eMagazine April 2023

OUR PEOPLE,
OUR MISSION
Department of Rheumatology at ChoRay Hospital
Written by Stephen Winter, MD
Global Health
eMagazine
April 2023
Perspectives
Reports from the Field
Highlights
Reflections
The rheumatology unit requires special comment. I was not sure what to expect,
and I was surprised at what an exceptional experience we had. Dr. Thanh, one
of our former scholars introduced us to the section Chief, Dr. Khoa. He had
spent six years in New York training at the Hospital for Special Surgery, and NYU
receiving his PhD after his medical training in Vietnam. He is a progressive thinker,
discussing quality interventions and programs within his section. The faculty of
this department routinely have been receiving medical students from England,
Australia and Canada and they are enthusiastic about having students to train.
Everyone in this department is clearly prepared and has the interest in teaching
students on their service.
Nursing Division
Women’s Health Education
Hispanic/Latinx Community
Ugandan Voices
Innovation and Technology
Our Beautiful Planet
Art to Remind Us of
Who We Can Be
Video of the Month
Announcement
New Publications
Article of the Month
Dr. Khoa, Chief of Rheumatology and Dr. Robyn Scatena
Dr. Khoa, Chief of Rheumatology and
Dr. Thanh, one of our Global Scholars
Welcome
Among the Letters
Congratulations
Photo News
Calendar
Global Health Family
Resources
Previous Issues of
the eMagazine
The structure of this department is designed perfectly for a student experience.
There is an inpatient unit where they see new presentations of acute manifestations
of rheumatologic disease with interesting differential and treatment discussions.
On the same floor is an outpatient facility where approximately 350 patients are
seen each week. It seems to be an incredible opportunity for students. There
is also a suite where joint aspirations and injections are done (about 150 per
week) potentially giving the students an opportunity to learn these important
procedures.
The clinical material on the wards is extraordinary and I must say that I learned
a lot in the short time we were there. In about 2 hours we saw patients with
lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, myositis/dermatomyositis, extensive gout, bacterial
and TB spinal infections, ankylosing spondylitis (unusually common here) with
systemic manifestations. It is a textbook of classic and unusual physical findings
and complex, interesting patients with close supervision by enthusiastic teachers.
I wish I had the opportunity to attend a rotation like this as a student myself. I
would strongly recommend it to any motivated student.
7