Dung Nguyentran (VCU SOM class of 2024) was named the recipient of the Henry Clay Smith, M.D. Memorial Scholarship at the School of Medicine Honors Day Ceremony in April. The scholarship is awarded annually to a fourth-year medical student interested in providing health care to rural Virginians. Henry Clay Smith practiced in rural Nottoway County for over six decades. After his death, his family established the scholarship to support young physicians who share his passion for rural medicine.
photo courtesy of the Richmond Times-Dispatch
Dung’s interest in rural practice is rooted in his family’s heritage: “My family were farmers in rural south Vietnam and came to the United States as immigrants.” His family’s struggle to navigate health care in the United States, combined with life-changing service experiences in low resource communities fueled his early interest in practicing Family Medicine in underserved communities. “In Family Medicine, I can care for a patient from childhood into old age and be a patient’s first point of contact.” By practicing in underserved communities, “I hope to provide the greatest good for the greatest number of people.”
Dung’s clinical rotations through the International / Inner City / Rural Preceptorship Program (I2CRP) allowed him to explore rural practice in communities throughout Virginia, eventually solidifying his commitment to rural Family Medicine.
“The I2CRP program expanded my learning outside of an urban, academic medical center to include rural, community clinics and hospitals. Traversing these terrains helped me learn to problem solve the challenges of practicing medicine in places where access to healthcare services and resources can be limited. I’ve also learned from experienced physicians who showed me how to practice medicine in ways that meet the core needs of the community.”
According to Dr. Mark Ryan, the Vice Chair of Vice-Chair for Clinical Operations and Quality and the Medical Director for the I2CRP program, “Rural Virginia has a longstanding shortage of primary care providers, which is worsening as long-practicing physicians cut back. Physicians like Dr. Nguyentran will be crucial to help meet communities' medical needs as they provide excellent care to their patients.”
Starting this summer, Dung begins his residency training in Family Medicine at UVA in Charlottesville, Virginia. He notes a deep appreciation for the legacy of rural Family Medicine physicians who precede him as he is poised to join their ranks: “I am grateful for the chance this scholarship provides to continue my medical education in the specialty of Family Medicine. I will do my best to carry on the spirit of Dr. Henry Clay Smith in the patients I will go on to care for.”
Read more about ways to make a gift to support scholars like Dung.