Dilia Martínez-Méndez, MSc

What’s the work that you do?

I’ve worked as a remote site medical doctor since 2014, in extreme locations like Antarctica, remote Africa, and in the oil & gas industry, where I operated as a member of multicultural teams. I’ve been the team leader for Emergency Response, providing medical care (ACLS – PHTLS – OSHA), writing medical reports and serve as liaison to bases & medevac. I also monitor & do CME on the crew. Finally, I do more mundane tasks such as managing inventory supplies and orders.

What keeps you going?

I’ve been a physician since 2002, with experience in infectious diseases & research. When I had to leave my country in 2016, I had to refresh my knowledge of emergency medicine, occupational health and safety. In line with this, I became a remote site doctor debuting in Antarctica, where I was the only health personnel onboard of an expedition ship during the entire 2016-17 season as well as the 2017-18 season. Working as a member of multicultural teams, speaking another language, and doing things as well as possible is a challenge! Now, adding everything I’ve learned, I continue to do research, I publish, review, and collaborate as a speaker. I am always willing to learn, and this keeps me going.

What’s your message to the world?

You can complain because things didn’t turn out the way you wanted, the way you planned, the way you dreamed, or you can want the things you do, plan new horizons and enjoy peaceful nights of sleep. You decide if you use your talent to create or to complain! Read it out loud: It’s up to YOU.