28-Year-Old Anesthesiologist Wins First Prize in Scientific Research
At 28 years old, Dr. Hà Quốc Hùng from the Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care at University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City (UMC HCMC) secured First Prize at the 2026 Inter-Hospital International Scientific Conference held on August 1–2 in Da Nang, presenting his research on postoperative pain management following pulmonary lobectomy.
When entering the residency entrance examination among 23 distinct medical specialties, Dr. Hùng chose Anesthesiology and Critical Care. He notes that the discipline requires operating within a surgical environment while employing internal medicine reasoning, demanding a broad knowledge base and rapid decision-making under pressure.
Bridging Research and Clinical Practice The award-winning project originated from his residency thesis, which compared the efficacy of two regional anesthesia techniques in pulmonary lobectomy to identify safer, more effective pain relief protocols. Because postoperative thoracic pain is typically moderate to severe, inadequate management increases the risk of respiratory complications, prolonged hospitalization, and chronic pain syndromes. By optimizing regional anesthesia—a core component of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol implemented at UMC HCMC—patients achieve earlier recovery and reduced complication rates.
An Impressive Academic Footprint Presenting before a distinguished panel including Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trần Bảo Long, Dr. Hùng’s rigorous preparation and delivery earned high praise. The top prize was ultimately announced by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyễn Lân Hiếu.
Despite his youth, Dr. Hùng has built an extraordinary academic portfolio comprising 13 international journal publications and six domestic papers. His 2026 accolades also include First Prize for Best Young Presenter at the Inter-Hospital International Scientific Conference hosted by Hanoi Medical University, alongside First Prize at the Young Medical Science and Technology Conference of University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City. Emphasizing evidence-based medicine, he advocates for creating expanded research platforms to empower young physicians to continually elevate patient care standards.