Meritorious Physician, MSc. Specialist Level II Dr. Lê Huy Thạch: From scientific excellence to a lifelong commitment to serving the community

Beyond his distinguished clinical and academic accomplishments, Dr. Lê Huy Thạch is also an innovative healthcare administrator, known for his visionary leadership, steadfast commitment to healthcare excellence, and profound devotion to the noble profession of medicine. His compassion, integrity, and wholehearted dedication to patients have earned him widespread respect among colleagues and the community alike.

A Physician guided by medical ethics and an enduring aspiration to advance public health

Born and raised in the sun-drenched, wind-swept land of Phan Rang - a place that nurtured resilience, determination, and perseverance - Dr. Lê Huy Thạch developed an early aspiration to become a physician, dedicating his knowledge and medical ethics to healing patients while contributing to the development of his hometown. Driven by a deep passion for healthcare, particularly pediatric medicine and the well-being of children, he chose Pediatrics as his lifelong specialty and has remained committed to this field throughout his professional career. Beginning his journey as a general practitioner, he subsequently completed advanced postgraduate training, earning Specialist Level II qualifications in Pediatrics and Healthcare Organization and Management, as well as a Master of Medical Science degree, thereby establishing a strong foundation in both clinical medicine and healthcare leadership. Over more than three decades of professional practice, Dr. Lê Huy Thạch has established himself not only as an accomplished pediatrician but also as a dedicated medical researcher whose studies have generated significant practical value in both pediatric medicine and healthcare management.

With over 30 years of devoted service to medicine, Dr. Lê Huy Thạch has led and contributed to numerous research projects whose findings have been translated into clinical practice, benefiting tens of thousands of patients. Working alongside healthcare professionals throughout Ninh Thuận Province, he has also played a pivotal role in the development of Ninh Thuận Provincial General Hospital, culminating in its recognition as a Grade I General Hospital in 2020. His professional achievements are founded upon rigorous academic training at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City. During his secondary school years, he had already envisioned wearing the white coat of a physician. Through years of perseverance, disciplined study, and continuous professional development, that aspiration became reality. Following his graduation as a medical doctor from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City in 1991, Dr. Thạch made a remarkable decision. Rather than remaining in Ho Chi Minh City - Vietnam's foremost center for advanced medical science and technology - he returned to his home province to join Ninh Thuận Provincial General Hospital, dedicating his knowledge, expertise, and youthful enthusiasm to improving healthcare services for the local community. After nine years of exemplary professional performance, he was selected in 2000 to pursue postgraduate education, enabling him to further strengthen his clinical expertise and gain access to modern medical technologies. In 2002, he earned his Master of Medical Science degree from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City before once again returning to Ninh Thuận Province to continue serving his community. In 2018, Dr. Lê Huy Thạch was awarded the title of Provincial Emulation Fighter in recognition of his provincial-level research project entitled "Hospital-Acquired Infections and Associated Risk Factors at Ninh Thuận Provincial General Hospital, 2016 - 2017" . The study successfully identified major risk factors for healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and characterized the predominant microbial pathogens responsible for nosocomial infections within the hospital. Based on these findings, the project proposed comprehensive infection prevention and control (IPC) interventions and evidence-based recommendations for antimicrobial stewardship to help combat multidrug-resistant organisms responsible for hospital-acquired infections. The research has enabled clinicians to make more appropriate, targeted antibiotic selections, thereby improving treatment outcomes for hospitalized patients. Furthermore, this provincial research project led to the development and implementation of a computerized infection surveillance database, significantly enhancing the hospital's capacity for infection monitoring, epidemiological investigation, timely intervention, and reporting of healthcare-associated infections.

