On His Own Time: Steve Ringer, MD, in his most recent of five medical missions to Vietnam during the past two and a half years as part of “Project Vietnam,” which provides humanitarian assistance to Vietnam, focusing on needy rural area and children at risk.
To his colleagues, Dr. Steven Ringer’s dedication is evident in the world class care he oversees and delivers to BWH’s tiniest patients in the Connors Center. Yet, his dedication to children’s health and his willingness to share his expert care with other clinicians is not limited to his role as director of Newborn Medicine at BWH.
In November, Ringer participated in his most recent of five medical missions to Vietnam during the past two and a half years as part of “Project Vietnam,” a non-profit organization, sponsored by the American Academy of Pediatrics. The Project provides humanitarian assistance to Vietnam, focusing on needy rural area and children at risk.
Each trip marries a major clinical effort—including surgical sessions, such as cleft lip and pallet repairs and eye surgeries—with an educational component in the form of medical seminars.
According to Ringer, about three years ago, the Vietnamese Pediatric Association and Ministry of Health determined that neonatal and pediatric emergency care were top priorities. Ringer was involved in the first Pediatric Seminar in Vietnam addressing these public health priorities, sharing his expertise with more than 400 Vietnamese physicians. In addition to these valuable seminars, “Project Vietnam” physicians discuss American medical policies and procedures and participate in patient rounds with the Vietnamese practitioners. Ringer explains that translators are particularly helpful during such educational interactions.
“Our communication with the Vietnamese physicians is somewhat incomplete, not only due to the language barrier, but also because of cultural differences,” said Ringer. “My second trip to Vietnam was strikingly different in terms of the level of trust the Vietnamese physicians had in me. On my first visit, I was a stranger, but on my second visit, I was a friend. I felt as though I got so much more accomplished on subsequent visits.”
“Project Vietnam” expanded to include maternal care in March 2002. Therefore, Ringer was able to bring BWH obstetricians Aviva Lee-Parritz, MD, and Thomas McElrath, MD, to Vietnam for the November trip.
“I would like to see more and more BWH physicians, residents and fellows get involved in this project. The Vietnamese physicians are also very interested in adding a nursing education component, which would create a great opportunity for our nurses to participate as well,” said Ringer. “I have learned so much through these missions, and it is really exhilarating to know that every interaction our team has with these clinicians helps improve the way they practice medicine.”
One such improvement, which occurred as a direct result of “Project Vietnam,” is the introduction of vitamin K for newborns. Following the completion of a pilot project, guidelines for a national policy were set about a month ago and are expected to save the lives of more than 2,000 babies annually, while avoiding numerous instances of brain bleeding and associated damage, according to Ringer.
“This is a major victory, especially considering that the Vietnamese government spends an average of $3 on health care for each person annually,” said Ringer.
Ringer plans to participate in his sixth medical mission with “Project Vietnam” this June. He and other participants personally absorb the costs associated with each trip.
“Twenty four hours on a plane is no picnic,” said Ringer, referring to the lengthy flight time associated with traveling to Vietnam. “But the excitement of thinking on your feet, and devising creative ways to make due with limited resources, all the while helping people in great need, is well worth the trip.”