Journal

As we boarded the ship in Kirkenes, a man scanned our temperatures and checked our names off a list. That man was Dr. Nikolai Kozlovskie - the ship's doctor, dentist, first aid person, and medical resource. (September 9th was our last interaction with the world of COVID-19. Since everyone aboard has been vaccinated and had been in quarantine, we have not had to wear masks, isolate, etc. It is very weird to see pictures of my students still in masks).

Dr. Nikolai Kozlovskie
Dr. Nikolai Kozlovskie giving a tour of the medical suite aboard the Akademik Tryoshnikov

I went up to see the doctor during his clinic hours one day, and he invited me back later to show me the entire medical section of the ship - it's huge. The first room you enter is the main examination area. It has a desk for consultation, an exam table, and a variety of instruments, including an ultrasound.

Exam Room
The main exam room and office. Initially, I thought this was the extent of the medical area.

In a room to the left is the dental office, which has all of the modern dental equipment. Dr. Kozlovskie is trained in dentistry as well as medicine.

Dental Chair
The dental chair. Anyone need a cleaning?

On the opposite side of the main exam room are a sterile room for lab procedures and preparation and a surgery room - complete with anesthesia, heart monitoring, and ventilation equipment. The doctor once had to do abdominal surgery on a patient while at sea (Positive Note: There is a picture on the wall of everyone smiling afterwards).

Sterile Room
The sterile room for surgery prep and lab procedures.
Anesthesia Equipment
Anesthesia equipment to use during surgery.

There is another room with 2 beds for recovering patients, a gurney for helicopter emergency medical evacuations, and a recently converted COVID-19 isolation suite, complete with bathroom and laundry.

Gurney
Gurney in case of evacuation by helicopter.
Isolation Room
COVID-19 isolation room.

When I went to meet with him, I brought scientist Natasha Alexeeva as a translator because Dr. Kozlovskie speaks Russian and German (I'm not even marginally good in either of those), and it was taking too long to continually type into GoogleTranslate. He mentioned that if I came back with a medical issue, I should bring a male translator - I think he said it was because of Russian privacy issues. I asked him about his work on the ship, and he gave some (very appropriate) words of advice, in good English: "1st rule - don't get sick. 2nd rule - don't die."

Details
Author
Jonathan Pazol
Date
Location
East Siberian Sea
Expedition
Nansen and Amundsen Basins Observational System
Weather Summary
Overcast; Full-ice cover
Temperature
-6.3 C
Wind Speed
12.5 m/s

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Comments

Fri, 10/01/2021 - 05:23

Naomi Pazol

I'm very glad to see that none of those beds are currently in use. How lucky you all are to have a reprieve from the covid world!

Fri, 10/08/2021 - 07:58

Jonathan Pazol

We feel very lucky indeed, and none of us are looking forward to returning to that part of our lives.

Fri, 10/01/2021 - 05:48

Oneida Thorne

Jon, That's a pretty amazing medical and dental set-up. I am wondering if Dr. Kozlovskie serves only on that ship, for Polartrec, or some other organization? He has a unique skill set that you would see in a sci-fi movie... he is the complete medical team. What happens if he were to get ill? Is there back-up in that department on the ship? Well, you guys are not in outer space and hopefully will not encounter any strange sea creatures that try to board the ship and eat you... and just in case I guess you could be med-evaced out!

Fri, 10/08/2021 - 07:51

Jonathan Pazol

As far as I know, he is the only doctor aboard. There are other crew members who have some medical background, and I know that 2 of the science party members are trained as EMTs, so that would be useful. Hopefully no strange creatures try to board!

Fri, 10/01/2021 - 06:17

JoLene Krawczak

That's a surprisingly complete medical setup! Aside from emergencies, does the doctor have many more routine patients? Is there a helicopter on board in case an evacuation is needed? It seems you are a long way from a hospital (yes, I read your map post!)

Fri, 10/08/2021 - 07:55

Jonathan Pazol

He handles sick people, injuries or accidents, and any other emergencies. Yes, we are far from the ability to evacuate, so his job would be to keep an emergency patient stable.

Fri, 10/01/2021 - 06:39

Kelly Zima

Wow, that set up is impressive and so important. Although my favorite part was the doc’s advice. 1. Don’t get sick 2. Don’t die. Safe travels my friend!

Fri, 10/01/2021 - 07:50

Violeta Gerue

I give my kids that advise each time we go camping. That is a great set up. Godspeed!

Fri, 10/01/2021 - 09:37

Jose Flacovitz

Wow, really interesting. Love the pictures. What a multi-talented dude and how fortunate to have him aboard. Reminds me of the village medico back in Michoacán who delivered me and my six brothers.

Fri, 10/01/2021 - 10:29

Marilyn Sniderman

I am totally fascinated by your reports. What an amazing experience.