Throughout his distinguished medical career, marked by numerous noteworthy contributions, Dr. Lê Huy Thạch has remained unwaveringly devoted to the medical profession. Renowned for his innovative thinking and commitment to evidence-based medicine, he has consistently pursued research aimed at developing more effective diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to improve patient outcomes. Among his most significant scientific contributions is his pioneering research on Takayasu arteritis, a rare but potentially life-threatening chronic inflammatory vasculitis that primarily affects large elastic arteries, including the aorta, carotid arteries, and renal arteries. Motivated by the considerable challenges associated with diagnosing and treating this uncommon disease, Dr. Thạch devoted two years to conducting an in-depth study entitled "Clinical Characteristics of Takayasu Arteritis in Children". The study concluded that, in Vietnam, pediatric Takayasu arteritis predominantly affects children between 3 and 15 years of age, with a higher prevalence among girls than boys. Based on these findings, the research proposed appropriate diagnostic strategies, treatment protocols, and supportive management tailored to pediatric patients. Dr. Lê Huy Thạch is recognized as the first physician-scientist in Vietnam to conduct systematic research on pediatric Takayasu arteritis. To this day, the findings of his study continue to serve as an important clinical reference for the diagnosis and management of Takayasu arteritis across healthcare institutions nationwide. In recognition of this outstanding research, in 2004, Meritorious Physician, MSc. Specialist Level II Dr. Lê Huy Thạch received the Young Investigator Award from the Scientific Council of the Vietnam National Heart Association. His academic accomplishments subsequently earned him the trust of healthcare leaders, leading to appointments to numerous professional leadership and Party leadership positions at both departmental and hospital levels. In 2024, he was appointed Director of Ninh Thuận Provincial General Hospital.

In addition to his outstanding achievements in hospital administration, Dr. Lê Huy Thạch is a passionate medical scientist whose innovations and research have made significant contributions to Vietnam's healthcare sector. He has actively participated in the development of scientific programs and has led numerous research initiatives with substantial clinical and managerial impact. Between 2003 and 2025, he participated in 72 scientific research projects, including one provincial-level project, three university-level projects, ten international collaborative studies, and fifty-four institutional research projects. He served as principal investigator for 61 projects and as a research team member for three others. Many of these studies have been presented at national scientific conferences, accounting for 28 conference presentations, while 35 research papers have been published in domestic and international peer-reviewed medical journals. Beyond conducting research, Dr. Thạch has frequently served as a scientific presenter, session chair, and moderator at national medical and scientific conferences. His research has been consistently recognized by scientific review committees for its strong practical applicability and meaningful contribution to clinical practice. The successful implementation of his research projects has significantly enhanced clinical services, healthcare management, hospital leadership, and ultimately the quality of patient care.

Beyond his professional and academic responsibilities, Dr. Lê Huy Thạch has also devoted considerable attention to strengthening the hospital's organizational and professional development. He has actively guided and consolidated the activities of professional associations, youth organizations, and labor unions, with particular emphasis on nurturing young healthcare professionals and promoting the development of the next generation of physicians through practical and meaningful programs. Despite the demanding nature of his responsibilities, Dr. Thạch remains energetic, optimistic, and fully committed to his work. Together with his colleagues, he continues to dedicate himself wholeheartedly to patient care, striving to provide accurate diagnoses and evidence-based treatment plans that achieve the best possible clinical outcomes. His commitment to serving the community extends well beyond the hospital. He regularly participates in humanitarian medical outreach programs, providing free medical examinations, treatment, and medications to underserved populations in remote and socioeconomically disadvantaged areas. He has also actively supported educational initiatives for children from underprivileged backgrounds. These humanitarian activities have brought hope, improved health, and enhanced quality of life to many vulnerable communities.

