PNWU Student Doctor Hanh Huynh Wins 2024 American Osteopathic Foundation (AOF) William G. Anderson, DO, Minority Scholarship
Hanh Huynh, PNWU-COM Class of 2025, has been named a 2024 American Osteopathic Foundation (AOF) William G. Anderson, DO, Minority Scholar. Presented on behalf of the AOF’s Board of Directors and its Committee on Scholarships and Awards, the scholarship recognizes minority osteopathic medical students who are committed to osteopathic principals and practice, excel academically, and have proven to be leaders in addressing the educational, societal, and health needs of minorities.
“The goal of this award is to recognize exceptional students who, we believe, will be champions in eliminating healthcare disparities,” explained AOF Chief Executive Officer Rita Forden and Sonbol Shahid-Salles, DO, 2024 Scholarships & Awards Committee Chair, in a letter announcing the honor.
Driven by her own experiences as a first-generation Vietnamese immigrant, Student Doctor Huynh credits the scholarship for not only supporting her aspirations, but affirming her passions, sacrifice, and dedication.
“Awards like this are so important for first-generation medical students like me,” explained Student Dr. Huynh. “Language, cultural barriers, and access to healthcare affected my family and my community, forcing me to seek out access and resources. As I began to recognize the lack of access in other underserved communities, I was inspired to do more.”
Working in nursing homes and soup kitchens, Student Dr. Huynh deepened her understanding of the needs facing underserved communities. Soon, she knew that a career in medicine was her path to make a real difference. Through her work and research, she sought to identify and address the social determinants of health that had long affected her family and community.
After recognizing her passion for serving under-resourced communities, Student Dr. Huynh has completed a master’s thesis in cancer screening in immigrant and refugee populations and delved into mental health disparities in prostate cancer care – work which was published as a literature review. Now in clinic as a rotating fourth-year DO student, she remains committed to identifying and addressing those social determinants of health.
With the support of her preceptor and PNWU’s Office of Scholarly Activity (OSA), Student Dr. Huynh recently presented a case report at a medical conference highlighting the limitations of patient access to appropriate imaging. “As I continue my journey in medicine,” she said, “I hope to find other platforms to advocate for healthcare disparities.”
Dr. Thomas Scandalis, Dean and Chief Academic Officer of PNWU-COM was particularly moved by the news of the honor – not only because of his pride in Student Dr. Huynh, but because of his close personal friendship with William G. Anderson, DO – the renowned osteopathic surgeon and civil rights leader whom the Minority Scholarship honors.
“I have been blessed by my friendship with Dr. Anderson over many years,” explained. Dr. Scandalis. “He has mentored so many for so long and fought long and hard against healthcare disparities and for civil rights with his mentor, Dr. Martin Luther King. I know he is proud of the commitment that Student Doctor Huynh has demonstrated in continuing that fight.”
Student Dr. Huynh first heard of Dr. Anderson’s Minority Scholarship from PNWU’s Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships. Having been selected, she hopes the award will be the next platform for her to continue advocating for the communities she cares about.
“We are very proud of Student Dr. Huynh,” said PNWU President Dr. Michael Lawler. “She is being recognized as a national leader in eliminating healthcare disparities. This award recognizes excellence from Student Dr. Huynh and our esteemed faculty and staff, who helped guide her to success.”
Student Dr. Huynh will be formally recognized during the AOF’s 2024 Honors Gala, slated to take place in San Antonio, Texas on Friday, September 20.
“I’m excited for the opportunity to learn from those who are committed to the same work and vision,” said Huynh, “and I look forward to being inspired through each of their individual journeys.”
Looking ahead, Student Dr. Huynh hopes to match into a physical medicine and rehabilitation residency, where she can further harness her passion for mentorship and community connection. “I want to continue serving the aging, immigrant populations, and patients with physical and functional impairments,” she explained.
“Student Dr. Huynh is a wonderful ambassador for PNWU and for the house of medicine,” said Dr. Scandalis. “I am honored that she chose PNWU to guide her in her future as a physician and leader.”
“PNWU provided opportunities for me to translate this mission through amazing clinical experiences,” Student Dr. Huynh said. “My preceptors have been supportive and deeply inspiring with their work in their communities, helping me discover advocacy through different platforms and enabling me to translate patient needs and advocate for them in clinic settings and medical conferences. I hope PNWU continues to provide support and encourage third- and fourth-year Student Doctors to attend medical conferences, because this has connected me to a network of students with similar goals and strengthened my sense of community in the field.”
“I would like to thank my preceptors, mentors, and my fellow first-generation-in-medicine peers,” she added, “who have supported me through this journey. Thank you to PNWU for cultivating this supportive community.”