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In today’s coffee chat, we sat down with Dr. Thuyet Nguyen, a dynamic force at the crossroads of medicine, technology & entrepreneurship. From his roots in rural Vietnam to leading edge projects in the U.S., Dr. Nguyen has committed his career to solving some of healthcare’s toughest challenges especially in underserved communities. Whether he’s building AI tools for diagnostics, launching microcredit-funded clinics or mentoring students through Open Avenues Build projects, his work reflects a rare blend of compassion, innovation and real-world impact.
A central part of his mission is empowering the next generation of global health leaders through his work with Open Avenues where he guides students in developing scalable, sustainable healthcare solutions through hands-on Build projects. These initiatives have turned classroom concepts into community-driven tools ranging from telemedicine strategies to fintech-based clinic models. Join us as he shares insights on making meaningful change in global health, the power of interdisciplinary thinking and how today’s students can turn bold ideas into lasting solutions.
A: It all started back in Vietnam, where I got my MD from Hanoi University of Medicine. Growing up there, I saw how rural areas struggled with basic healthcare – people couldn’t get to specialists, and resources were scarce. That lit a fire in me to fix those gaps, but I quickly realized medicine by itself wasn’t enough. I needed tech and business to make real, lasting change. That’s why I went for an MBA in Technology Management at Western Governors University. Tools like telemedicine and microcredit became my go-to for scaling solutions. Collaborating with U.S. doctors, like Dr. Johnny Delashaw on neurosurgical training for Vietnamese teams, showed me how blending these fields could empower entire communities. It’s shaped my work by letting me go beyond treating patients to building systems like remote clinics funded through small loans that keep helping long after I’m gone. Mentoring students in Open Avenues projects has been a highlight, turning their ideas into practical tools for global health.
A: I’ve bounced between cutting-edge labs working on AI diagnostics and boots-on-the-ground missions in rural Vietnam and the big lesson is that innovation sticks when it’s adaptable, community-driven, and built to last. Adaptability is huge, you can’t drop fancy tech into a place with spotty internet; it has to fit, like using basic mobile apps for telemedicine. Getting the community involved is non-negotiable; I’ve always looped in local providers, as I did with Dr. Randal Pham on Southeast Asia health strategies, to build trust and tailor things right. Sustainability seals the deal microcredit has been a game-changer in my projects, giving providers the funds to keep going without relying on outsiders. Skip any of these, and the idea fizzles. But get them right, and you see real change: telemedicine reaching thousands remotely, cutting down travel and costs in places that need it most.
A: AI is a total game-changer in healthcare, speeding up diagnostics and making care reachable where it’s been out of grasp. In my Chin Implant AI Evaluation Project at California Northstate University, we’re using AI to customize treatments from facial scans, cutting errors and making things cheaper.
For diagnostics, AI spots patterns in images or data that humans might miss, like early cancer signs huge for places without specialists. In care delivery, think AI chatbots or monitoring apps handling routine check-ins via phones, perfect for rural spots. For underserved folks, this levels the playing field; no more long waits or trips to cities. But we’ve got to watch for biases in data and privacy issues to avoid making gaps worse. Done right, AI could mean equitable healthcare worldwide, turning underserved areas into connected hubs.
A: If you’re a student eyeing healthcare innovation, zero in on access issues in rural areas—things like dental care shortages where ratios are way off, leading to avoidable health woes. Telemedicine is a quick win here; with today’s apps, you can link patients to specialists remotely. Sustainable funding for clinics is another big one microcredit, like what I’ve used in Vietnam, lets providers borrow small amounts to grow, and fintech makes it easy. Managing chronic diseases in low-resource spots is urgent too; smartphone apps for tracking diabetes or hypertension are doable now, easing hospital loads. Mental health access is exploding as a need; simple digital counseling platforms can scale fast. These are solvable because the tech—mobiles, AI, loans exist. In Open Avenues projects, students’ prototype these; start local, test, and partner up. It’s about adapting to what’s out there, not reinventing everything.
A: Mentoring students in Open Avenues Build projects on rural healthcare, I push for a resilient, team-oriented mindset rooted in empathy and trial-and-error. From idea to rollout, start with “Who’s this helping?” get into the shoes of underserved folks to make solutions matter. I want them to see setbacks as tweaks, like adjusting a microcredit plan after feedback. Teamwork is everything; healthcare wins with diverse input, so I encourage blending views, just like my U.S.-Vietnam collaborations. Break it down: research needs, prototype fast, test small, scale smart use tools like pitch decks to pitch ideas clearly. This builds not just projects but confidence for global health careers. At the core, treat innovation as helping others; that drive turns concepts into changes that stick.
A: Students often think global health or medical innovation means being a lone genius with a breakthrough idea or fancy degrees right away they figure without that, they can’t contribute. But really, it’s about steady effort, teamwork, and tweaking what’s already there. My path? MD in Vietnam, MBA later, starting with small training missions, not some eureka moment. I’d tell them: “You don’t need to create from scratch; adapt tools like telemedicine or microcredit to real gaps. Network, learn from flops, begin close to home—your first step could spark big shifts.” This flips fear to action, inviting more voices into the field.
A: From my collaborations, like training Vietnamese doctors with U.S. experts such as Dr. Johnny Delashaw, I’ve learned that bridging theory and practice starts with humility and hands-on immersion—dive into real settings to see how ideas play out. Students often grasp concepts in class but miss cultural or resource nuances; my advice is to seek fieldwork early, even volunteer trips, to test assumptions. Another lesson is building networks—innovation isn’t solo; partner across borders for diverse insights, so I encourage blending views, just like my work with Dr. Randal Pham on Southeast Asia health strategies. Practically, prototype small: start with a simple telemedicine pilot, gather feedback, iterate. Sustainability is key—bake in funding like microcredit so solutions endure. Finally, embrace failure as data; my early missions had setbacks, but they sharpened approaches. This mindset turns classroom knowledge into impactful careers, empowering students to create change that lasts.
Final Thoughts
At the heart of his work is a lesson that resonates far beyond the projects themselves. Dr. Thuyet Nguyen’s journey reminds us that meaningful healthcare innovation doesn’t begin in high-tech labs or boardrooms, it starts with empathy, adaptability, and a deep commitment to community. His work proves that when medicine, technology, and entrepreneurship come together with the right mindset, we can bridge gaps in access, empower local providers, and build systems that endure. For students and changemakers alike, Dr. Nguyen’s story offers a blueprint, start where you are, partner broadly, and never lose sight of the people you’re aiming to serve.
Danila Blanco Travnicek is the Director of Program Strategy & Evaluation at The Build Fellowship where she leads the education programming and its initiatives. She is a social entrepreneur who has been working tirelessly for over 10 years in the nonprofit sector to ensure more people have access to quality education. Danila holds a B.A in Business Management and a master's degree in Teaching and Nonprofit Management. She is a Professor at the University of Buenos Aires, an international speaker and facilitator and has managed and led programs with social impact in Latin America, U.S., Europe and Asia. She also received scholarships to study abroad in Finland, China and the United States.
Mazvita Maboreke is a Human Resources Analyst at Open Avenues Foundation. In her role, she leads initiatives that foster team development, professional growth, and a positive organizational culture. She focuses on designing and implementing programs around training, onboarding, team-building, and employee recognition—helping to cultivate a workplace that is both supportive and high-performing.
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