Doctors uphold medical ethics, elevate medical expertise

On the thin line between life and death, there are heroes who wear no armor, only a simple white blouse, yet carry a noble mission on their shoulders.

Though they serve in different positions and fields of work, they share one ideal: devotion to patients and relentless innovation for the development of medicine. They are outstanding role models, further enhancing the image of Vietnamese physicians who are deeply grounded in medical knowledge, highly skilled in medical practice, and exemplary in medical ethics.

Elevating provincial hospitals

With basically three decades of dedication to the medical sector, Meritorious Physician, Specialist Level II Doctor Nguyen Tuong Quang (Director of Thong Nhat General Hospital) has made a strong mark not only in his professional work but also in his role as a capable and resolute manager.

Doctor Nguyen Tuong Quang, Director of Thong Nhat General Hospital, examines a severely injured patient. Photo: Hanh Dung

Starting his career in 1997 in the Department of Surgery, Dr. Quang quickly asserted his expertise in orthopedics. With a well-trained background and continuous accumulation of experience, he gradually mastered many difficult techniques, successfully treating a series of complex cases.

As Head of the Department of Orthopedic Trauma - Burns, he directly implemented many specialized techniques, including hip and knee replacement, shoulder and knee arthroscopy, complex pelvic and acetabular fixation, and, especially, microsurgical techniques for reattaching severed limbs and reconnecting blood vessels and nerves. These achievements have helped many patients avoid referrals to higher-level facilities, reducing costs and treatment time.

Not stopping there, Dr. Quang is also a pioneer in scientific research. Many of the projects he has led have been successfully implemented, contributing to improved treatment quality. He also actively collaborates with domestic and international experts, bringing advanced techniques to Thong Nhat General Hospital and opening opportunities for local people to access high-quality medical services.

To date, the hospital has successfully carried out a range of advanced techniques that not every provincial-level hospital nationwide can perform, including specialized laparoscopic surgery (elbow, wrist, and ankle joints; gastrectomy with lymph node dissection; lung tumor resection), nerve transfer surgery for brachial plexus palsy, controlled hypothermia, cerebrovascular intervention for stroke treatment, liver resection, plasma exchange, 3D cardiac electrophysiology exploration, and gene sequencing tests. These achievements have reinforced the hospital's standing within the provincial healthcare system and made it a trusted destination for many patients, both within and outside the province.

Dr. Quang revealed: "Not stopping at the achievements, we are orienting the hospital's development towards specialization and modernization with the establishment of centers such as the Orthopedic Trauma-Rehabilitation Center and the Kidney and Urology Center. At the same time, we are establishing additional specialties such as: Surgical Intensive Care, Geriatrics, Musculoskeletal, Oncology, Dermatology, Aesthetic Surgery... to meet the increasing healthcare needs of the people."

Continuous innovation for patients

While Dr. Quang leads the clinical front, Meritorious Physician,  Pharmacist Specialist II Nguyen Duc Thu, Vice Director of Dong Nai Traditional Medicine Hospital, is a shining example of quiet dedication and clinical pharmacy innovation.

With more than 25 years in the profession, pharmacist Nguyen Duc Thu has remained steadfast in his goal of improving the quality of drug use, especially in traditional medicine. From military medical service to hospital practice, he has continually learned, built up experience, and strengthened the role of the clinical pharmacist.

A hallmark of his career is scientific research closely linked to practice. Numerous projects on preserving and processing medicinal materials, developing preliminary processing procedures, and assessing the effectiveness of traditional medicine remedies have been successfully carried out, thereby improving treatment quality. In particular, the initiative "Automatic electric traditional medicine decoction system" marked a breakthrough in drug preparation at Dong Nai Traditional Medicine Hospital, helping to standardize procedures, save time and labor, and improve treatment effectiveness. The project won second prize at the Dong Nai Provincial Technical Innovation Contest, underscoring its substantial practical value.

Beyond research, he has also actively used traditional medicine remedies and products to treat common conditions such as musculoskeletal disorders, gout, and insomnia, delivering significant results. In a management role, he advised on establishing a rigorous herbal medicine management system to achieve high standards in the preservation and quality control of medicines.

When asked about the most memorable experience in his career, pharmacist Thu confided: "It was during the period when the Covid-19 outbreak surged across the province. Along with other medical staff, I researched and implemented remedies to support COVID-19 treatment for patients receiving care at field hospitals. This undertaking helped ease the burden on the healthcare system and promote the role of traditional medicine in community health care."

Head of the Nursing Department at Dong Nai General Hospital, Cao Thi Hai Yen (right), and colleagues visit and encourage a patient before surgery. Photo: Hanh Dung

Always treating patients as relatives

If doctors make clinical decisions and pharmacists ensure each pill is safe and effective, nurses are the ones who spend the most time at patients’ sides, caring for every meal and every sleep, and monitoring every slight change in their health. It is these qualities of dedication, professionalism, and wholehearted commitment to patients that have enabled many nurses to affirm their irreplaceable role. Meritorious Physician, Master of Nursing Cao Thi Hai Yen, Head of Nursing Department at Dong Nai General Hospital, is one such person, a leading example of the modern nurse.

With nearly 30 years of dedication to the profession, Hai Yen is not only highly competent in her specialty but also a dynamic and creative manager. Notably, she is one of the very few nurses in Dong Nai to be honored with the prestigious title of Meritorious Physician, a testament to her enduring and outstanding contributions to nursing.

From her early days working in the Surgery Department, she quickly demonstrated her competence and sense of responsibility. Continuously learning and improving her qualifications, she gradually progressed through various positions, from head nurse to quality manager, and is now Head of Nursing Department.

To date, Dong Nai province has 4 individuals honored with the prestigious title of People's Physician and 236 individuals awarded the title of Meritorious Physician.

With the motto "patient-centered," nurse Hai Yen advised hospital leadership on building a professional, scientific nursing system to ensure safety and improve the quality of care. Improvements in professional procedures and reduced administrative burdens have given the nursing team more time for direct patient care, enhancing satisfaction and treatment effectiveness.

Besides, she is an active scientific researcher with many practical projects, including improving surgical wound dressing changes, enhancing communication between nurses and patients, and reducing post-surgical dry mouth. All initiatives have been effectively applied, delivering clear benefits.

"I always see patients as my own family, feeling their pain as my own, trying to understand, empathize, share, and encourage them. Although nursing is called a profession that serves 'a hundred families' with many difficulties, hardships, and pressures, I have never regretted choosing and pursuing this path," Hai Yen confided.

It can be seen that behind these noble titles of Meritorious Physician are sleepless nights in the operating room and tireless hours by the bedside. They continue to use their wisdom to treat, their hands to save, and their hearts to revive hope where it was once lost.

By Hanh Dung – Translated by Mai Nga, Minho