In recognition of his outstanding and enduring contributions to healthcare, Dr. Lê Huy Thạch has received numerous prestigious honors and commendations from provincial authorities, central government agencies, and national professional organizations. Among the most distinguished recognitions is the honorary title of Meritorious Physician, conferred by the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in 2017 for his exceptional contributions to protecting and improving public health. His other honors include Certificates of Merit from the Ninh Thuận Provincial Party Committee (2017 and 2023), the Ninh Thuận Provincial People's Committee (2010, 2013, 2015, 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2025), the National Young Physicians Association (2017), and the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (2020). He has also been awarded numerous prestigious medals and commemorative distinctions, including the Honor Medal of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (1998), the "For the Young Generation" Medal (2000), the title of Provincial Emulation Fighter (2008), the Commemorative Medal for the Cause of Science and Technology (2022), the Commemorative Medal for National Security Protection (2025), and the Badge for the Cause of Building and Developing Ninh Thuận Province (2023). Most notably, in August 2024, Dr. Lê Huy Thạch was selected as one of 135 distinguished intellectuals, physicians, and scientists nationwide to be honored by the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations (VUSTA) as an Outstanding Scientist in Science and Technology 2024, recognizing his exceptional scientific achievements and enduring contributions to the advancement of healthcare and medical science in Vietnam.

A visionary healthcare leader driving innovation, excellence and sustainable development at Ninh Thuận Provincial General Hospital

Guided by a management philosophy centered on operational excellence and patient experience, Meritorious Physician, MSc. Specialist Level II Dr. Lê Huy Thạch, Director of Ninh Thuận Provincial General Hospital, has placed strong emphasis on optimizing clinical workflows and accelerating digital transformation throughout the hospital. Since assuming the position of Hospital Director in April 2024, Dr. Thạch has led the hospital in standardizing operational processes and progressively developing a smart hospital model. At the same time, he has established a set of core institutional principles that guide all activities: placing patients at the center of care, upholding the highest standards of medical ethics, fostering exemplary leadership, and strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration across the organization.

Building upon this strategic foundation, the hospital has prioritized continuous enhancement of clinical capacity through focused investment in key specialties, including critical care and emergency medicine, interventional cardiology, stroke management, diagnostic imaging, gastrointestinal endoscopy, surgery, and oncology. Professional development remains an institutional priority, with hundreds of physicians and healthcare professionals receiving advanced technical training and continuing medical education each year. These initiatives have significantly improved the quality of clinical care and strengthened the hospital's ability to meet the growing healthcare needs of the local population.

Driven by a strong commitment to community health, Dr. Lê Huy Thạch and the Hospital Executive Board have fundamentally transformed the hospital's operational model. Clinical excellence, patient-centered services, digital innovation, and strategic collaboration have become the four pillars underpinning the hospital's development strategy, all directed toward optimizing treatment outcomes and enhancing the patient experience.

During 2024-2025, the hospital successfully introduced numerous advanced medical technologies and specialized procedures transferred from leading tertiary referral hospitals, enabling thousands of patients to receive high-quality treatment locally without the need for referral to higher-level healthcare facilities. Advanced procedures - including knee arthroscopy, peripheral arterial stent implantation, spinal surgery, percutaneous laser lithotripsy, and endoscopic prostate surgery have now become routine clinical services at the hospital.

Through these transformative and sustainable initiatives, Ninh Thuận Provincial General Hospital has undergone a remarkable evolution, encompassing service quality, clinical excellence, technological innovation, and comprehensive digital transformation. The hospital is steadily reinforcing its position as a leading regional healthcare center, recognized for delivering high-quality, patient-centered medical services.

In parallel with strengthening hospital governance and improving clinical quality, Dr. Lê Huy Thạch has consistently promoted scientific research and medical education as strategic priorities for sustainable institutional development. The hospital regularly organizes specialized scientific conferences, academic symposia, and continuing medical education programs focusing on cardiology, psychiatry, pediatrics, and emerging medical technologies.

In 2025, Ninh Thuận Provincial General Hospital successfully hosted the Young Scientists Conference and collaborated with leading tertiary hospitals to organize 21 specialized scientific workshops, further promoting professional exchange and technology transfer. These academic activities have enabled the hospital's clinical teams to master numerous advanced techniques, improve the management of complex medical conditions, and continuously strengthen the institution's professional capacity, laying a solid foundation for sustained clinical excellence and future development.

