Ingvar graduated with a degree in medicine in 1978 and completed his internship in Iceland. He received his medical license in 1980, following the mandatory rural service then required. In 1983, he defended his doctoral thesis at the University of London, based on research on rheumatoid arthritis. Three years later, in 1986, he completed the MRCP specialist exam in internal medicine.

Ingvar worked as a physician in Scotland for five and a half years, first at the Royal Infirmary in Glasgow and later as a registrar at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. During the summers of 1986–1988, he also worked in Akureyri.

In 1989, Ingvar returned to Iceland and accepted a lecturer position at the University of Akureyri, alongside working at Kristnes Hospital and in specialist care at SAk on Eyrarlandsvegur. He taught at the university from 1989 to 2016, first as a lecturer and later as an associate professor – a total of 27 years. "I enjoyed teaching, explaining things, and discussing with students," Ingvar says of his academic career.

Regarding his work as a physician at SAk, he says: "There have been ups and downs – it’s not Christmas every day – but for the most part, it has been rewarding and fun. I worked mostly on my own. Some patients have been with me for a long time – I recently said goodbye to someone who first came to see me in 1989. In some cases, you need to look further than year to year – even from decade to decade."

Ingvar will be formally farewelled at a special ceremony at Akureyri Hospital this autumn. There, he will deliver an honorary lecture, reflecting on his career and sharing his experience – with a special focus on what others might learn from it.

Akureyri Hospital sincerely thanks Ingvar for his contribution to the care of patients and the community in North Iceland.