organizational structure and philosophy of corporate responsibility. Both are critical to seafarer welfare.
“Over the past year and a half, as an industry, we have all borne witness to the heroic efforts of every seafarer, onshore professional, company, maritime organization, and regulatory body to keep commerce buoyant and responsive to our constituents while maintaining a focus of safety and care,” says Peter Hult, Vikand CEO. “Our industry responsiveness is to be applauded and sets the mandate for establishing seafarer sustainability for the future. Join me in congratulating my Vikand teammates and all maritime professionals around the world for their tireless work meeting unheralded challenges and a considerable amount of pressure.”
Vikand believes the future of maritime health care is anchored by access to good health care onboard as defined by the Maritime Labour Convention, healthcare support of crew family members through insurance and telemedicine, best mental health practices, diversity, inclusion, access to communication, and safe financial tools to manage and receive their wages. Vikand envisions its role as providing best practices, a highly skilled team, products that serve as solutions and as a collaborative and informative collaborator to all its maritime partners.
Vikand’s recent organizational changes supporting this vision include the appointment of Holly Love to Vice President Medical Operations of Vikand’s Commercial Shipping and Yacht Practice; and, the promotions of Bec Ware to Vice President Medical Operations, and Amy White to Director Medical Operations, both for Vikand’s Cruise Practice. As a team and within specific maritime verticals, they manage the day-to-day healthcare and operational needs of both clients and Vikand’s dedicated team of onboard doctors, nurses, and healthcare staff.
With a global team, Vikand’s vision is to provide accessible, experienced and affordable healthcare solutions using the latest technology supported by its partners at Inmarsat Maritime and FrontM for commercial shipping, industrial fishing, offshore oil and gas, cruise lines, river cruises and megayachting.
“At Vikand, we are building our team—which now includes 240 members—thoughtfully. The result is a sense of collegiality, of family. Affectionately labeled internally as ‘Vikanders’, the entire team is committed to fostering the industry-wide idea of a culture of care,” says Hult. “It is a credit to all our team members, be it onboard or in the board room, where this organic sensibility has matured into a quest to provide seafarer wellbeing and human sustainability. Our doors are open for those who wish to join Vikand in this pursuit.”
To read more about Vikand’s vision for human sustainability at sea, visit the Global Maritime Forum’s news portal. https://www.globalmaritimeforum.org/news/invest-in-seafarers-health-for-human-sustainability-and-increased-operational-efficiencies
ABOUT VIKAND
VIKAND provides global medical and public health service solutions to the entire maritime industry, including cruise, yacht, superyacht, commercial shipping, fishing, and energy sectors. VIKAND works with more than 200 cruise ship clients—spread over 32 cruise lines—supporting 120,000 crew with medical and mental wellness needs supported by experienced onboard and onshore medical staffs. VIKAND’s proven medical and public health expertise and experience is demonstrated through a proactive and evidence-based healthcare approach, the VIKAND Total Healthcare Solution and is coordinated with global regulatory agencies and industry associations. Solutions encompass 24/7 medical management, public health, and COVID-19 consulting, biomedical equipment maintenance and products, and leading air and surface decontamination solutions. VIKAND recently celebrated its 10th anniversary and was awarded the Seatrade Cruise Awards Supplier of the Year 2020 in October. VIKAND has offices in Fort Lauderdale, Hamburg and soon Monaco in addition to having staff located throughout the world.