Training Programs
The Newborn Care Initiative
From the onset, newborn babies have been our major focus.
The first project: work with the National Hospital of Pediatrics to protect the newborn babies from brain hemorrhage due to lack of Vitamin K. This was adopted as a national policy in 2004.
2005: Development of models for newborn care at 2 pilot provinces in South Vietnam-Khanh Hoa- and North-Vinh Phuc.
2005-2007: National Training courses on Neonatal Skills for 43 provinces representing 65% of the country.
2008-2011: Development of Training Centers for Newborn Resuscitation at 14 strategic sites
We work with Vietnam pediatric leaders: National Hospital of Pediatrics for North Vietnam, and Department of Pediatrics-HCM School of Medicine for South Vietnam.
The Newborn Resuscitation training started in 2008 is a partnership with International Relief Teams, San Diego.
Dr. Steve Ringer, Team leader for the Neonatal Care Initiative
Director of Newborn Services, Brigham and Women's Hospital
Associate-Professor of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School
Dr. Priscilla Joe, Co-Team leader for the Neonatal Care Initiative
Director of ECMO, Children's Hospital of Oakland
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The Infection Control Program
Recognized as the most effective way to decrease Infectious disease for children and newborns, Infection Control has been ongoing project at multiple hospital sites.
This is one of the areas where student volunteers can truly make a difference!
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The Pediatric Emergency Care Program
Several national training courses in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City 2003-2007 in collaboration with Project Outreach, Canada
Pediatric Disaster Training Course in March 2009-South Vietnam, and March 2010-Central Vietnam, with the American Academy of Pediatrics. A third training is planned for March 2011 in north Vietnam.
Dr. Steven Berman, Team leader for the Pediatric Disaster Course
Professor of Pediatrics at Denver Children's Hospital
Past president of the American Academy of Pediatrics
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The Pediatric Cardiac Program
Started in Summer 2006 and ongoing at Nhi Dong 1 (Pediatric Hospital 1) in Ho Chi Minh City under the leadership of Dr. Culbertson who spurred the development of Open Heart Surgery in 2007. He returns every year with the Heart Link Cardiac Surgery Team, to continue building capacity at the main Children's Hospital in Ho Chi Minh city.
Dr. Casey Culbertson, Pediatric Cardiologist at Children's Hospital in Oakland
Dr. Casey Culbertson, Pediatric Cardiologist at Children's Hospital in Oakland ________________________________________________________________________________
The Bright Futures Program
Since November 2008 at Nhi Dong 2 Hospital, to develop a well-child program inspired by the American Academy of Pediatrics health maintenance guidelines.
The Training team travels in March and November with the Medical Mission trip for 2 weeks and arranges year-round visits.
We recruit Healthcare professionals to spend 1-4 weeks at program sites, as well as volunteers to contribute to specific projects.
The Bright Futures Team: (From left to right)
Kristine Pilkington, Occupational Therapy
Cathy Babiak, Physical Therapy
Elaine Schneider, Speech Therapy
Dr. Arleen Downing, Team leader & Developmental Pediatrics
Dr. Jerold Aronson, MPH & Associate-Professor of Pediatrics Hahneman Medical School
Dr. Susan Aronson, Professor of Pediatrics University of Pennsylvania
Dr. Quynh Kieu, General Pediatrics
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Pediatric Nursing Education
Initiated in 2004 at the National Hospital of Pediatrics in Hanoi by Kathye Gentry, PA. The Team trained Nurses educators and equipped a Training Laboratory where nurses could practice clinical skills. Conjointly with the Newborn Care Initiative, our Nurses have focused on improving neonatal and pediatric skills at the Children's Hospitals in Ho Chi Minh city and Vinh, as well as Rach Gia and Vinh Phuc General Hospitals.
Bien Nguyen, RN