Teaching Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in Vietnam
Jeffrey R. LeSueur, MD, AAO-HNSF and the Alcon Foundation Resident Travel Grantee I recently participated in a facial plastic and reconstructive surgery conference in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon), Vietnam, thanks to a resident travel grant from the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery Foundation and the Alcon Foundation. As part of a medical team representing the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery’s (AAFPRS) FACE TO FACE program, I joined Academy members Albert J. Fox, MD, Alvin I. Glasgold MD, John M. “Mac” Hodges, MD, and Keith A. LaFerriere, MD. While there, our delegation performed a variety of surgeries, including facial plastic and reconstructive surgery for congenital and acquired deformities, the aging face, and facial trauma. The intent was to both instruct the local medical teams and provide a much-needed service to the underprivileged. The hosting facility was the Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy under the direction of Nguyen Thi Ngoc Dung, MD, while the procedures were performed at the ENT Hospital of Ho Chi Minh City and Nhan Dan Gia Dinh Hospital. In addition, lectures were given as part of the Facial Plastic Surgery Conference with more than 100 Vietnamese plastic and reconstructive surgeons in attendance. The relationship between Vietnam and the United States continues to improve as evidenced by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s multiple visits to the country in 2010.1 This strategic partnership is further strengthened through programs, such as FACE TO FACE and the Vietnam Education Foundation. I found the people in Vietnam to be gracious, friendly, and industrious individuals. We all felt a great sense of camaraderie among our surgical colleagues there. While in Vietnam, I realized the truthfulness of the statement: “surgical volunteerism is one of the things that define our profession as a noble one.” 2 I appreciate the AAO-HNSF’s continued support of residents and the efforts of the Humanitarian Committee to encourage ongoing volunteerism overseas. Through these experiences, we can recapture our sense of altruism and develop a greater a sense of sympathy—traits that contribute to overall satisfaction and counteract burnout. Can’t we all use a little more of that? References: U.S. Department of State. Remarks by Secretary Clinton: August 2011. Available at: http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2011/08/171323.htm. Accessed Dec 19, 2011. Chu, QD, et al. Surgical Volunteerism in Vietnam: Surgeons and Educators Strengthen the U.S. – Vietnam Relationship. Bull Am Coll Surg. 2011 Nov;96(11):12-18.
Jeffrey R. LeSueur, MD, AAO-HNSF and the Alcon Foundation Resident Travel Grantee

I recently participated in a facial plastic and reconstructive surgery conference in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon), Vietnam, thanks to a resident travel grant from the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery Foundation and the Alcon Foundation.
As part of a medical team representing the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery’s (AAFPRS) FACE TO FACE program, I joined Academy members Albert J. Fox, MD, Alvin I. Glasgold MD, John M. “Mac” Hodges, MD, and Keith A. LaFerriere, MD.
While there, our delegation performed a variety of surgeries, including facial plastic and reconstructive surgery for congenital and acquired deformities, the aging face, and facial trauma. The intent was to both instruct the local medical teams and provide a much-needed service to the underprivileged.
The hosting facility was the Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy under the direction of Nguyen Thi Ngoc Dung, MD, while the procedures were performed at the ENT Hospital of Ho Chi Minh City and Nhan Dan Gia Dinh Hospital. In addition, lectures were given as part of the Facial Plastic Surgery Conference with more than 100 Vietnamese plastic and reconstructive surgeons in attendance.
The relationship between Vietnam and the United States continues to improve as evidenced by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s multiple visits to the country in 2010.1 This strategic partnership is further strengthened through programs, such as FACE TO FACE and the Vietnam Education Foundation.
I found the people in Vietnam to be gracious, friendly, and industrious individuals. We all felt a great sense of camaraderie among our surgical colleagues there. While in Vietnam, I realized the truthfulness of the statement: “surgical volunteerism is one of the things that define our profession as a noble one.” 2
I appreciate the AAO-HNSF’s continued support of residents and the efforts of the Humanitarian Committee to encourage ongoing volunteerism overseas. Through these experiences, we can recapture our sense of altruism and develop a greater a sense of sympathy—traits that contribute to overall satisfaction and counteract burnout. Can’t we all use a little more of that?
References:
- U.S. Department of State. Remarks by Secretary Clinton: August 2011. Available at: http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2011/08/171323.htm. Accessed Dec 19, 2011.
- Chu, QD, et al. Surgical Volunteerism in Vietnam: Surgeons and Educators Strengthen the U.S. – Vietnam Relationship. Bull Am Coll Surg. 2011 Nov;96(11):12-18.