Portrait of the first female Deputy Director of Hue Central Hospital

(CPV) - In a friendly interview, a reporter from the Communist Party of Vietnam Online Newspaper talked with Master, Doctor, Associate Professor, Dr. Hoang Thi Lan Huong, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Deputy Director of Hue Central Hospital. Dr. Huong is the first female leader of Hue Central Hospital after 130 years of establishment.

Dedicated to caring for and protecting the health of patients

The story of Ths. BSCKII. Hoang Thi Lan Huong, with the gentle image of a woman in a white blouse, clearly depicts the dedication and love she has for medical work. Not only professional knowledge, but also sacrifice, patience and sincere care for each patient. Her warm voice seems to soothe all worries, bringing faith and hope to those in need of care. The path she has chosen is not just a career, but a humane journey, filled with love and sharing.

Ths. BSCKII. Hoang Thi Lan Huong - Deputy Director of Hue Central Hospital at the Ceremony to honor outstanding scientific intellectuals of Thua Thien Hue province in 2024

In 1993, after graduating from the General Medicine major at Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, she worked at the Internal Medicine Department A2, Hue Central Hospital, which was then a Grade I hospital. "As a united group, we love each other very much, we often call it the Internal Medicine Family A2. The love for patients and the responsibility of a physician are the motivation for us to try our best every day. I often confide in my colleagues and brothers and sisters in the department: "When sick, patients come to the doctor. At these times, they always feel insecure, worried and vulnerable. Therefore, we must put ourselves in the patient's shoes to share, encourage, comfort and devote ourselves to the patient to get the best treatment results even though we know that we will have to work harder," Ms. Huong shared.

Prof. Dr. Pham Nhu Hiep, Director of Hue Central Hospital said: As an Internal Medicine doctor specializing in Respiratory Medicine, MSc. BSCKII. Hoang Thi Lan Huong is one of the first people to deploy the Bronchoscopy technique at the Hospital. This is an invasive technique, supporting clinicians a lot in diagnosing and treating respiratory diseases, especially with the technique of removing foreign bodies from the airway through flexible bronchoscopy. Thereby, many emergency cases of foreign bodies in the airway have been saved without the need for complicated interventions such as rigid bronchoscopy or open surgery; helping to reduce the burden of disease as well as the pressure of treatment costs.

MSc. BSCKII. Hoang Thi Lan Huong (yellow shirt, 6th from right) at the 2023 Vietnam Women's Awards Ceremony.

Diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are on the rise and becoming younger. To equip patients with the necessary knowledge for outpatient care and treatment, Dr. Huong has pioneered the organization of Diabetes Clubs; Asthma and COPD Clubs at facilities to help patients better comply with outpatient treatment, improve their quality of life, reduce hospitalization rates, and reduce treatment costs.

These achievements are a solid foundation for Dr. Huong to complete the provincial-level project "Research on the situation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the community of Thua Thien Hue" in 2023.

The continuous development of modern medicine has urged Dr. Hoang Thi Lan Huong to constantly improve her expertise, update new knowledge and conduct scientific research to improve the quality of patient care and treatment. Over the years, she has chaired and participated in over 30 scientific research projects at the State, Ministry, Provincial and grassroots levels with high applicability, contributing to improving the quality of patient care and treatment in related specialties at Hue Central Hospital.

In addition, the female Deputy Director of the hospital is very active in training and directing doctors at lower-level hospitals in the fields of Respiratory Medicine and Endocrinology. She participates in teaching students and postgraduates at Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Duy Tan University, and participates in chairing and reporting at many conferences and seminars on Endocrinology and Respiratory Medicine...

At the same time, as Vice President of the Trade Union, Head of the Women's Union, she is very active in social, humanitarian and charitable activities, demonstrating the spirit of mutual love such as: voluntary blood donation, organizing medical examination and treatment activities, providing free medicine, organizing gift giving, supporting children with serious and incurable diseases at the Hospital, orphans in Thua Thien Hue province with difficult circumstances, organizing cultural activities, giving gifts to children on International Children's Day June 1; Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival, Christmas or traditional New Year of the nation, Pink Birthday for children with cancer; Hair Donation - Spreading Love programs, Hair Library, Organizing activities on International Women's Day March 8, Vietnamese Women's Day October 20, Yoga Club for female cancer patients at Hue Central Hospital...

