Dear Karen and Lifestart Foundation,
My name is Pham Quoc Bao and I have recently graduated in General Medicine from Danang University of Medical Technology and Pharmacy. Over the past two years, I have been deeply honored to be awarded the precious Lifestart Foundation scholarship.
In the final semester of my sixth year, I undertook two courses including the dissertation and graduation fieldwork. This period was filled with weekly hospital shifts, clinical practice and scientific research activities. For my dissertation, I conducted a study titled “Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy in Treating Kidney Stones at C Hospital in Danang.” This research aimed to assess both the efficacy and the contributing factors affecting outcomes of this modern, minimally invasive technique which is increasingly used in kidney stone treatment.
I had the opportunity to observe real-life kidney stone surgical procedures and patient care routines in the Department of General Surgery. This hands-on experience and engaging in discussions with doctors gave me a deeper and more practical understanding of my thesis topic, allowing me to align my research closely with real-life clinical practice. The biggest challenge I faced was time pressure, as my schedule was filled with clinical practice and hospital shifts, alongside the demanding tasks of processing data and reviewing relevant articles and research studies. Balancing the demands of clinical learning with academic research often left me feeling exhausted and overwhelmed. However, with the dedicated support of my thesis advisor and my own perseverance, I was able to effectively manage my clinical practice while conducting surveys and collecting data for my research.
On average, I dedicated an average of 6 to 10 hours per day to self-study, applying integrated learning methods to systematize knowledge. On weekends, I also shared what I had learned with peers and junior students through the Internal Medicine Club. I focused on completing my graduation thesis under the guidance of my advisor, starting the research immediately after my proposal was approved in the first semester. My research journey began during my clinical practice at the Department of General Surgery at Da Nang C Hospital. The doctors and nurses there were incredibly supportive, not only in guiding me through clinical examinations and in surgeries but also in helping me collect data for my thesis. My advisor provided me with consistent direction throughout the research process and helped review each section upon completion. He also offered valuable feedback throughout the whole process. When I had finished, I was honored to present my dissertation to the thesis defense committee where it was very well received. I earned a score of 9.5, the highest among all surgery-focused theses and I achieved a perfect GPA of 4.0 for the second semester. I feel truly happy and proud of these accomplishments, which are the result of months of effort and dedication shared between my advisor and me.
Looking back at my university journey, I am thrilled to share that I graduated in General Medicine with Distinction, earning a cumulative GPA of 3.52 out of a possible 4.0. This result exceeded my initial expectations when I first entered university, especially given the financial and academic challenges I faced early on. I am truly satisfied with this achievement not only as an academic result but also as a testament to my journey of overcoming adversity, my continuous efforts and the invaluable support of Lifestart Foundation. I am proud to have maintained strong motivation for learning, while also developing my professional ethics, communication and presentation skills throughout the past six years.
Following graduation, I prepared my application and studied to sit for the highly competitive Residency Entrance Exam in Internal Medicine. This examination included both basic medical subjects such as Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry and Medical Genetics and specialized Internal subjects including Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. To prepare for this, I committed to an intensive study plan, dedicating 12 to 14 hours each day to consolidating the foundational knowledge acquired over the past six years. My preparation included organizing review materials by topic, participating in study groups and practicing with past exam papers. Additionally, I actively sought guidance from former residency candidates to gain insights into the exam process and to refine my study strategies. Although it was a high-pressure period, I was determined to take on this challenge in pursuit of my dream to specialize in Internal Medicine which is a field I am deeply passionate about and committed to following in the long term.
In the near future, I plan to complete my residency exam and specialize in Internal Medicine, with the goal of becoming a doctor of high professional and ethical standing. I also hope to enroll in short-term advanced training courses in areas such as Stroke Management, aiming to contribute to both scientific research and clinical practice. Moreover, I intend to strengthen my proficiency in medical English so I can access international literature and participate in global medical conferences and research collaborations.
Before receiving the scholarship, my family of four lived in a mountainous commune in Phu Yen province. My parents are farmers, earning a meager income primarily from sugarcane cultivation. Unfortunately, frequent natural disasters have led to low crop yields and the situation has been further exacerbated by factories forcing down prices paid to farmers. These factors have pushed my family into even greater financial hardship. When my younger sister entered university in 2021, the financial burden of tuition for both of us became overwhelming. We were forced to take out significant student loans to cover our tuition and living expenses and I began to worry whether I could continue pursuing my dream of becoming a doctor while these expenses were increasing. Although I worked part-time in earlier years, by my third year, the demands of clinical practice made it nearly impossible to balance both study and work. My family’s student loan debt has exceeded 130 million VND. I was deeply concerned about the future, fearing that without any support, it would be extremely difficult for me to keep chasing my dream.
I vividly remember the moment I received the call informing me that I had been awarded the scholarship. I was overwhelmed with happiness and gratitude. It was a moment when I felt truly understood, supported and trusted by Lifestart Foundation. I still recall the sense of relief after the interview, where I had dared to speak honestly about myself, my academic goals and my family’s difficulties, all things I had long been hesitant to share with others. At the time of the call, I was doing my hospital internship and I could not contain my joy and deep gratitude, knowing that my dream now had a real hope of continuing.
The scholarship not only helped cover my tuition and living expenses but it also eased the financial burden on my parents and helped reduce our family’s debt. It allowed my parents to feel more secure about our future and motivated me to strive harder in both my studies and extracurricular activities. I have had the opportunity to pursue advanced learning, engage in scientific research, join academic competitions and lead the Internal Medicine Club. The care and encouragement from Ms. Karen and Lifestart Foundation have strengthened my belief in the path I have chosen.
Without the scholarship, I might have had to give up essential academic and research opportunities, or even take on part-time jobs that would interfere with my studies, negatively impacting both my academic performance and my ability to retain knowledge long-term as well as my dedication to pursuing my chosen field. My family would have incurred greater debt and emotional strain, potentially affecting their health. Most importantly, I might have lost the confidence and motivation to focus on my studies, club activities and research and my dream of becoming a resident doctor in Internal Medicine might have had to be postponed.
I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Ms. Karen and everyone at Lifestart Foundation. Your support has been more than just financial but also a source of strength and encouragement, allowing me to stay focused and confident in my journey to become a doctor. I am committed to continuing my education, upholding medical ethics in order to become a skilled and compassionate physician who serves my community, especially those in underserved areas where quality healthcare is still limited. In the future, when I am more established in my career, I hope to give back by joining Lifestart Foundation’s efforts to support other medical students, sharing my experiences and inspiring others facing similar challenges. I deeply appreciate the generosity and dedication of you all and sincerely hope Lifestart Foundation continues to thrive and create life-changing opportunities for many more students like me.
In closing, I wish Ms. Karen and Lifestart Foundation continued health, happiness and success in your inspiring mission of supporting the dreams of future generations.
Your sincerely,
Pham Quoc Bao