As a chief plastic surgery resident at the University of Wisconsin, I’ve spent the last several years developing a deep commitment to the care of patients with facial and craniofacial differences—particularly those resulting from congenital anomalies and traumatic injuries. My proposed project with Nuoy builds directly on this focus. I will join a multidisciplinary surgical team delivering high-quality reconstructive surgery to underserved patients in Vietnam, while also helping collaborate with local surgical providers through patient care.
The model Nuoy has established is one I believe in deeply: not just doing surgery for communities abroad, but working with local surgeons to strengthen systems of care long-term. Our work will involve targeted partnerships with Vietnamese hospitals such as the Vietnam National Children’s Hospital and Viet Duc Hospital. I plan to contribute by teaching techniques in craniofacial trauma management, cleft repair, and soft tissue reconstruction—skills I’ve developed during my training and honed with mentorship from leaders in the field.
By integrating education with surgical care, this project will create a meaningful and sustainable difference—both for the patients we treat directly and for the medical teams who will carry this work forward long after we’ve gone home.
This project will serve two interconnected groups. The first is a vulnerable population of patients in Vietnam—mostly children and young adults—who live with congenital deformities such as cleft lip and palate, or have suffered facial trauma without access to timely or specialized care. These patients often face not only functional challenges (like difficulty eating or speaking) but also profound social stigma. Many live in rural areas, where access to surgery is extremely limited. Being part of a team that helps restore form and function to their lives is a privilege and a responsibility I don’t take lightly.
The second group is just as important: local surgeons, trainees, anesthesiologists, and nurses who are eager to expand their skills and take ownership of the care provided in their communities. As a resident myself, I understand how powerful mentorship and shared learning can be. It’s my hope that by teaching what I know and learning from their perspectives, we can build something that’s both collaborative and enduring.
The expected impact of this project is multifold. First and foremost, we’ll be offering life-changing reconstructive surgery to patients who may have otherwise gone untreated. As someone passionate about craniofacial care, I know how impactful even a single procedure can be—not just for function, but for dignity and identity.
But perhaps more importantly, the educational component of this project ensures that our work doesn’t stop when we leave. I’m committed to contributing to a sustainable framework of surgical training that empowers local providers to confidently manage complex cases. My role will include teaching surgical anatomy, operative planning, and hands-on technical skills in craniofacial trauma and congenital repair.
Personally, I expect this experience will shape my career path in a lasting way. It will deepen my understanding of global health equity, expose me to different healthcare systems and cultural approaches, and refine my ability to teach across language and resource barriers. I plan to use what I learn in Vietnam to help build international partnerships as an attending surgeon—and to advocate for models of global surgery that emphasize local leadership, education, and mutual respect.
This trip has been profoundly impactful, both personally and professionally. Over the course of my time in Hanoi, I was able to help patients across four hospitals, treating children with burn scars, performing complex craniofacial reconstructions, and assisting women in need of breast cancer reconstruction. Each patient encounter reaffirmed the importance of global surgery education and capacity building. Working alongside local surgeons and hospital teams allowed me to share knowledge while also learning from their perspectives, which has deepened my appreciation for collaboration in global surgery. I left Vietnam with a renewed sense of responsibility to continue building sustainable partnerships that strengthen systems of care long after visiting teams depart.