Doctor Hoang Thi Lan Huong visits and encourages patients.

Doctor CKII Duong Anh Quan, Chairman of the Trade Union, Director of the Eye Center of Hue Central Hospital said: Doctor Hoang Thi Lan Huong is not only excellent in her expertise with many years of experience but is also one of the pioneers in medical innovation initiatives, making her mark in improving the quality of medical examination and treatment. Her calm and compassionate personality is a great inspiration to her colleagues. At the same time, she also demonstrates a high sense of responsibility in all situations, making the medical team always admire and trust her. “During stressful times such as epidemics and health crises, Ms. Huong always accompanies the medical team, directly participating in difficult cases and solving complex situations. She organizes meetings to share and listen to everyone's opinions, helping medical staff feel encouraged and respected. Her leadership style not only focuses on solving problems, but also promotes solidarity and creativity at work. These actions have helped the entire team maintain a positive spirit even during the most challenging times.” - Dr. Duong Anh Quan shared.

According to Dr. Duong Anh Quan, under the leadership of the Hospital Board of Directors, including Dr. Huong, Hue Central Hospital has implemented many modern treatment methods and applied new technologies to health care. Thanks to that, the work process has been optimized, reducing waiting time for patients and improving treatment efficiency. She and the hospital leaders pay special attention to human resource development, proposing continuous training programs for young doctors and nurses, helping them improve their professional skills and develop their careers. The open and professional working culture built by the Board of Directors has created an environment that encourages creativity and innovation, making the hospital one of the leading medical facilities in the region. The efforts of Dr. Hoang Thi Lan Huong and the Board of Directors have not only created a turning point for the hospital but also affirmed the position of Hue Central Hospital in the national health system.

Talking about Deputy Director Hoang Thi Lan Huong, Specialist Nurse Phan Canh Chuong, Head of Nursing Department of Hue Central Hospital affirmed that, with the role of a government and union manager in an agency with more than 3,000 employees, she is always close, listening to feedback or suggestions from doctors, nurses, and workers in the units to encourage or find appropriate solutions to support promptly; thereby motivating everyone to perform their best role in each working position. It is these seemingly simple tasks that are the source of motivation and inspiration for the younger generation, especially women. Many female doctors and nurses of Hue Central Hospital have recently boldly participated in management work, social activities, and studying to improve their professional qualifications. These are the positive changes that Dr. Huong has inspired them to.

The silent sacrifices

The sacrifice of a female doctor with more than 30 years of dedication to the medical profession is a symbol of dedication and love for the profession. Ths. BSCKII. Hoang Thi Lan Huong has continuously cared for and treated countless patients, regardless of day or night or harsh challenges. For her, the health and well-being of patients are always the top priority. Not only is she good at her profession, she is also a dedicated person, constantly learning and improving her professional qualifications to bring the best treatment results.

That silent sacrifice has contributed significantly to protecting and caring for public health, becoming a shining example in the medical industry.

“The radiant faces of patients or the thank you letters when patients are healthy and discharged from the hospital are our greatest joy and happiness,” Dr. Huong shared with her eyes shining with emotion. For her, these are not just words, but also recognition and proof of the efforts and hearts of the medical team; adding motivation and strength for them to continue to strive tirelessly for the patients.

Doctor Hoang Thi Lan Huong and her colleagues built a Yoga Club for female cancer patients at Hue Central Hospital.

Ms. Huong said: “Female medical staff are those who have to suffer and sacrifice a lot. We have to stay up all night to care for and treat patients; we cannot be with our families on holidays and Tet... or we have to work hard to contribute to the fight against the recent COVID-19 pandemic. I am also very proud of my female colleagues, they always stand side by side with their male colleagues in all activities of caring for and treating patients as well as making important contributions to the construction and development of Hue Central Hospital...”.

