Introduction
When people ask me about my path in healthcare, I often smile and tell them it's been anything but traditional. Growing up in countryside of North Vietnam, I was drawn to medicine not just as a science, but as a way to make a real difference in people's lives. After earning my medical degree from Hanoi Medical University in the 1990s, I realized that creating lasting change in healthcare would need more than just medical knowledge – it would require innovation, business acumen, and the ability to bridge different worlds.
Today, I find myself living that vision through two roles that perfectly complement each other. At California Northstate University (CNU), I'm deeply involved in groundbreaking research, particularly in developing AI applications for medical implants. But my heart is equally invested in my work with Open Avenues Foundation, where I help create sustainable healthcare solutions for rural communities that desperately need them.
One of my proudest achievements was building Thanh An Ltd. from just two employees to a team of nearly 500. Starting with a simple vision of improving medical equipment distribution in Vietnam, we grew into a company generating over $100 million in annual revenue. But more importantly, we helped bring essential medical equipment to healthcare providers who previously struggled to access it.
Every day brings new challenges and opportunities. One morning, I might be in the lab at CNU, working with Professor Ramsamooj on histopathological studies, and by afternoon, I'm mentoring students on implementing telemedicine solutions in remote villages. It's this blend of cutting-edge research and practical healthcare delivery that keeps me excited about the future of medicine.
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career options
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skills
What are the main hard skills you use on a daily basis in your current job?
My daily research at CNU focuses on studying tissue growth in medical implants and developing AI tools for implant evaluation. This work builds on my 20+ years at Vu Gia Dental Lab, where I led projects ranging from
3D-printed jaw implants to AI-assisted dental crown color matching. While my medical training gave me the foundation, it's really been the hands-on lab work and international collaborations that shaped my expertise. Currently, I work alongside Professor Ramsamooj, combining traditional tissue analysis with AI technology to improve surgical outcomes for patients.
Over two decades, I've helped bring modern medical technology to rural communities across Vietnam. This started with setting up basic telemedicine systems in villages where even stable internet was a challenge. Through my MBA studies and real-world experience growing Thanh An Ltd., I learned how to adapt high-tech solutions for low-resource settings. Now I use this experience to teach students how to implement practical telemedicine solutions that actually work in remote areas, considering everything from internet stability to local healthcare providers' technical comfort levels.
While building my medical distribution companies in Vietnam, I developed practical ways to make healthcare financially sustainable in poor communities. Working with local doctors, I created microcredit programs that helped them purchase essential medical equipment without taking on overwhelming debt. This experience taught me how to balance quality healthcare delivery with financial stability. I now use these real-world lessons to show students how to develop financial models that work in resource-limited settings, focusing on practical solutions like group lending programs and flexible payment systems that keep healthcare accessible while supporting providers.
What are the main soft skills you use on a daily basis in your current job?
Working effectively across different cultural contexts, from developing countries healthcare systems to American medical institutions, using cultural understanding to implement successful programs and build lasting relationships.
Leading diverse teams and organizations, as demonstrated in growing Thanh An Ltd. from 2 to 500 employees, focusing on inspiring shared vision and collaborative achievement.
Combining medical, business, and community organizing skills to develop innovative solutions for complex healthcare challenges, particularly in remote and underserved areas.
Thuyet
’s personal path
Tell us about your personal journey in
Medical Science Fellow
:
Looking back, my path wasn't what you'd call traditional. After medical school in Vietnam, I made what seemed like an unusual decision at the time – pursuing a bachelor degree in Linguistic focus on English and an MBA in Technology Management in Thailand. Many of my colleagues couldn't understand why a doctor would want to study business. But I saw something they didn't: the biggest barriers to healthcare often weren't medical, they were language, operational, and financial.
The real turning point came during my first collaboration with American doctors. Working with Dr. Jerry VanMeter, Dr. Pietro Tonino, and Dr. Johnny Delashaw opened my eyes to new possibilities in healthcare delivery. We weren't just training Vietnamese doctors in new surgical techniques; we were building bridges between different healthcare systems and cultures.
Landing my current positions at CNU and Open Avenues wasn't straightforward either. It took years of building relationships, proving concepts, and sometimes learning from failure. I remember the early days of implementing telemedicine in rural Vietnam – the technology was there, but we had to learn how to make it work in communities where even reliable internet was a luxury.
The journey taught me that success in healthcare innovation isn't just about having good ideas – it's about persistence and adaptation. Every failed attempt at setting up a rural clinic or implementing a new technology taught me valuable lessons that I now share with my students.
What would you tell your younger you regarding building your current career?
If I could sit down with the young doctor I was in Hanoi, I'd have quite a few things to share over a cup of Vietnamese coffee. First, I'd tell him not to be afraid of taking unconventional paths. That MBA that everyone questioned? It would become one of my most valuable assets.
I'd also tell him that some of the most important innovations in healthcare don't come from high-tech labs – they come from understanding the real needs of communities and finding practical ways to meet them. The microcredit models we now use to support rural healthcare providers? They came from listening to local doctors talk about their challenges.
Most importantly, I'd tell him to keep building bridges – between Eastern and Western medicine, between business and healthcare, between technology and traditional practice. These connections would become the foundation of everything I do today.
Final thoughts & tips
After years of straddling the worlds of medical research, education, and healthcare delivery, I've learned that the most effective solutions often come from unexpected combinations. At CNU, I see how AI can transform medical diagnosis, while at Open Avenues, I witness how simple business innovations can make healthcare accessible to remote communities.
For those looking to make their mark in healthcare innovation, remember this: technology and medical expertise are important, but understanding people and communities is essential. Whether you're developing an AI application for medical implants or setting up a rural clinic, success comes from meeting real human needs in sustainable ways.
Don't be afraid to think beyond traditional boundaries. Some of our most successful programs at Open Avenues came from combining seemingly unrelated ideas – like using microcredit principles to support rural healthcare providers. Innovation often happens at these intersections.
Resources to dig in more
WHO Digital Health Platform Link
More than just guidelines, this platform offers real-world examples of successful digital health implementations in developing countries. I've used their case studies extensively in designing rural healthcare programs.
Rural Health Information Hub Link
This has been my go-to resource for understanding healthcare challenges in rural settings. Their evidence-based toolkits are particularly useful for anyone working on rural healthcare solutions.
Global Health Innovation Exchange Link
A fantastic platform where healthcare innovators share their experiences. I've both learned from and contributed to their knowledge base about implementing sustainable healthcare solutions.
Healthcare Financial Management Association
Essential for understanding the business side of healthcare. Their resources on sustainable healthcare models have been crucial in developing our microcredit programs.