Beyond strengthening its internal capabilities, Ninh Thuan General Hospital also plays a pivotal role as a leading hub in transferring medical techniques and expertise to lower-level healthcare facilities. With more than 150 training courses conducted, the hospital has made significant contributions to improving the capacity and quality of grassroots healthcare services. At the same time, Ninh Thuan General Hospital has taken the lead in digital transformation, emerging as one of the region’s pioneering healthcare institutions.

A notable achievement is that 100% of medical records have been digitized. Patients can now use their chip-embedded Citizen Identification Card for registration, payment, and access to their healthcare information. The hospital’s intelligent management software system, self-service KIOSKs, cashless payment solutions, and integration with the Health Insurance Medical Assessment Portal have helped reduce waiting times, enhance transparency, and strengthen data security. In particular, the “Electronic Health Record” application, launched at the end of 2024, enables patients to schedule medical appointments, receive prescriptions, and track their treatment history directly on their smartphones, marking a significant milestone in the hospital’s journey toward developing a smart healthcare system.

Alongside professional development, Meritorious Physician, MSc. Specialist Level II Dr. Lê Huy Thạch places special emphasis on building a comprehensive healthcare ecosystem that integrates physical treatment with psychological, emotional, and social support, aiming to improve patients’ quality of life and maximize their recovery outcomes. Accordingly, he has focused on strengthening professional organizations within the hospital, promoting the role of youth unions, young physicians, and trade unions, while gradually developing a professional social work team to provide patients with more comprehensive and humane support throughout their treatment journey. Despite the enormous workload, he continues to maintain a spirit of dedication, spreading positive energy and working closely with colleagues to provide the best possible care for every patient.

During my recent visit to Ninh Thuan General Hospital as part of the working program of Vietnam Integration Journal in several southern provinces and cities, I was deeply moved by a very special moment that left a lasting impression on me. In the main lobby of the hospital, Dr. Lê Huy Thạch – Director of Ninh Thuan General Hospital – personally greeted patients and their family members arriving for medical examinations. His warm eyes, gentle voice, and sincere manner reflected the care of a family member rather than merely the role of a hospital leader. When we learned that Dr. Lê Huy Thạch carries out this practice regularly every day and every week, we understood that these acts of care and personal interaction are not simply formal gestures. They come from his professional ethics, compassion, dedication to patients, and genuine respect and empathy for those seeking medical care. Witnessing that meaningful moment, I quietly observed him and followed him to the examination area. There, the dedicated hospital director, wearing the familiar white coat of a physician, personally examined patients, listened attentively, and provided clear explanations for each individual case. There was no distance between the hospital director and the patients. Without seeking recognition or displaying his position, Dr. Thạch continues to devote himself wholeheartedly to serving patients’ health and well-being - truly embodying the image of a physician trusted and loved by the people. My impression of Ninh Thuan General Hospital is also defined by the enthusiastic and responsible working atmosphere among its doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals, all united by the mission of protecting and improving public health. Today, Ninh Thuan General Hospital has developed into a modern, spacious, and comprehensive healthcare facility, with well-organized departments and clean, orderly clinical areas. The hospital’s reception staff provide professional, courteous, and compassionate service, with elegant uniforms and friendly smiles creating a welcoming atmosphere from the very first moment patients enter the main lobby, building trust and confidence among those seeking care.

All these images led me to reflect on a simple truth: when a leader is ethical, responsible, exemplary, and dedicated, the entire organization will be inspired to contribute with sincerity, commitment, and compassion. A hospital filled with kindness, empathy, and human values can provide patients with greater hope and confidence during their most vulnerable moments. With deep respect and admiration for the outstanding example of physicians devoted to the people, on behalf of patients from across the country, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to MSc. Specialist Level II Dr. Lê Huy Thạch and the entire medical team of Ninh Thuan General Hospital. Thank you for keeping alive the flame of medical ethics, compassion, and humanity; for your silent sacrifices, dedication, and heartfelt commitment to the noble profession of medicine. As the saying goes: “A hospital is not only a place where diseases are treated, but also a place where faith in humanity is restored”.

By Tien Duc