Traveling Scholar’s Report

Announcement from Frank D. Ferris , MD, FAAHPM, FAACE, Director, International Programs, The Institute for Palliative Medicine at San Diego and an IAHPC Board Member: “Dr. Thanh Quach Khanh graduated from the International Palliative Medicine Fellowship (IPMF) Program at the Institute for Palliative Medicine at San Diego Hospice. He is now a specialist in palliative medicine and running the Palliative Medicine Program at the Ho Chi Minh City Cancer Hospital in Vietnam.”

Dr. Holly Yang (on left), Director of the IPMF Program, and Dr. Thanh Quach Khanh

From Dr. Thanh Quach Khanh

To my dear teachers, mentors, colleagues and friends,

As the completion of my training approaches, and as I reflect upon my experiences here in San Diego, I realize how much good has been infused into my life during my time here. I can see how in the not too distant future my experience will impact the lives of my patients in Vietnam.  During the course of this training, we were able to establish the first palliative care department in Ho C hi M inh City. We also started a homecare program which is another cornerstone of our palliative effort. We have trained hundreds of doctors and nurses in Ho C hi M inh City and in all of Southern Vietnam. We have been able to bring peace, comfort, better pain control, and an improved quality of life to many of our patients and their families.

I couldn’t have accomplished this without the assistance from all of you.  To my international fellows and Leadership Development Initiative friends, I’m thankful for your stories and experiences and the lessons we have learned together.  I would like to thank Dr. Eric Krakauer for referring me to this wonderful program for he has been a great support to me during the past couple of years.  Thank you for your work, advice and effort in developing palliative care in Vietnam.  

I also wish to thank Dr. Frank Ferris, Dr. Holly Yang, Dr. Shanon Moor and San Diego Hospice Medicine for creating an excellent teaching and learning experience that provide d me with the necessary tools, knowledge and capability to work in the field of palliative care. You have not only educated me here in San Diego, but you have taken the time to teach many of my colleagues in Vietnam as well. I extend my thanks for your program and all who made it possible.

I also want to thank Liliana De Lima and the IAHPC for providing me with travel scholarships that made it possible for me to travel to San Diego 5 times during the course of this training.

I also want to extend my t hanks to the  Board of Directors and administrators in the Ho C hi M inh City Cancer Hospital for their trust and for providing me the opportunity to advance my knowledge and skills.  I’m also grateful to my family for their endless support.   

I look forward to future support and collaboration in order to continue to improve the healthcare and services to our patients in Vietnam.

Sincerely,

Khanh Quach, M.D.