The Mayo Clinic Global Health Program connects Mayo Clinic staff and students with opportunities to make a difference through global health activities in underserved areas of the world. See how one group has made a difference in Vietnam.

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In September, more than 30 Mayo Clinic consultants and allied health staff traveled to Da Nang, Vietnam, to provide comprehensive training across several medical specialties, including neurology, radiology, dermatology, pulmonology, obstetrics, emergency medicine, microbiology, pathology and hematology.

Their work, part of the Mayo Clinic Global Health Program, was led by James Bower, M.D., the program's medical director.

The trip underscored the program's dedication to advancing medical expertise and improving patient care in resource-limited regions. The mission was designed to build on the foundation established during earlier visits, emphasizing sustainable practices and strengthening relationships with Vietnamese healthcare providers.

"Our approach is collaborative training where we work directly with Vietnamese staff to identify and address their needs," says Dr. Bower. "This is not a top-down initiative, but a relationship aimed at finding realistic matches for support and development."

Autumn Brogan, M.D., an emergency medicine physician, reflected on the impact of the visit.

"This opportunity allows us to see other healthcare systems and partner internationally to work toward the improvement of global health," she says. "Through sustained educational and research projects, we aim to enhance patient care on a global scale at Mayo Clinic Global Health Program sites."

A year of collaborative growth

The Global Health Program conducted four trips to Vietnam in 2024, each tailored to address one of the region's unique medical needs. The visits are part of a long-term evolving collaboration that began in 2023 with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Mayo Clinic and three primary hospitals in Da Nang.

In addition to the September trip, visits to Vietnam focused on:

• Cardiology: Led by Christopher McLeod, M.B., Ch.B., Ph.D., this trip emphasized advanced cardiac care techniques, including interventional cardiology and echocardiography.
• Pediatrics: Under the leadership of Yves Ouellette, M.D., Ph.D., this mission focused on neonatal care, genetics, and pediatric emergency protocols.
• Multidisciplinary Care: Led by Tri Dinh, M.D., this visit addressed a broad spectrum of specialties, continuing to integrate diagnostic and clinical innovations into practice.

A legacy of collaboration and commitment

The Global Health Program's collaboration with Vietnam began with the volunteer efforts of Dr. Dinh, a gynecologic oncologist in Florida, who delivered lectures and consulted with patients during his personal time. His contributions preceded the establishment of a formal Global Health Program site, which enabled broader impact through institutional resources.

"When Mayo's team visits our hospital, they encounter many challenges due to limited equipment, facilities, and space," said Dr. Phuong Nguyen, a radiologist at Da Nang Hospital. "With professionalism, kindness, and expertise, they navigate these challenges effortlessly. I am especially impressed by their openness to understanding and adapting to our unique needs."

Get involved

Since its establishment in 2012 as Mayo Clinic Abroad, the Global Health Program has grown into a robust global health initiative, completing 226 projects worldwide. The program has plans to expand to Ghana in 2025, and a possible third site in Latin America is under consideration.

Mayo Clinic staff interested in contributing to these efforts are invited to apply for 2025 trips. The program offers scholarships for allied health staff and grants for consultants to help cover travel and project expenses.

For more information or to join this meaningful initiative, please contact the program team at mcglobalhealth@mayo.edu.