GS Nguyễn Đình Hối, pioneer of true university hospitals, passes away at 92

Professor-Doctor-Physician Nguyễn Đình Hối, a towering figure in Vietnamese medical education and healthcare, has died at the age of 92. He was widely recognized as a pioneer for his instrumental role in establishing the Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital as a genuine university hospital, integrating education, research, and patient care.

Born in Thanh Hóa province in 1936, Hối demonstrated academic brilliance early on, excelling in both teaching and medical fields. After graduating as a doctor in 1960, he began his career teaching at Hanoi Medical University before moving to the surgery department under the guidance of Professor Tôn Thất Tùng. His extensive experience at Việt Đức Hospital honed his skills as a meticulous surgeon.

In 1981, Hối moved to Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy. He rose through the ranks, serving as Head of the Faculty of Medicine and later as Rector from 1993 to 2007. During his tenure, he significantly expanded the university's scope, growing from three to seven faculties and establishing a multi-disciplinary training model in health sciences. His most significant achievement was realizing the vision of Vietnam's first Trường-Viện (School-Hospital) model by founding the University Hospital in 2000, which opened in 2006 and operated without state funding.

Professor Hối dedicated his life to nurturing future generations of medical professionals, mentoring hundreds of residents, specialists, masters, and doctors. He authored numerous books and research papers, contributing significantly to surgical knowledge and medical terminology. He also founded the Health and Life Club to disseminate medical knowledge to the public. His leadership extended to numerous national medical associations, including the Ministry of Health's Science and Technology Council and the Vietnamese Medical Council.