Executive Committee
HOC MAI VIET NAM CLUB
Phan Thi Hang
Head of Scholarship Committee
Dr Hang is an Obstetricians with special interests in Quality Control, Infection Control, Healthcare Quality Management, Information Technology. She is the Vice Director of Hung Vuong Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Her research publications in Vietnamese and International journals have informed and hence, profoundly influenced clinical practice in Patient Safety, Quality control in Viet Nam. She is frequently a key speaker at national and international congresses. She has been awarded 07 national prizes (majority from Ministry of Health and Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee) and 05 international prizes. She had outstanding contribution to the field of Infection Control and developing a set of quality criteria for Vietnamese hospitals, given by Minister of Health. She has also got outstanding achievements in association work and the Red Cross movement, given by President of the Central Red Cross Vietnam Association and Medal for People’s Health, given by Minister of Health. Especially, she has won 02 clinical research grants from Hoc Mai Foundation in 2012 and 2014. Over the past 10 years, after Hoc Mai scholarship, Dr Hang has had a leadership role in the campaign to increase awareness of Quality Control not only in community but also in her field; and she is currently Vice Chairwomen Committee of Patient safety, Department of Health of Ho Chi Minh City. She played a pivotal role in establishing and strengthening the relationship between Hung Vuong hospital and Hoc Mai foundation from 2011 to 2017. Dr. Hang is willing to act as a bridge between Hoc Mai and Hung Vuong Hospital and Medical Universities in Ho Chi Minh City in the near future.
Nguyen Ngoc Hoang My
Head of Administrative and Finance Committee
2018 – April, 2020: Intermidiate level of Administrative and Political Theory of Ho Chi Minh city Cadre Academy (HCA).
July – September, 2019: Certificate of Hoc Mai Clinical Obsever Program at the University of Sydney, Australia.
2012- Sep, 2015: Master’s Degree of Science in Medicine at University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh city (Thesis for graduation score: 8.2/10).
December, 2013 – January, 2014: Certificate of Complement Scientific Data Analysis, held by Ton Duc Thang University.
Feb – May, 2009: Certificate of the course of Holter ECG & Holter Blood Pressure, held by Cho Ray Hospital.
Sep, 2008 – Feb, 2009: Certificate in Echocardiography and Heart Diseases at Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine.
Nov, 2008 – Dec, 2008: Certificate in Diagnosis and Treatment of Arrhythmias at Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine.
2007 – 2008: Certificate of the Course of Emergency, held by Can Tho Central General Hospital and Cho Ray Hospital.
Sep – Dec 2006: Certificate of the Higher intermediate course of Cardiovascular Emergency (JICA 2006 Program), held at Cho Ray Hospital.
2000 – 2006: Degree of University Graduation – General Practitioner at Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy with Merit Certificate for Best Overal Performance (GPA: 8.72/10).
Ph.D, MD Nguyen Van Dinh
Head of Medical Education Committee
Nguyen Van Dinh, MD, Ph.D has more than 10 years of experience in Allergy and Clinical Immunology, specialize in asthma, allergy and clinical Immunology diseases.
Dr. Dinh Van Nguyen graduated Medical Doctor from Hanoi Medical University (HMU) in 2007 and completed the residency in Allergy and Clinical Immunology with the excellent standings (2011). He was later appointed as a lecturer at the Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, HMU and was awarded by AAS (Australia Awards Scholarship) for his PhD (Medicine) at Northern Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Sydney in 2018. Dr Dinh has completed to several clinical placements at major teaching hospitals in Australia and the US. Currently, Dr Nguyen is working for Vinmec Hospital as head of Internal Medicine Department and affiliated Lecturer of College of Health Sciences, VinUniversity, Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor, College of Medicine, Penn State, The US.
He has membership of AAAAI, EACCI, Junior Member (JM) of WAO and Asian Pacific Society of Respiratory (APSR). A member of Urticaria/Angioedema guideline panel. His main research interests are the association of HLA and severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions (SCARs). To date, Dr Nguyen has published 01 edited book, 5 book chapters 30 ISI/SCOPUS peer-reviewed papers and 34 papers in Vietnamese medical Journals with more than 500 citations in total, making his H-index of 11. Dr Nguyen has served as a reviewer for Pharmacogenomics and Genetics (IF 2.1), The Pharcogenomics Journal (IF 4.1), Molecular Medicine (IF 5.3) and Allergy (IF 14.1). Currently, he is the PI of 4 clinical trials and researches. Thanks to his contribution in Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Dr Nguyen has been awarded a number of important awards internationally and locally such as “The Best Paper Award” at APACCI 2013, “The Best Article of The Year” in Asia Pacific Allergy Journal (2015-2018), Chairman’s Award of Hoc Mai Foundation, The University of Sydney (2016), WAO Travel grant (2015), AAAAI travel grant (2016) and the third place of Dang Van Ngu’s Prize for the international publication at HMU (2017), Clinical Allergy and Immunology Assembly Award of APSR (2019) and Internal Medicine Residency Program excellent Teacher Award (Academic Year 2020-2021).