Fri, 10/01/2021 - 13:13

Gary Dubofsky

I am a complete fan of the good doctor's two rules and continue to be fascinated with your journal entries. Quite an amazing self-contained ship you are traveling on and am hoping for the elusive Polar Bear photo!!

Fri, 10/01/2021 - 15:38

Jen Bartkowicz

Love the advice the doctor gave you…similar to what I ask my students…but did you die?

Sat, 10/02/2021 - 13:25

Sandy Miller

Sounds like this program is prepared for all possibilities...amazing. Best advice I ever heard a doctor say; "Don't get sick!" Hopefully, you will all stay well and you won't need him. Continue to enjoy every minute. Love and hugs.

Tue, 10/05/2021 - 11:35

Ivan Santiago Ramos

dental stuff in a ship?

Tue, 10/05/2021 - 11:47

Becky Pena

An amazing doctor!! and a great medical/dental/surgery setup

Wed, 10/06/2021 - 08:36

Vanessa Franco

Is there only one doctor?

Wed, 10/06/2021 - 08:36

Dulce Sanchez

How do you take care of the scientists that get injured ?
Why do you need a dental room in a ship ?

Wed, 10/06/2021 - 09:00

Mike Hill

Is there only 1 singular Doctor for the whole entire ship? What if multiple people get sick is he gonna have to take care of them all by himself?

Wed, 10/06/2021 - 11:10

Jonathan Garcia

have u interacted with the other teachers?

Mon, 10/11/2021 - 01:54

Jonathan Pazol

I am the only teacher on board the ship. Everyone else is a scientist or crew member.

Wed, 10/06/2021 - 11:12

Kimberly T.

Was there ever a time when many patients were in the doctors clinic at once?

Wed, 10/06/2021 - 11:12

Valeria Martin…

Hello Mr.Pazol, I hope you're doing well! Aside from the fact that you have a doctor who specializes in pretty much everything, would the doctor be prepared if an eye accident were to happen on board? If multiple people were to get sick at once, would the doctor on board be prepared to attend every member individually? What would be the plan?

Wed, 10/06/2021 - 11:16

Janelle Naja

How did you get on the ship?

Mon, 10/11/2021 - 01:53

Jonathan Pazol

If you check out my Journal from 9-10, you'll see pictures of the ship and people walking up the gangway (metal ladder) to the deck.

Wed, 10/06/2021 - 11:18

Michael Powyszynski

How often is the sterile room used for operations if ever?
What dental problems occur if any?

Wed, 10/06/2021 - 17:03

Adrian Zamora

Is there a lot of people that end up needing to see the doctor because of the weather or other things?

Thu, 10/07/2021 - 05:36

Eileen Ramirez

How do they have space for everything?

Thu, 10/07/2021 - 05:37

Maria Morales Huerta

The doctors advice is the best advice you could ever get.

Thu, 10/07/2021 - 05:40

Rodrigo Diaz

How many years has the doctor been studying medicine and everything he has to be there?

Thu, 10/07/2021 - 05:40

Uvaldo Caldera

Have you gotten your teeth checked

Thu, 10/07/2021 - 05:50

Jackie Hernandez

how often do they clean the doctor's room?
what if there is surgery happening what does the doctor have to do to make it as safe as possible?

Thu, 10/07/2021 - 07:05

Yesenia Jacques

Are there other doctors? If so, how many?

Thu, 10/07/2021 - 07:12

Joaquin Figueroa

What happens if the doctor becomes sick or injured would there be a replacement?

Thu, 10/07/2021 - 08:10

Valentina Casa…

what will happen if they run out of something important while they are trying to help someone?

Thu, 10/07/2021 - 08:10

Vanessa Franco

Do a lot of people get sick?

Fri, 10/08/2021 - 04:49

Christian

How long did it take him to become all of those things?
Are you sick or feel ill in the cold?

Fri, 10/08/2021 - 04:55

Danielle Legaspi

Do you go through evacuation drills? And if yes what are those drills?

Fri, 10/08/2021 - 08:08

Jonathan Pazol

Yes, we practiced an evacuation drill, where everyone was instructed to put on our warmest clothes, grab the lifejacket from our room, and meet on the helicopter deck. The ship's crew read off our names, and we boarded the lifeboats. We were trained out to operate the lifeboat in case there wasn't a crew member.

Fri, 10/08/2021 - 08:05

Jonathan Pazol

For my student questions: As far as I know, he is the only doctor aboard. There are other crew members who have some medical background, and I know that 2 of the science party members are trained as EMTs, so that would be useful. I do not know about his training. I can ask him. He has dental equipment in case of a dental emergency - someone has an infected tooth or falls and injures his or her mouth, etc. The whole set-up takes about 1/4 of the upper stories of the ship (see the ship pictures in other posts) and is fully stocked in case of emergencies. The doctor's most common cases are for seasickness, upset stomachs, minor cuts and bruises (there is lots of heavy equipment on board). He is here "just in case." Hopefully, he can just sit around and relax.