Growing up in Vietnam, Dinh Minh Thinh witnessed a healthcare landscape full of potential yet marked by striking inequalities. In many rural areas, receiving timely medical care often feels like a matter of chance, much like “flipping a bottle.” This reality became painfully clear to Thinh during his volunteer work at hospitals, where he encountered children with congenital heart disease who were diagnosed too late for effective treatment. The emotional weight of these encounters shaped his mission: to become a nurse who brings compassionate, high-quality care to underrepresented communities and uses technology to expand access for all.

 

To strengthen his clinical foundation and prepare for a future in nursing, Thinh did volunteer at Ball Memorial Hospital—a respected community hospital and tertiary referral center for east central Indiana, as an intern. Over the course, Thinh played an active role in patient care while learning from experienced nurses and healthcare teams.

 

During his internship, Thinh provided direct, hands-on support to patients, including monitoring vital signs, assisting with bathing and feeding, and helping with daily activities to promote comfort, dignity, and recovery. He learned from nurses and medical staff, contributing to coordinated care plans and ensuring each patient received thoughtful, attentive support. These experiences not only help him understand clinical skills but also affirmed his belief that effective healthcare must combine technical proficiency with empathy, communication, and teamwork.

 

Working at Vietnam Health Helpers (VNHEALTH), Thinh continues to pursue his vision of a more equitable healthcare system. He is committed to using his training, lived experiences, and passion for service to help close the gaps in care that too many Vietnamese families face. Through every patient interaction and community project, Thinh works toward a future where no child’s chance at recovery depends on luck, but instead on accessible, compassionate, and innovative healthcare.