To date, Dr Nguyen has supervised successfully 4 medical students, 3 master students, 3 resident physicians and 1 PhD student.
Currently, Dr Nguyen is working for Vinmec Hospital as head of Internal Medicine Department and affiliated Assistant Professor of College of Health Sciences, VinUniversiy.
Ho Chau Au
General Secretary
Dr. Ho Chau Au, a dedicated physician with a passion for service and leadership, brings a wealth of experience to his role as General Secretary of the Hoc Mai Vietnam Club.
• Received his degree in Medicine from University Of Medicine And Pharmacy At Ho Chi Minh City (2022).
• Recognized for academic excellence with scholarships from the university, the Nguyen Van Huong Scholarship Fund, and the ASIF Foundation.
• Currently works at the Department of Intensive Care and Poison Control at Thong Nhat Hospital under the Ministry of Health of Vietnam.
• Actively involved in the community, contributing to the organization of training programs for lower-level hospitals.
• Played a key role in establishing the Hoc Mai Vietnam Club, contributing ideas, compiling documents, and facilitating discussions. His principal interest is Clinical Medicine and Medical Education.
Council Members
HOC MAI THE AUSTRALIA – VIETNAM MEDICAL FOUNDATION
Associate Professor Christopher Pokorny
Chair
Chris Pokorny is a gastroenterologist and Adjunct Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of New South Wales, Sydney. His principal interest is Clinical Medicine and Medical Education. He is the Chair of Hoc Mai Foundation and director of the Hoc Mai Medical Education and Research program, continuing the work of Professor Kerry Goulston.
Professor Bruce Robinson, AC
Deputy Chair
Bruce Robinson is an endocrinologist at Royal North Shore Hospital. He has a long-standing interest in health and medical education and was Dean of the Sydney Medical School from 2006 to 2016.
Along with Professor Goulston he began an exchange program with Hanoi Medical University in 1999 which in 2000 developed into the Hoc Mai Foundation. He strongly supports Australian health professionals developing links with partners in the international arena. He believes these ties strengthen Australia’s standing in health and in medical research.
Associate Professor Margaret Schnitzler
Margaret Schnitzler graduated in medicine at the University of Sydney in 1984 and then trained in surgery at Royal North Shore Hospital. She furthered her training in colorectal surgery with clinical fellowships at in Michigan USA, and Toronto, Canada. She completed a PhD at the Kolling Institute, with studies on the molecular genetics of colorectal cancer. Margaret has clinical appointments as a colorectal surgeon at RNSH and North Shore Private Hospital. She is Associate Professor in Surgery at the University of Sydney, Co-Deputy Head of the Sydney Medical School, Head of the Northern Clinical School and Academic Director (Medicine/Dentistry) in the Northern Sydney Precinct.
Dr Melanie Figtree
Mel Figtree is an infectious diseases physician and staff specialist at the Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney. She was amongst the first group of medical students at the University of Sydney to go to Vietnam as part of a Hoc Mai program.
Associate Professor Jacqueline Bloomfield
Jacqueline Bloomfield is the Director of Offshore Programs (Singapore) at the University of Sydney Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery. Jacqueline is a registered nurse and an experienced academic. She has worked at universities in Australia, Singapore and the United Kingdom.
Since 2017 Jacqueline has been involved in the Hoc Mai Foundation through the delivery - in Vietnam - of research capacity development workshops for doctors and nurses. She has also hosted Vietnamese nursing students while on placement in Sydney, and facilitated nursing students from Sydney participating in clinical placements Vietnam.
Mr Richard Cranna, OAM
Rick Cranna joined Legacy Australia in 1970. He served in the Australian Army from 1968 to 1970. He was posted to the 12 Field Regiment Royal Australian Artillery 102 Field Battery, serving in South Vietnam from 1968-1969.
Rick attained his qualifications as Certified Practising Accountant (CPA) in 1968. He joined the Hoc Mai committee in 2010 and has travelled to Vietnam on many occasions.
Professor Paul Glare
Paul Glare is a specialist physician in pain medicine. He is chair of Pain Medicine Northern Clinical School and holds similar positions at University of Sydney, Sydney Medical School, and the Kolling Institute. Paul became a foundation Fellow of ANZCA’s faculty of Pain Medicine. In 2008, he was appointed Chief of the pain palliative care service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York before returning to Sydney in 2016 to take up his current position. He has travelled to Hanoi with Hoc Mai three times, and teaches the exchange students when they visit Sydney.
Mr Ross Gavin
Ross Gavin is a graduate of Australian Institute of Company Directors and Fellow of Chartered Accountants ANZ. He has enjoyed a 40-year career in professional services with PwC. While principally based in Sydney, he also worked in the firm’s London and Jakarta offices. He had advised companies across a wide range of businesses, and also public sector and not-for-profit entities.
