Old man received his medical degree with honors at the age of 75.

old man - Photo 1.

Mr. Pham Ngoc Hong (left) received his medical degree at the age of 75 - Photo: NGUYEN BAO

Before receiving his honors degree in traditional medicine from Hoa Binh University at the age of 75, Mr. Hong graduated with a bachelor's degree in nursing and a bachelor's degree in pharmacy from two other universities at the age of over 60.

The old man has 3 university degrees in medicine and pharmacy.

On the morning of August 15, Hoa Binh University held a graduation ceremony for 396 new doctors, pharmacists and bachelors. Among them, Mr. Pham Ngoc Hong (75 years old, from Phu Tho - former Vinh Phuc province) was introduced by the school as the oldest new doctor to receive a graduation certificate this time.

Speaking with Tuoi Tre Online, Mr. Hong said the medical degree he just received is the third regular university degree he has achieved.

Before that, at the age of 62, he received his first university degree in nursing from Nam Dinh Nursing University (4 years of study). At the age of 68, he received his bachelor's degree in pharmacy from Thanh Do University (5 years of study).

"When I was young, my family was poor so I didn't have the opportunity to study, then I joined the army. Now I have the opportunity to satisfy my passion for studying, gain more knowledge and experience.

I hope to use the skills I have learned to save the lives of patients. Every time I treat patients with serious or incurable diseases and they recover or improve, I feel extremely happy and joyful.

That is also the motivation for me to continue studying," said Mr. Hong.

old man - Photo 2.

Mr. Hong at the graduation ceremony on the morning of August 15 - Photo: NGUYEN BAO

Spread the spirit of lifelong learning

Having studied at many schools, for Mr. Hong, pursuing a doctorate in traditional medicine was "not too difficult" because he had a lot of practical experience, especially with clinical subjects.

In addition to being the class's deputy monitor, he is proud to be one of the most regular students in the school, having only missed one day of school in 6 years.

"For important majors, missing a day will be a big gap, a disadvantage for students," he said.

To keep up with accumulating and updating medical knowledge, he said he always keeps the habit of reading books, reading at least 10 pages of professional books every day.

"Age is not a barrier to learning, it is just an excuse to justify not trying. There are young people who really want to drop out of school, but when they see me over 70 still going to school, they say they want to drop out, but seeing you still going to school, we don't want to drop out anymore and have to follow you.

Seeing that, I was also very happy," Mr. Hong said.

Besides opening an oriental medicine clinic in Hanoi, Mr. Hong said he has participated in many social activities.

He was the chairman of the Hanoi Oriental Medicine Leadership Club (2012-2014), chairman of the Tay Ho District Oriental Medicine Association (2010-2024), and is currently the permanent vice chairman and general secretary of the Thang Long Acupuncture Association, Hanoi.

Mr. Hong's education has always been supported by his family. He said his daughter has also graduated with 4 university degrees.

He plans to study law in the near future and pursue a doctorate.

"The world needs doctors to treat people, and the legal profession to protect people. I want to do both," he said.

152 first class of traditional medicine doctors graduated

Of the 396 students of Hoa Binh University who were awarded their diplomas this time, 9 students achieved excellent results, 155 students achieved good results, 206 students achieved good results, and 26 students achieved average results. The graduation rate for the entire course was 84.8%.

Notably, this batch has 152 traditional medicine doctors from the first class of the school graduating, among them, the youngest new doctor is 24 years old.

New doctor Pham Ngoc Hong is the oldest at 75 years old.

NGUYEN BAO

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/cu-ong-nhan-bang-tot-nghiep-bac-si-loai-gioi-o-tuoi-75-20250815160826828.htm