He grew up in the Quang Ngai province in Vietnam, one of the poorest regions of the world. Although he was afforded the privilege of education, as a child Dr. Nguyen was surrounded by those who were less fortunate and stricken with poverty. His parents instilled in him, from an early age, the value of obtaining an education as a means to improve one’s circumstances as well as the lives of others. After arriving in the United States as a refugee in his teenage years, and through the help of others, Dr. Nguyen was able to pursue an education in the United States and reach his ultimate goal of becoming a physician. Dr. Nguyen now feels obligated to provide similar opportunities and hope to impoverished children in Vietnam.