She recalled a memory during a winter shift, her first daughter, who was just over 1 year old, got sick, had a high fever and cried for her mother all night, refusing to sleep. After stabilizing the patient, she asked her colleague on duty to help her for a while so she could run home. The image of her daughter running out to hug her mother, tears streaming down her face, one hand holding her mother's photo, the other tightly hugging her mother's shirt to breathe in some familiar warmth made her heart ache with pity for her child. "I quickly hugged my daughter, lulled her to sleep and returned to the hospital to continue my duties. Mothers can accept sacrifices and hardships for themselves, but it's very pitiful for children to suffer...", Ms. Huong said.

She confided that if the family is considered the cell of society, then women are considered the nucleus of this cell. Women not only take care of the family materially but also light the fire of love, faith, dreams, and hopes for each family member. "Men build houses, women build homes" even though over time, the standards of women change, but the role of "lighting the fire" and "keeping the fire" for the family of women never changes.

According to Prof. Dr. Pham Nhu Hiep, Director of Hue Central Hospital, like many women in the medical profession, in order to be “good at public affairs and good at family affairs”, Dr. Huong must always try to scientifically and harmoniously arrange her work at the agency with her management work, professional work, scientific research work… and family work to build a happy family and raise good, filial children who achieve high academic achievements. Her eldest grandchild has followed in her parents’ footsteps and become a resident physician specializing in Ophthalmology.

Doctor Hoang Thi Lan Huong shared: The work of taking care of patients' health not only requires high expertise, but female nurses and doctors often have to sacrifice personal time, be away from their families, face health risks and prolonged mental stress. Although they always show resilience and dedication, hidden worries are always present - from job safety to how to balance family life and work. As the female Deputy Director of the Hospital, she always listens and shares with them, not only showing respect but also contributing to building a humane working environment.

Doctor Hoang Thi Lan Huong organized a gift giving event to support children with serious illnesses at Hue Central Hospital and orphans in Thua Thien Hue province with difficult circumstances.

With her tireless efforts, Ths. BSCKII. Hoang Thi Lan Huong was honored to be awarded the noble titles by the Party, the State, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, and the Health Sector Trade Union: Excellent Physician; Medal for People's Health, for the Young Generation, for the Party's Inspection Cause; Emulation Fighter at the Ministry level, Certificate of Merit from the Prime Minister in 2011, the President awarded the Third Class Labor Medal in 2019; Title of Outstanding Female Intellectual in the Health Sector by the Vietnam Association of Female Intellectuals in March 2023.

In particular, in November 2023, MSc. BSCKII. Hoang Thi Lan Huong was honored to be one of 9 individuals nationwide to be awarded the 2023 Vietnam Women's Award. This is a prestigious award recognizing the dedication, talent, and creativity of Vietnamese women in all areas of social life, for the equality and comprehensive development of Vietnamese women, contributing to the cause of building and defending the Fatherland. Recently, she and her colleagues were awarded the first Hue Ancient Capital Women's Creativity Award in 2024.

According to Prof. Dr. Pham Nhu Hiep, in her role as Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Deputy Director in charge of professional matters since July 2017, Dr. Hoang Thi Lan Huong is the first and only female leader of Hue Central Hospital after 130 years of establishment. Dr. Huong always upholds the exemplary role of a leader and manager; together with comrades in the Party Committee Standing Committee and the Board of Directors, she directs, operates, manages, and builds the hospital to develop more and more. In recent times, the Hospital has achieved many outstanding achievements, mastered many advanced medical techniques, and the quality of medical examination and treatment has been increasingly improved.

Hue Central Hospital has been honored by the Party and State with the noble title of Hero of Labor in the renovation period, and the First Class Independence Medal (for the second time). According to the health facility network planning for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, recently approved by the Prime Minister, Hue Central Hospital will be upgraded to international standards, attracting foreigners to come for medical examination and treatment./.

Source: https://dangcongsan.vn/thi-dua-yeu-nuoc/guong-sang-dang-vien/chan-dung-nu-pho-giam-doc-dau-tien-cua-benh-vien-trung-uong-hue-680981.html