16 September 2020, Fort Lauderdale, Florida USA: Vikand Solutions, LLC - a global maritime medical operations and healthcare solutions provider—announces the establishment of a dedicated Global Maritime Public Health Practice, The practice focuses on disease prevention and response, hygiene, sanitation, protocol and training for the cruise, commercial shipping and yachting industries. 

“We welcome Dennis Peyton, Jr. to VIKAND as Director of our Public Health Practice,” says Peter Hult, Vikand CEO. “Dennis joins us from Holland America Group where he has served as Epidemiologist since 2013 and has provided auxiliary support to the Carnival Corporation fleet of over 100 vessels based around the world. His experience and expertise are exceptional,” Hult continues. 

With 15 years of practical public health experience—seven of which were spent serving the maritime industry—Peyton holds a Masters of Public Health from Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Public Health, and holds internationally accredited certifications in infection prevention and control. He has also served as Professor of Medical Microbiology at Jefferson College in Louisville, Kentucky. 

Peyton’s most pressing emphasis is on infection prevention and control —most recently with COVID-19. This in-depth knowledge has proven essential in managing and supporting the pandemic for Princess, Holland America Line and Carnival Corporation. 

“Dennis is known throughout the industry as a collaborator, creating lasting professional relationships including key stakeholders at global health leadership organizations,” says Hult. 

“With Dennis’ extensive experience and knowledge of public health, epidemiology, and cruise industry operations, Vikand expands its capabilities for clients and the maritime industry. We provide a total healthcare solution. This is especially important in meeting the challenges of COVID-19, daily developments, and quickly reviewing and augmenting protocols. It means providing solutions for the resumption of cruising plans through testing technologies, medical and PCR network developments, and multiple additional factors,” he continues. 

Peyton’s professional credentials also include access to the World Health Organization (WHO), U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), throughout Europe via EU Healthy Gateways, and more. 

Peyton comments, “The greatest strength of public health is its focus on safeguarding collective vitality. Through this attention, a community can realize its shared ideals: to reduce and eliminate unacceptable health disparities, nurture healthy children, cultivate healthy environments where empowered students learn and colleagues work productively, and to quench a natural thirst for healthy travel and new adventure. Together, as a society, we can achieve these shared goals through commitment to broad coalitions and effective communications that generate sustainable public health interventions. Vikand’s values and products directly represent my own. I am honored to join Vikand in presenting global health solutions.” 

About VIKAND 

VIKAND provides global medical service solutions to 200+ cruise ships and supports 120,000 crew medical and mental wellness needs with onboard and onshore medical staff. Vikand’s proven medical expertise and experience is demonstrated through many challenging onboard and onshore crises requiring the teams’ direct involvement. Solutions encompass 24/7 medical management, public health, consulting, biomedical equipment maintenance and sales, and leading air and surface decontamination solutions. VIKAND recently celebrated its 10th anniversary and is currently a finalist for the Seatrade Cruise Awards as Supplier of the Year 2020.