I am excited to announce the opening of TruPoint Health! Health and healing are my passions, and I have dedicated my life to helping my patients truly heal instead of treating only their symptoms. While TruPoint Health is a culmination of 25 years of experience as a medical doctor, I believe my journey in the healing profession began long ago.
Born at the height of the war in Vietnam to a South Vietnamese Army physician father and a pharmacist mother, I was perhaps destined to become a military physician. My career choice was shaped not only by this fate at birth, however, but also by my early life experiences. My childhood was sheltered by a loving and joyful home despite the surrounding chaos and perils of war. As a child, I spent many evenings by candlelight being mesmerized by my grandfather’s readings of his poems. Through his eloquent words about human endurance, patriotism, and the immense power we all have to heal human suffering with love, understanding and forgiveness, my grandfather laid the foundation for my personal character, optimistic attitude, and embodiment of healing.
Also as a child, I occasionally accompanied by dad on his weekend rounds at a military hospital. Witnessing the suffering that military personnel endured in defense of their country ignited a passion in me. I thought, “Someday I will learn to help them, too.”
After the Vietnam War ended on April 30, 1975, my father was forced into a communist “reeducation camp” and I went back to elementary school to discover some of my friends and their families did not survive. My mother, with her composure intact, secretly planned our escape. Fourteen months later, my family crept in the predawn hours from our home to Nha Trang beach. We swam to a waiting fishing boat that brought us to the Philippines after six nights, with little food and water, on a rough and unforgiving sea. After two months in a refugee camp, my family and I arrived in Northern Virginia on Aug 12, 1976, marking the beginning of a life with newfound freedom.
My parents restarted their professional careers with endless determination, hard work, and sacrifices. With their guidance and supportive teachers, I learned English as a second language. As a student at the University of Virginia, I joined the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) and received an Air Force Health Professions Scholarship for medical school.
My military service is a tribute to the U.S. for giving my family and me our freedom and opportunities for a new start. I wanted to be part of the mission of U.S. military personnel to embody integrity and selfless service in defense of peace and liberty. Furthermore, I wanted to fulfill my childhood commitment to help military members heal.
After 21 years of active service, my last assignment in the Air Force brought me back to Northern Virginia. Starting TruPoint Health in the same office building where my dad had his medical practice has allowed me to continue his legacy of serving our community.
At TruPoint Health, we share our passion for health to empower you to heal, live your best life, and fulfill your life’s purpose. We bring together modern understanding of chronic diseases with the latest science on healing and the art of wellbeing. Through functional medicine assessment, medical acupuncture, clinical nutrition, and mindfulness skills, we engage you in transforming your life. We are delighted for the opportunity to serve you!