Dr. Thomas Harvey first met Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hai nearly 20 years ago,
when Dr. Hai was an ophthalmology resident in Hue, Vietnam, during
the early years of Dr. Harvey’s medical mission work. What began as
a professional connection quickly grew into a close friendship, and
today Dr. Harvey considers him like a brother.

Through his work ethic, intelligence, and commitment to advancing eye
care, Dr. Hai has helped build successful academic ophthalmology
practices in Vietnam’s Central Highlands. He now serves as Head of
the Department of Ophthalmology at Buon Ma Thuot Medical University
in Dak Lak Province.

With support from AmeriNam Healing, Dr. Hai has continued to expand
his ophthalmic education over the years, completing observerships
with Dr. Harvey and other surgeons and taking part in major
international ophthalmology meetings. It reflects AmeriNam Healing’s
broader mission in Vietnam, which has never been limited to surgical
care during individual trips. There has always been an emphasis on
education, mentorship, and supporting local physicians who will
continue caring for their communities long after each mission ends.

During his recent visit to Wisconsin, we were honored to welcome
Dr. Hai to both Independent Vision Group and Independent Surgery
Center. His time with our teams was a chance to exchange ideas,
observe our clinical and surgical operations, and continue a
collaboration that has spanned nearly two decades. For our team,
it was also a chance to learn from his experience as a physician
and academic leader training the next generation of ophthalmologists
in Vietnam.

Nearly 20 years after they first met in Hue, Dr. Harvey and Dr. Hai’s
relationship continues to create opportunities for shared learning
on both sides of the world. We were proud to host him and celebrate
the physician, educator, department leader, colleague, and friend
he has become.

Learn more about AmeriNam Healing and its ophthalmology work:
https://amerinamhealing.org/#Opth