A trip to Vietnam and a lifelong commitment to staying.
Every morning, Virginia Mary Lockett (an American citizen) rides her motorbike more than 9km to the Da Nang Traditional Medicine Hospital to begin her workday.
In the hospital's rehabilitation room, the 73-year-old physical therapist bends down, guiding each patient and instructing them step-by-step in exercises, teaching them how to control their bodies. Virginia also often brings along the back braces she sews herself to give to the patients.
Ms. Virginia examines a patient at the Da Nang Traditional Medicine Hospital (Photo: Provided by the subject).
At the hospital, there is a bronze statue depicting Virginia, in honor of her quiet contributions to the field of physiotherapy.
"I am pleased to see the skills of doctors and specialists in Vietnam improving," said Virginia.
Previously, when she was in the United States, Virginia began her career as a physical therapist. Her stable job allowed her and her husband to live comfortably. Later, they decided to move abroad and adopt a child.
In 1995, during a trip to Vietnam to complete the adoption process, she discovered that the healthcare system was quite inadequate. She noticed that many cases of fractured femurs and patients with sequelae from strokes were not receiving proper treatment.
A statue depicting Virginia is located at the Da Nang Traditional Medicine Hospital (Photo: Provided by the subject).
Carrying those thoughts and concerns back to the US, Virginia finally decided to leave her stable job and move to Vietnam, committing herself to this poor and challenging country.
In 2005, through an appeal from the HVO (Health Volunteer Overseas) organization, she volunteered at the Da Nang Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Hospital for three weeks. This experience made her realize that short-term volunteer trips are unlikely to create lasting change for the field of physiotherapy and rehabilitation.
Therefore, the couple decided to establish the non-profit organization Steady Footsteps to support rehabilitation for people with disabilities, creating connections to help them return to normal life.
"I sold my house in the US to cover my living expenses in Vietnam. Many people thought it was a crazy decision, but it was the right one for us, as we truly wanted to dedicate ourselves to the work we had chosen," Virginia shared.
A statue of "Western woman" is erected at a traditional Vietnamese hospital.
By 2010, Virginia had become a physiotherapist at the Da Nang Traditional Medicine Hospital. There, she directly treated patients and guided the medical staff and specialists in establishing systematic rehabilitation programs. This contributed to creating an effective rehabilitation ecosystem for patients with post-accident sequelae in the region.
Ms. Virginia was awarded the "Contribution to Da Nang" award by the Da Nang City People's Committee in March of this year (Photo: Provided by the subject).
Virginia has also been invited to teach at numerous physical therapy training courses. With over 30 years of professional experience in the United States and 20 years in Vietnam, she has contributed to improving the professional capacity of many generations of therapists.
Gradually, the quality of rehabilitation treatment for patients with sequelae of stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, and musculoskeletal disorders has improved significantly. Many of them have reintegrated into the community after treatment.
Her greatest joy is witnessing young therapists mature and become capable of helping patients recover. There are patients who were bedridden in the hospital for decades, but thanks to advancements in therapy, they are now able to walk on their own.
“Most notably, one patient with spinal cord injury was able to walk without a walker for the first time in 12 years. Another patient, paralyzed in both legs for 8 years, was able to transfer from bed to wheelchair independently without needing their mother to carry them. Witnessing the patients and their families burst into tears of joy, I was also deeply moved.”
"Besides that, I greatly admire the Vietnamese therapists who have been with me. They were all chosen based on their compassion, openness, and sense of responsibility," Virginia said.
Sharing her thoughts on her work of over 50 years, Virginia concluded that those who choose this profession must have a genuine desire to help others overcome pain and illness.
Ms. Virginia Mary Lockett also had the honor of receiving the Friendship Order awarded by the President of Vietnam (Photo: Provided by the subject).
Furthermore, she asserted that when pursuing a career in medicine, one must understand that academic studies only provide a theoretical foundation, while skills need to be honed throughout life. After years of studying in university, Virginia affirmed that a doctor only truly begins learning when they step into a hospital and interact directly with patients.
Despite the demanding nature of her work, Virginia says that patients' recovery is one of the motivations that keeps her passionate about healing and saving lives.
She is currently working to advocate for more policies that would open up long-term internship programs to enhance the capabilities of neuro-rehabilitation specialists.
"Therapists need a healthcare system that supports and encourages individualized treatment, rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all approach," Virginia enthusiastically stated.
Source: https://dantri.com.vn/lao-dong-viec-lam/tam-ve-mot-chieu-den-viet-nam-cua-nu-bac-si-my-20250904133416900.htm
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