Summer 2011 - Western University of Health Sciences

Alumni Profile: WesternU Grad Has aBig HeartBy Jeff Malet, Writer/PhotographerMai T. Nguyen’s friends and peers know her as a“small person with a big heart.”Friends have dubbed the 3-foot-10-inch tall WesternUniversity of Health Sciences’ College of Pharmacy 2003graduate “Mighty Wind,” because she’s small, powerful, anddetermined.During the 2007 holiday season, Nguyen founded the Hearts ofCharity and Friends (HoCF) with the goal of bringing awarenessand raising funds to support physically- and mentally-disabledchildren, orphans, and disabled seniors in Vietnam.Nguyen found inspiration in a quote by Joel Baker, author of“The Star Thrower,”“Vision without action is merely a dream.”“Action without vision just passes the time.”“Vision with action can change the world.”“The heart also represents the capacity for sympathy,generosity, courage with resolution and fortitude,” saidNguyen, describing the philosophy behind the HoCF name.“It has an infinite capacity for compassion with deepestdevotion to the body and the soul.”While HoCF’s primary goal is to help disabled children inVietnam, Nguyen learned that local children also need attentionafter her 10-year-old niece was diagnosed with autism.After seeing the girl’s parents struggle to communicate withtheir daughter, Nguyen set out to establish the AutismEducation Program and Vietnamese Parents Support Group inOrange County.“It struck me that they are going through such difficult times,coping and understanding,” said Nguyen.Nguyen works as a staffpharmacist at Fountain ValleyRegional Hospital (FVRH).Giang C. Nguyen (photoright), an unrelated fellowWesternU graduate from2001, encouraged Nguyen towork with her at the hospital.“Her warmth, smile, and eagerness to achieve weremagnetic,” said Giang Nguyen. “ I had never met anyonemore determined and humble.”Through serendipity of working with mutual colleagues—MaiNguyen then recruited Giang Nguyen for her charity.“Giang is very inspirational to me,” said Nguyen. “We sharethe same mission, goal and heart. We both want to make adifference in the community.”Nguyen says she owes a lot to her father Cuong, who hassince passed away. “He was a guiding light, resolute and avoice of encouragement.”“Without him I would not even go to pharmacy school,” saidNguyen. “He’s the one who inspired me to help people, tothink about all the people you can help and all the people whowill look up to you for help. He was always 100 percentsupportive of my charity.” ■2 | RxBound WesternU, College of Pharmacy