Many find within themselves a more generous, donating spirit during the yearend holiday season, which is admirable. But needs don’t just appear during the holidays, and e-MDs is proud to be associated with a group that applies the truest spirit of selfless giving all year long.

On July 11, 2008, Dr. Vien Doan returned to his homeland of Vietnam with a team of 45 medical and dental professionals and 50 student volunteers. Over two weeks Dr. Doan and his team provided much needed medical attention to more than 5,000 people, almost 400 patients a day, many of whom had never received health care before. This is not the first trip Dr. Doan and his team have made, and it will not be their last. For the past eight years the Good Samaritan Medical and Dental Mission (GSMDM) has traveled half way around the world to bring knowledge of Western medicine and Christian faith to serve and heal the people of Vietnam.

Vien Doan grew up in Vietnam with aspirations of one day becoming a doctor. Dr. Doan realized his dream in the United States, but never lost his deep connection to Vietnam and its people, feeling a call to return to his native land to share his gifts and knowledge. His desire to serve the people of Vietnam inspired the formation of the Good Samaritan Medical and Dental Mission. GSMDM’s overarching goal is “to reach out to the people of Vietnam through the healing ministry of the church by providing state of the art medical and dental care through annual missions, education and in-country health care facilities.”

The 2008 trip was different than the eight prior missions. Not only did GSMDM bring big hearts and advanced medicine to Vietnam, but this year they incorporated modern technology to further assist in the treatment of patients. e-MDs’ Solution Series, an innovative electronic health record (EHR), was donated for use and successfully tested on the field. “The EHR allowed us to record accurate and thorough medical history of the patients in a time-efficient manner,” said Monica Chu, GSMDM Mission Committee Chairperson. Solution Series also gave the mission the option to print records or store them electronically. “e-MDs software is now playing a role in our ministry and will be used extensively next year,” concluded Dr. Doan. “We hope to expand its usage to other clinical stations, bringing our mobile clinic closer to electronic data capturing.”

GSMDM is a testimony to the positive effects goodhearted people and modern technologies have on peoples’ lives. The EHR enabled a large number of people to receive medical attention in a short amount of time, helping spread good will and faith that touched and changed lives in Vietnam.

For more information on the work of the GSMDM please visit www.gsmedicalministry.org.