The only ophthalmology resident in Hai Phong.

Rejecting numerous opportunities with good income and working environments, resident doctor Doan Minh Hoang chose to return to his hometown in the port city, bringing his in-depth knowledge to save the lives of patients.

Doctor Hoang examines the patient's eyes.

Struggling to grow

Born in 1992 in Vinh Am commune ( Hai Phong city), Doan Minh Hoang is currently a Master of Medicine, a resident physician specializing in ophthalmology, and the Deputy Head of the General Treatment Department (Hai Phong Eye Hospital). He is also the only ophthalmology resident physician currently working in Hai Phong city.

Few people know that Dr. Hoang's path to medicine wasn't his initial choice. As a student, he was interested in economics . However, with his strong academic abilities in science, especially biology, and family guidance, he applied to Tran Phu High School for the Gifted and later gained admission to Hanoi Medical University – a leading institution that has trained many generations of top doctors.

After graduating, faced with many specialty options, Dr. Hoang decided to apply for a residency program – a rigorous training path requiring perseverance and strong professional skills. That year, the number of residency positions was very limited, and with a ranking of 26th in the entire cohort, he chose ophthalmology – a specialized field requiring sophisticated microsurgical techniques and near-absolute precision.

Dr. Hoang served as the lead surgeon in many complex surgical procedures.

Three years of residency training are truly a period of intense work. Unlike other training programs with fixed teaching schedules, resident doctors primarily learn by closely following their instructors during examinations, surgeries, and extended night shifts. Dr. Hoang explained that during the day, he would examine patients and perform surgeries with his instructors; in the afternoons, he would complete patient records; and in the evenings, he would study independently, reading both domestic and international literature.

His most unforgettable experience was his first cataract surgery. “My hands were shaking, my heart was racing. The pressure was immense because I couldn’t afford to make any mistakes. But thanks to the encouragement and close guidance of my teachers and senior colleagues, I overcame that moment. It was these real-life experiences that honed the steadfastness and confidence necessary for a surgeon,” Dr. Hoang shared.

A solid foundation helps patients.

After completing his residency program and receiving his medical degree after three years, instead of staying in Hanoi where he had more opportunities for income and a better academic environment, Dr. Hoang decided to return to Hai Phong to work at the Hai Phong Eye Hospital. For him, being close to his family and using his acquired knowledge to help patients in his hometown was a meaningful long-term choice.

Dr. Hoang serves as the lead surgeon in many complex procedures at Hai Phong Eye Hospital.

His work experience quickly proved that decision was correct. At Hai Phong Eye Hospital, the hospital leadership provided maximum support and assistance, coupled with a large number of patients, high demand for surgery, and modern medical equipment. This allowed him to soon work independently, taking on the role of lead surgeon in many techniques such as Phaco cataract surgery, vitrectomy, glaucoma surgery, etc.

One particularly memorable case involved a 20-year-old male patient during the COVID-19 pandemic. The patient suffered a serious work-related accident, with foreign objects entering his eye, causing a ruptured eyeball, intraocular hemorrhage, and the complete loss of the lens into the vitreous humor. Due to lockdown restrictions and difficulties in transferring him to a higher-level facility, the patient's family almost accepted the initial advice from the lower-level hospital to remove the eye.

Dr. Hoang (sixth from the left) receives the first prize for best speaker at the 2025 Vietnam Ophthalmology Conference.

After consulting with experts, Dr. Hoang decided to choose the conservative surgical approach – a challenging but humane decision. The surgery was divided into two stages: The first was to repair the eyeball to preserve its anatomical shape; the second, after about 10 days, involved removing the entire blood clot, extracting the fallen lens, and implanting an artificial lens.

After more than six months of treatment and monitoring, the patient gradually recovered their vision and was able to walk and carry out normal activities. More importantly, the eye was preserved, helping to maintain facial harmony and preserving visual function, something the family had never dared to imagine before.

Beyond focusing on his professional expertise, Dr. Hoang actively shares new knowledge with colleagues through scientific seminars, nursing training, doctor orientation, and technology transfer. He adapts updated knowledge from central hospitals to suit the hospital's specific conditions, helping to reduce costs, minimize invasive procedures, and provide tangible benefits for patients.

Ms. Le Thi Thu Trang, Head Nurse of the General Treatment Department, commented: “Dr. Hoang is a young doctor with strong capabilities and expertise, capable of performing many difficult surgeries. In his work, he is always enthusiastic and willing to share his experience and professional skills with his colleagues.”

With his professional contributions and high sense of responsibility, Dr. Doan Minh Hoang has consistently been awarded the title of "Outstanding Emulation Soldier" at the grassroots level for many years, and has received numerous Certificates of Commendation from the Chairman of the People's Committee of Hai Phong City and the Department of Health.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the port city, the image of the young doctor quietly working in the operating room, patiently attending to each case and each pair of eyes, is a clear testament to the journey of "struggling to grow" and equipping himself with solid knowledge to preserve the sight of the people in his homeland.

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The residency program is the highest and most rigorous postgraduate training program for recent graduates of regular medical schools, under the age of 27. Over three years, they study theory while simultaneously working and serving in major hospitals to accumulate clinical experience, and are considered the "elite" of the medical field.

THANH NGA

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/bac-si-noi-tru-nhan-khoa-duy-nhat-o-hai-phong-536784.html