Paying forward the conversations that changed my path.

I immigrated from Vietnam to the United States at 18, speaking limited English and with no family background in medicine. As a first-generation immigrant, college graduate, and physician, I entered medicine without an inherited professional network and understand how distant the path can feel when you have questions you have been wanting to ask but do not know whom to turn to.

I was inspired by the profession and believed in my own capabilities, but I had no physician connections. I applied only to medical schools where a physician recommendation letter was not required and learned to navigate each step largely without the guidance that many students receive through family or established networks.

I discovered radiology during a third-year elective. Being in the reading room with radiologists and residents gave me a firsthand perspective on the specialty, clarity about the work, and the confidence to pursue it. I found the field in time, but thoughtful guidance could have helped me recognize the possibility sooner.

Mentors made a meaningful difference throughout my journey. I created Radiology From Zero to pay that generosity forward by sharing practical guidance and personal perspectives first, then offering mentor conversations when a student still has unanswered questions.

The purpose is not to convince everyone to choose radiology. It is to help college students explore whether medicine feels right and possible, and to help medical students understand radiology, gain meaningful exposure, and decide whether the field fits them. This matters especially as rapid advances in artificial intelligence create new questions about the future of the specialty. The guides also share what I have learned during my journey into medicine and then radiology residency.

My professional interests include cardiothoracic imaging, research, academic radiology, and mentorship.