Why the owner of the international chemistry gold medal chose medicine

CHILDREN OF THE PATRIARCHAL FAMILY

In this year's "mosquito medicine" class (the affectionate name that seniors use to refer to first-year students - PV) of Hanoi Medical University, many new students achieved excellent admission results, with 85 students being directly admitted to the medical major. Among them, new student Nguyen Manh Khoi is a "special" case.

Nguyen Manh Khoi and his father at the opening ceremony of the new school year at Hanoi Medical University

Khoi is known to many teachers at Hanoi Medical University for his excellent academic achievements (2023 International Chemistry Gold Medal). He is also the son of a close colleague of theirs, Associate Professor Nguyen Manh Khanh, Deputy Director of Viet Duc Hospital, Head of the Department of Orthopedic Trauma Surgery (University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vietnam National University, Hanoi), who is known as the "golden hand" in the field of knee arthroscopic surgery in Vietnam.

Meeting us at the opening ceremony of the 2023-2024 school year, Associate Professor Khanh said he had just finished a surgery so he was late. Although he was very busy, his son's first opening ceremony at medical school was an event marking the first step on his son's journey to follow the family's career, so important that he wanted to be present. "This is a sacred moment for my extended family. 66 years ago, my father entered Hanoi Medical University, then it was my turn, 32 years ago. Now my son follows the path that my father and I have taken. I am truly grateful to him," Associate Professor Khanh said.

According to Associate Professor Khanh, Khoi's choice of medical profession was never imposed by his family. When he was young, his family only hoped that he would study well and be good at studying; as for which path he wanted to follow when choosing a career, the family did not interfere. "I think that the love for medicine came to Khoi naturally, just like it came to me. From the age of 4 to 5, I followed my parents around the campus of Hanoi Medical University, so I assumed that my life belonged to the medical world . My child is the same, since he was little, after school he would wander around Viet Duc Hospital waiting for his father to take him home," Associate Professor Khanh confided.

Although he is a famous expert in the field of knee arthroscopic surgery in Vietnam (with about 12,000 knee arthroscopic surgeries out of a total of more than 30,000 surgeries that he has successfully performed in more than 25 years of working in the medical profession - PV), Associate Professor Khanh believes that children do not necessarily have to study their father's major. "My father specializes in emergency resuscitation, I specialize in bones and joints. Children do not necessarily have to be like him or their father, but choose a specialty according to their strengths. Any specialty is to treat and save people," Associate Professor Khanh shared.

: Nguyen Manh Khoi spoke at the first meeting of the school year between the leaders of Hanoi Medical University and excellent new students.

LIKE TO CHOOSE THE PATH... HARD

Sharing with Thanh Nien Newspaper, Nguyen Manh Khoi confirmed that it was true that his grandfather's (Doctor Nguyen Manh Tai, former Deputy Head of the Respiratory Department, Bach Mai Hospital - PV) and father's professions greatly influenced Khoi's future career choice. "When I was young, my grandfather had a clinic at home. I really liked observing the way he communicated with patients, and saw that my grandfather was very happy because everyone loved him. But at that time, I didn't think about what career I would have in the future, I just focused on studying well," Khoi said.

In primary and secondary school, Khoi was generally good at all subjects. But the subject that interested him the most was chemistry. Partly because his father was a chemistry major, he instilled in him the enthusiasm right from the very first steps. Therefore, when he took the 10th grade entrance exam, he passed and entered the chemistry class at the High School for the Gifted in Natural Sciences (University of Natural Sciences, Vietnam National University, Hanoi).

With his outstanding learning ability, Khoi was selected to join the national excellent student competition early. In grade 11, he won first prize in the national excellent student competition in chemistry; in grade 12, he continued to win first prize nationally, then was selected to join the national team to participate in the 2023 International Chemistry Olympiad (held in Switzerland) and won a gold medal.

Professor Nguyen Huu Tu, Principal of Hanoi Medical University, and four excellent new students, who are students who won medals at international Olympic competitions (Nguyen Manh Khoi is second from right)

Khoi said: "When I was in 10th grade, I knew for sure that I dreamed of becoming a doctor, following in the footsteps of my grandfather and father. In 11th grade, after winning first prize in the national chemistry competition, I knew that my dream had come true (because I would be admitted directly to the medical school at Hanoi Medical University - PV). But I still wanted to continue to test myself, and in 12th grade, I still strived to study really well to be able to compete internationally."

In fact, Khoi was also hesitant, because he loved chemistry so much, he just wanted to stick with this subject forever. But then his dream of pursuing a medical career, including the family love factor, urged him to choose a medical career. "If I become a chemical researcher, I will only work in the lab, with very little contact with the outside world. But if I become a doctor like my grandfather and father, I will be able to meet more people, and receive the joy that the profession brings directly and regularly," Khoi shared.

Associate Professor Khanh said: "After knowing that my child was determined to choose a medical career, I shared more so that he understood that working in the medical field is extremely hard, but if he has passion, he can overcome everything. The results of a doctor's work directly affect the patient, that is priceless value. This is the motivation for me to be excited and enthusiastic about the profession."

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