Attending on behalf of REI were Associate Professor Dr. Atul Dave Nagpal, a cardiovascular surgery and critical care specialist from Western University (Canada); Ms. Kathryn Lynn Cowie, a critical care nursing expert; and Ms. Tran Phuong Lien, Head of the REI Representative Office in Vietnam. Representing Bach Mai Hospital were Associate Professor Dr. Vu Van Giap, Vice Director of the hospital, along with leaders of institutes, centers, and participating doctors and nurses.

Over Three Decades of Sustained, Meaningful Collaboration

The partnership between Bach Mai Hospital and REI was established in the 1990s and has been maintained continuously since then, with significant expansion from 1997 through practical initiatives in training, expert exchange, and professional capacity building.

REI has supported the training of multiple generations of Vietnamese healthcare professionals in the United States across fields such as emergency medicine, surgery, stroke care, rehabilitation, and nursing management. In parallel, on-site training programs, technology transfer, and equipment support have contributed to improving healthcare quality and human resource development.

Strong Professional Impact from International Experts

As part of the 2026 collaboration, Ms. Kathryn Cowie-who has worked with the hospital for more than a decade-spent three weeks across multiple units, including the Cardiovascular Institute, Neurology Institute, Intensive Care Center, Stroke Center, Anesthesia and Critical Care Center, and Rehabilitation Center.

Training activities went beyond theory, focusing on bedside practice to enhance clinical skills, particularly in critical care, post-operative care, pain management, and early rehabilitation. The hands-on approach, with direct patient care involvement, enabled healthcare staff to effectively absorb and apply new knowledge in practice.

Through Ms. Cowie’s connection, Associate Professor Dr. Atul Dave Nagpal, a leading expert in cardiovascular surgery and surgical critical care, visited Bach Mai Hospital for the first time.

During his two-week stay, he delivered specialized lectures, participated in multidisciplinary consultations for complex cases, and shared advanced techniques such as ECMO, Impella, and IABP, along with strategies for post-cardiac surgery management. These sessions, combining theory and practice, attracted a large number of physicians both onsite and online.

A memorable message emphasized by the experts was: “Same patients, different weather”-highlighting that regardless of country, the responsibility and dedication of healthcare professionals to their patients remain unchanged.

From Capacity Building to Practice Transformation

A report from the Cardiovascular Institute indicated that the program has contributed to improving the management of critically ill cardiac patients, advancing heart failure programs, mechanical circulatory support, and optimizing post-operative care processes.

The professional content also supports the development of specialized treatment programs aimed at reducing complications and mortality while moving closer to international standards.

In nursing practice, the program has led to notable improvements, focusing on:

Enhancing nurses’ proactive role in early detection of abnormalities
Strengthening multidisciplinary coordination
Standardizing pain assessment, ventilator care, and early rehabilitation protocols
Improving communication with patients and their families
Recommendations from experts are currently being adopted across departments, with the goal of establishing standardized care protocols and promoting future research initiatives.

Toward Sustainable and Practical Collaboration

Speaking at the closing session, Associate Professor Dr. Vu Van Giap affirmed that the partnership with REI represents a model of effective, long-term collaboration. Beyond knowledge sharing, international experts have directly contributed to training and strengthening the hospital’s healthcare workforce.

In the coming period, Bach Mai Hospital aims to expand collaboration through a hybrid model combining in-person and online training, increasing expert exchange, promoting scientific research, and gradually aligning with advanced global medical standards.

The hospital also expressed its desire to continue receiving support from REI in connecting with international experts, expanding overseas training opportunities, and improving the quality of human resources.

Lasting Impact Beyond the Program

As the program concluded, the value brought by REI experts extended far beyond lectures and consultations. It has been reflected in tangible changes in clinical practice, professional thinking, and a culture of continuous learning among healthcare staff.

The collaboration between Bach Mai Hospital and REI continues to stand as a vivid example of effective international cooperation-where knowledge is shared, capacity is strengthened, and meaningful benefits are delivered to patients.