UAB/Children's of Alabama (COA) physicians from the Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, joined by a multidisciplinary team of neurologists and neurophysiologists, have a longstanding partnership with colleagues from several hospitals in Vietnam. They work to strengthen programs in surgical epilepsy, neuro-oncology, hydrocephalus, spina bifida, traumatic brain injury, and craniofacial surgery. The partnership includes training in Vietnam (of local and UAB physicians) and at COA, where UAB/COA faculty hosts global fellows in neurosurgery, neurology, pathology, anesthesia, nursing, and neurophysiology. Continuous support and mentorship through remote collaboration platforms also support the work. The partnership is part of a larger initiative of the Global Surgery Program at Children’s of Alabama and many of the partnerships were formed through InterSurgeon, an online dynamic website co-founded by neurosurgeon Dr. James Johnston, with a matching algorithm to connect surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and organizations worldwide to facilitate collaborations in global surgery.

Leading UAB Faculty for Vietnam Initiatives

Brandon Rocque, M.D. (Hanoi)

James Johnston, M.D. (Ho Chi Minh City)

Martina Gonzalez Gomez, M.D., MSc

Partners

Children’s Hospital #2, Ho Chi Minh City (Can Thanh Dang Do, M.D., My Le, M.D.)

National Hospital for Pediatrics, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Hanoi 

Vietnam National Cancer Hospital (Nguyen Duc Lien, M.D., Nguyễn Thai Hoc, M.D.)

Vietnam National Pediatrics Hospital (Le Nam Thang, M.D., Dang Anh Tuan, M.D., Cao Van Hung, M.D.)

City Children's Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (Nguyen Khai, M.D.)