Professor Thach Nguyen: 'Vietnam at the forefront of Medicine, Cardiology and Interventional Cardiology'

Professor Thạch Nguyễn

Dear Professor! It is known that the Professor has made great contributions to the development of interventional cardiology (TMCT) in the world and in Vietnam.

In 1997, I organized a delegation of distinguished American interventional cardiologists with expertise in transcatheter coronary and mitral valve interventions (TMCT) to visit Hanoi. The purpose was to train Vietnamese physicians in cutting-edge techniques prevalent at that time. Our instructional approach involved immersive, hands-on training, which proved exceptionally effective. Subsequently, the Vietnamese medical community has seen significant progress, with successive generations of cardiologists mastering techniques including stenting, valve replacement, ablation, and closure of congenital defects.

My role was to establish the initial foundation while professors Pham Gia Khai, Nguyen Lan Viet, Pham Nguyen Vinh, and Dang Van Phuoc continued to send many young doctors abroad for further training. With their professionally honed skills, these energetic and talented cardiologists have achieved the highest proficiency levels, contributing to Vietnam's proud position in interventional cardiology today.

Professor Thach Nguyen clinically instructs students at St.Mary medical center.

Driven by the noble mission of nurturing future generations at Tan Tao University (TTU), why do you focus on medical education?

Our common goal is to equip Vietnamese youth with the highest quality education and a global perspective. TTU's distinctive approach facilitates these efforts by promoting open dialogues with faculty and fostering critical thinking by students. The outcomes speak volumes: within only four graduating classes, TTU students have secured residencies in US hospitals and presented their research internationally, including in the USA and Korea. This achievement underscores the exceptional education provided and stimulates healthy competition between medical schools that benefit Vietnamese society.

Professor Thach Nguyen discussed with professors and doctors at the JCR conference.

What is your impression of Vietnamese physicians?

I am most impressed by the exceptional capabilities of Vietnamese physicians and cardiologists. In the early years of my research career, they critically evaluated my preliminary simplistic theories, prompting me to return to my laboratory, revise my hypotheses, and implement changes that led to our current successes. I am grateful to my Vietnamese colleagues for their constructive criticisms.

In 2019, I was exceptionally proud when three outstanding students from the TTU School of Medicine presented scientific reports at the Joint Meeting of Coronary Revascularization in Busan, Korea. Among these three students, Vu Tri Loc, upon graduation, continued his work in the research laboratories at Tan Tao University and Methodist Hospital. Dr. Vu recently presented his research at the 29th Cardiovascular Summit Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics Asia Pacific (TCTAP) in Seoul and was awarded the Faculty of the Year title in both 2023 and 2024. Dr. Vu, in collaboration with the Artificial Intelligence (AI) laboratories at the University of Sciences, Ho Chi Minh City, is focusing on applying AI in our research and in patient care management.

Tan Tao University.

What is your opinion on the ethical aspects of healthcare?

I believe that everywhere in the world, physicians should empathize, share information with patients, educate them, and give them care with warmth, consideration and respect. This approach enables them to thoroughly treat patients, ensuring accurate diagnoses and appropriate management.

You seem very enthusiastic about preventive medicine. Could you please tell us more about it?

Disease prevention is paramount, as a long healthy life is preferable to one marred by illness. Advances in modern science have rendered preventable many diseases that were once untreatable many decades ago. Consequently, it is imperative for governments, society at large, and individuals alike to prioritize efforts in disease prevention.

You have had time to research and teach in Korea. What results have you achieved?

Over the past two decades, I have frequently visited Busan to deliver lectures at the Joint Meeting of Coronary Revascularization hosted by Dong-A University in Korea. Furthermore, I had the privilege of co-editing my best-selling book, "Practical Handbook of Advanced Interventional Cardiology: Tips and Tricks," with Professor Moo Hyun Kim. The book, published by Wiley Blackwell in Oxford, UK, has been re-edited in its fifth edition.

Regarding educational initiatives, we have established an annual student exchange program between Tan Tao University and Yonsei University School of Medicine. This program provides students with invaluable clinical and research opportunities.

As a Vietnamese scientist who has co-authored many valuable publications with world-renowned scientists, I'm curious to know which of your works you find most interesting and why?

I recently authored an article titled "Introducing a Novel Innovative Technique for the Recording and Interpretation of Dynamic Coronary Angiography," published in the esteemed Q1 journal Diagnostics, based in Basel, Switzerland. This article proposes a groundbreaking change to conventional coronary angiography methods to enhance patient assessment and forecast future complications. I believe this innovative technique will be the new standard in the field.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to Professor Moo-Hyun Kim from the Faculty of Medicine at Dong-A University, Korea, and to my esteemed colleagues in both Korea and Vietnam for their invaluable collaboration in research and development of excellent patient care.

Thank you, professor! Wishing you good health and great success!

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