One-on-one Clinical Training Journey in the United States for PCTU Medical Students

In October 2025, Hồ Anh Dũng, a fourth-year student of the K22 cohort at the Institute–School of Phan Chau Trinh University of Medicine (PCTU), was one of two students selected to participate in an internship at Tamarack Health Hayward Medical Center in Wisconsin, USA. This was a remarkable opportunity for Dũng to experience one of the world’s most advanced medical systems and to mark an unforgettable chapter in his youth.
 

Hồ Anh Dũng – K22YK1 cohort (first from the left) at Tamarack Health Hayward Medical Center, Wisconsin

Although Dũng had been familiar with clinical rotations from his first year at the Institute–School’s hospital system, he still carried a sense of nervous anticipation when setting foot in a foreign country. However, thanks to the close support from PCTU faculty during the direct handover of documents, their frequent communication, and the dedication of physicians at Tamarack Health, he quickly adapted and demonstrated his capabilities.

Impressed by his professionalism and ability to absorb knowledge quickly, the American physicians provided Dũng with extensive one-on-one guidance across most specialties. Under the direct mentorship of Dr. Brian Donnahue, he learned systematic examination techniques for the shoulder, knee, and hip joints, and gained hands-on exposure to common injury patterns such as MCL and ACL tears, as well as various rotator cuff pathologies. He also learned to interpret X-rays and MRIs from a surgeon’s perspective and observed numerous arthroscopic procedures—an area he is particularly passionate about. he shared.

Dr. Jordan C. Smith, a specialist in Orthopedic Medicine/Sports Medicine and Family Medicine at Tamarack Health, offered exceptionally positive feedback on Hồ Anh Dũng:

Dũng demonstrated a strong foundation in anatomy and biomechanics, consistently asking insightful questions that reflected thorough preparation and sharp clinical reasoning. He showed respect, compassion, and a genuine concern for patient comfort and privacy. His professionalism and communication skills were highly regarded by American physicians, highlighting the quality of medical training in Vietnam—especially at PCTU. Dr. Smith believes Dũng will excel in both clinical and academic pursuits, and that his experience in the United States will meaningfully enrich his medical education in Vietnam, giving him a unique perspective for his future practice.

After the four-week internship, Dũng returned with invaluable lessons.

I’ve developed a much clearer principle in patient care: always place the patient at the center, and integrate clinical reasoning, imaging interpretation, teamwork, communication, and compassion, he shared.

Observing how the physicians at Tamarack Health seamlessly embodied these qualities helped Dũng better envision the kind of doctor he aspires to become—an orthopedic surgeon who is not only clinically competent but also deeply empathetic.

From his experience, Dũng also offered advice to PCTU students:

Start preparing early for the USMLE Step 1 exam and cultivate the mindset needed to adapt to clinical settings in the United States

His journey reflects the core spirit of PCTU’s training philosophy: students are encouraged to engage early in clinical environments, learn through real-world experience, and access international exchange opportunities. When a student’s proactive mindset aligns with PCTU’s liberal and practice-oriented education, it becomes a powerful advantage—one that equips them to step confidently into the global medical landscape.

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