By caring for others, we impact the future
We provide all people with equitable access to safe, affordable surgical care.
Since Nuoy was founded in 2020, we have aspired to expand access to safe, affordable surgical care. Access to medicine and education is a global issue that Nuoy believes can be addressed by nurturing future surgical talent and building a community with alignment of values. We understand the impact that surgery has on patient’s lives because our patients are our community. By working together, we believe that patients will have access to safe, affordable surgical care. As our community’s needs evolve, we continue to evolve to provide support and build capacity.
Our current plans are to first expand locally, then regionally, and finally globally. By committing to the sustainable development of local expertise, Nuoy plans to implement its paradigm by collaborating with long standing partners in other communities.
Our People
Phuong D. Nguyen, M.D.
As a first-generation Vietnamese-American born in an Indonesian refugee camp, it has been a life-long drive to give back to my heritage and community. Since my first foray into Vietnam in 2004 as a medical student on a cleft lip education mission, my personal and professional focus has been to improve health equity and access for all global citizens. As a pediatric plastic and craniofacial surgeon, I have seen firsthand the power of reconstructive surgery on the transformation of a patient’s outlook and livelihood. Through Nuoy, we aim to be a resource for our global partners in empowerment and surgical capacity building through long-standing relationships and evolution.
Julien Klaudt-Moreau, MPH
Growing up in rural New Hampshire, I witnessed firsthand the impact that the lack of access to healthcare can have upon the local community. During my first trip to Vietnam, it became apparent that while the factors causing inequitable access to healthcare were different, the impact to patients was the same. Inspired by my experience in Vietnam, I pursued an MPH degree and cultivated the skills needed to address the barriers to surgical care in Vietnam. It is the people of Vietnam, and their stories that continue to inspire my work today.
Dinh Minh Anh
As a woman growing up in Vietnam, I have always understood firsthand the impact that access to healthcare can have on patient outcomes. Building upon this experience, I have dedicated the entirety of my career to expanding access to surgical care and patient advocacy. As Director of Operations, Vietnam, it has become my mission to not only expand access to surgical care but empower our patients with informed consent. With Nuoy, I hope to bring our services closer to more people, which will make my own life more fulfilling.
Our Volunteer
Christopher M. Runyan, M.D., PhD
Dr. Christopher Runyan is a Associate Professor of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Wake Forest University, who has worked closely with Nuoy for many years to strengthen surgical training in Vietnam. He has been a key partner in establishing the Orthognathic Surgery (OGS) Center at Hong Ngoc Hospital, focusing on practical skill development and long-term program sustainability. His approach emphasizes collaboration, hands-on mentorship, and building local capacity in craniofacial surgery.
Samuel O. Poore, M.D., PhD
Dr. Samuel Poore is a Professor of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a leading educator in microsurgery. As part of Nuoy’s volunteer faculty, he leads the Micro Education Program, sharing advanced surgical techniques and fostering hands-on learning for Vietnamese surgeons. His focus on practical training and academic exchange has helped strengthen microsurgical capacity and inspire the next generation of reconstructive surgeons in Vietnam.
Maria Matuszczak, M.D.
Dr. Maria Matuszczak is a Professor of Anesthesiology at the McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston and a core volunteer with Nuoy. She leads Nuoy’s Anesthesiology Education Program, developing multiple initiatives to strengthen perioperative and anesthesia training in Vietnam. Her work focuses on advancing patient safety, promoting multidisciplinary collaboration, and supporting the professional growth of local anesthesia teams.
_edited.jpg)
Jignesh Unadkat, M.D.
Dr. Jignesh Unadkat is an Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Chicago. As a Nuoy volunteer, he has led the development of the Brachial Plexus Program at Viet Duc University Hospital, working closely with Vietnamese surgeons to advance upper extremity reconstruction and nerve injury care. His efforts have laid the foundation for ongoing training, clinical collaboration, and research in complex peripheral nerve surgery in Vietnam.
