60 Seconds with LCdr Ajiri Ikede, Medical Officer at the Directorate of Flight Safety
Transcript
If you came with a warning label, what would it say?
Probably talks too much.
Hi, I’m LCdr Ajiri Ikede. I’m a Medical Officer in the Canadian Forces and I’m here today to do the 60 Seconds challenge. Here it goes.
- What’s the main difference between practicing medicine in the CAF versus a civilian context?
We do a little bit more occupational medicine and operational medicine.
- Why is it important to ensure diversity in Defence and the public service?
I think having different points of view gives you different potential solutions to problems.
- Who is the first person you make friends with when you start a new job?
The person I’m replacing.
- What do medical officers do?
We provide medical services to Canadian Force members as well as some of our allies.
- Why did you want to practice medicine in the military?
I wanted to continue my previous service as a MARS officer and I wanted to also continue my dream to be a doctor, and that was a great way of getting the best of both worlds.
- How do you maintain your mental health?
I try to maintain a healthy lifestyle: eating healthy, talking to people and having lots of supports.
- What is your biggest challenge at work?
Dealing with all the unpredictability that comes with being in the Forces, but it’s also one of the greatest and most rewarding parts of the job.
