About The Event
200+
Patients Scanned
ASE members continue to advance medical practice and offer assistance to the underserved around the world! Jose Banchs, MD, FASE, led a team of volunteers on a self-organized global health outreach event to Hue Central Hospital in Hue, Vietnam.
Highlights
Visionary Medical Outreach and Leadership
Dr. Jose Banchs, inspired by a personal visit to Vietnam in 2008, spearheaded a self-organized global health outreach event through the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE). His goal was to bring Hand Carried Cardiac Ultrasound (HCU) technology and expertise to underserved populations in Vietnam, particularly through Hue Central Hospital (HCH), a major referral center with a strong cardiovascular program.
Collaborative Planning and Execution
The event was a collaborative effort involving ASE volunteers, HCH leadership, and support from ZONARE Medical Systems, Inc. (which loaned six ultrasound systems). Despite limited funding, the ASE Foundation provided travel support for the two sonographers and pediatric fellow team members. The team conducted lectures, clinical training, and hands-on echocardiography in both hospital and rural settings, emphasizing sustainable impact and knowledge sharing.
Rural Outreach and Impact
The team extended their work to village health centers, where they scanned over 200 patients in remote areas. Their approach prioritized high-quality diagnostics and immediate care planning for critical cases. This outreach addressed the significant healthcare access gap in rural Vietnam and demonstrated the power of portable technology and international collaboration in global health.
Participants & Collaborators
The volunteer team consisted of 6 ASE sonographers and physicians and 2 non-member participants. Translation services and additional on-site support were provided by accompanying family members, as well as colleagues from Hue Central Hospital. The expected long-term, residual impact of this event is a deepening relationship with a potential long-term partner in Vietnam, advanced training for attendees in Vietnam, improved patient care in rural areas, cultural and educational exchange, and a unique volunteer opportunity for ASE members.
Team Leaders
Jose Banchs, MD, FASE
University of Texas – MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston, Texas
Team Members
Yen Bui, MD University of California, San Francisco San Francisco, California
James N. Kirkpatrick, MD, FASE University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Thanh Kirkpatrick, MD
Joan C. Main, RDCS, MBA, FASE ZONARE Medical Systems, Inc.
Tu Nguyen
Liza Y. Sanchez, RCS, FASE University of Texas – MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston, Texas
Nova Sprague, BS, RDCS University of Texas – MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston, Texas
Partner Organizations
The team partnered with Hue Central Hospital and ZONARE Medical Systems, Inc.
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