Ross has been a committee member since 2005 and has held responsibilities to monitor the organisation’s financial resources.
Ms Jane Klein
Jane Klein first visited Hanoi with Hoc Mai in 2014, and has made major contributions to the Advanced Program in Nursing students at Hanoi Medical University. She has travelled there twice a year, or taught remotely, ever since then. She joined the Hoc Mai Council in 2021.
With a background in teaching English to migrants in Australia she enjoys helping the students with interactive communication and watching their confidence grow.
The Hon Craig Knowles, AM
Craig Knowles is currently the independent chairman of the NSW Government Natural Resources Access Regulator and the Australian Consul General and Senior Trade Commissioner in New Zealand and the Pacific.
Craig was a cabinet minister for 11 years and an MP for 15 years in the New South Wales Parliament with portfolio responsibilities for Health, Planning, Housing, Infrastructure and Natural Resources. He joined the Hoc Mai Council in 2004.
The Hon Jeannette McHugh
Jeannette McHugh was a member of the House of Representatives, Australian Parliament, from 1983 until 1996, and Minister for Consumer Affairs from 1992 - 1996. She was for many years Chair of the Jessie Street Trust, is patron and a life member of the Evatt Foundation, and a Life Member of the Australian Labor Party.
Jeanette’s involvement with Vietnam dates from the years of the war, developing into a respect and affection for the people of Vietnam, which has been strengthened by several visits to Hanoi with Hoc Mai and she joined the Hoc Mai Council in 2003.
Professor Michael Mann, AO
Michael Mann has been the Chancellor of Torrens University Australia, President RMIT University Vietnam, Managing Director (Asia-Pacific), Laureate International Universities, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam (1998-2002), CEO of Australian Television Network, ABC and Australian Ambassador to Laos.
Michael’s involvement with Hoc Mai started over 20 years ago. While Ambassador to Vietnam, along with Professors Robinson and Goulston he met key players in the health sector in Hanoi and Danang. He is still a frequent visitor to Vietnam and remains committed to helping the education and health sectors. He joined the Hoc Mai Council in 2001.
Ms Nathalie Mann
Nathalie Mann is a public health specialist with over 17 years’ experience working across industries. She has a deep understanding of the Australian, Thai, Vietnamese and French healthcare systems. Nathalie has experience in the areas of policy, strategy and innovation with extensive experience in business operations and development.
Nathalie spent over 10 years in Vietnam and has worked for the French Ministry of Health and organisations such as UNAIDS, Medecins du Monde and PEPFAR, where she helped draft the first anti-discrimination HIV/AIDS laws. She joined the Hoc Mai Council in 2021.
Professor Jonathan Morris, AM
Jonathan Morris is a graduate of the University of Edinburgh and completed his Obstetric and Maternal Foetal Medicine sub specialty training in Sydney. He completed his PhD in Oxford and returned to Sydney in 1998 to the Royal North Shore Hospital. He leads a perinatal research team that extends from basic science to population health.
His major research interests are the prediction, prevention and management of pregnancy complications. He joined the Council in 2005.
Dr Janani Thillainadesan
Janani Thillainadesan is a staff specialist geriatrician at Concord Hospital, and Conjoint Lecturer at the University of Sydney. Her research is based at the Centre for Education and Research on Ageing (CERA), Concord Hospital. Janani is actively involved in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and research supervision.
Her ongoing service contributions include chair of the Executive Ethical Review Panel and membership on her hospital’s Human Research Ethics Committee, coordinating the Geriatric Medicine collaboration with the National Geriatric Hospital in Hanoi via the Hoc Mai Foundation. She joined the Hoc Mai Council in 2020.
Ms Deborah Willcox AM
Deb Willcox has worked in health and the public sector for more than 35 years. Deb was appointed NSW Health Deputy Secretary, Health System Strategy and Planning in October 2022. Deb was former Chief Executive of Northern Sydney Local Health District since November 2017, bringing to the role her extensive experience as a clinician and as senior executive.
Deb is committed to ensuring the delivery of high quality compassionate public health care. Deb was admitted as a legal practitioner in 2004 and her career spans government and non-government organisations with experience in clinical and corporate services, research, and senior government adviser roles. She joined the Hoc Mai Council in 2021.
Mr Nguyen Dang Thang
Mr. NGUYEN DANG Thang is Vietnamese Consul General in Sydney, covering New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia. Prior to his posting in Sydney, he was Director-General (Law & Policy) at the National Boundary Commission of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Thang started his 20 plus years of diplomatic service as a legal expert in the the Foreign Ministry.
Thang’s main focus during his term as Consul General of Vietnam is on promoting two-way investment and scientific, technological, educational and cultural cooperation between Australia and Vietnam as well as on strengthening the solidary and cohesion of the Vietnamese community in Australia. A Hanoian and a son of a doctor, Thang has special feelings for Hoc Mai programme.