The journey of overcoming loss to achieve her dream of becoming a doctor: The top-scoring female student with a 3.6 GPA at Dai Nam University.

There are degrees earned through hard work. There are achievements created by talent. But there are also journeys written with tears, loss, and unwavering determination.

The journey of Tran Thi Mai Hang, a student in class YK 14-01, Faculty of Medicine, Dai Nam University (DNU), is one such story.

Tran Thi Mai Hang (far right) - Valedictorian of the first medical doctor program at Dai Nam University with a GPA of 3.6.

Six years ago, Hang was a freshman medical student from a farming family in Giao Thuy, Ninh Binh. Six years later, she became the valedictorian of the first medical school graduating class at Dai Nam University with a GPA of 3.6. What moved many people was not only her achievement but also the journey Hang had taken to reach this point.

From the fields to the medical lecture halls

Hang's childhood was filled with rural fields, the continuous cycle of harvests, and the image of her parents toiling year-round. No one in her family worked in medicine, nor did they have any special circumstances to pave the way for the young girl to enter a field of study considered one of the longest and most demanding.

However, since her high school years, Hang has shown a special interest in knowledge about the human body, diseases, and how medicine can help people overcome pain. From initial curiosity, a simple dream gradually formed: to become a doctor. Not to seek fame or status, but simply to be able to do something useful for others.

Six years, from a girl from the countryside of Giao Thuy, Ninh Binh, to achieving the title of valedictorian, is a journey of perseverance, determination, and commitment to pursuing her dream of becoming a doctor.

The biggest event midway through the journey.

The medical field has never been an easy path. But Hang's biggest challenge didn't lie in textbooks or exams.

In her third year of university, her mother suddenly passed away. This tragedy occurred during the most demanding period of her studies, causing all her plans to seemingly fall apart. There were days when Hang didn't know why she was studying, nor was she sure she had the strength to continue.

"There were times when I thought I couldn't continue anymore. But then I remembered that my mother always wanted to see me become a doctor. I thought that if I gave up, I would be letting her down," Hang shared.

Mai Hang's academic journey is not only defined by her achievements but also by her strength in overcoming major life challenges.

The pain didn't disappear, but the young medical student learned to carry that pain with her as she moved forward. That's what helped Hang mature, become stronger, and stay steadfast in her choices.

The large lecture hall is named after the hospital.

Her years of clinical training gave Hang a completely different perspective on the medical profession. From a student who learned from textbooks, she gradually understood that behind every medical record is a human being, behind every case is a family, and behind every surgery are hopes of returning to a normal life.

The clinical training process helped Mai Hang understand that behind every patient's case is a human being, and behind every patient's case are hopes of returning to a normal life.

Hang proactively participated in scientific research, volunteered to assist in operating rooms from an early age, and spent most of her time at the hospital. One of her most memorable experiences was her research on a group of patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries at Phu Tho Provincial General Hospital – where she completed her graduation internship.

Witnessing patients' journey from pain and difficulty in movement to gradual recovery and regaining confidence in their daily lives has given her a deeper understanding of the true meaning of the medical profession.

"A doctor doesn't just cure diseases. More importantly, they help patients find their way back to life," Hang said.

Besides her outstanding academic achievements, including numerous semesters with excellent scholarships, Mai Hang is also a familiar face in school activities, showcasing the image of a dynamic and well-rounded student.

A GPA of 3.6 isn't the most valuable thing.

Mai Hang's achievement of graduating as valedictorian with a GPA of 3.6 has sparked curiosity about her study secrets. However, the student believes that this success didn't come from any special methods, but rather from her perseverance throughout her six years of study.

According to Hang, the medical field doesn't allow for subjectivity or learning based on inspiration. There are periods when theoretical classes, clinical shifts in the Trauma, Gastroenterology, and Neurology departments, along with internship reports and research projects, all take place simultaneously. Almost all of her time revolves around lectures, hospitals, and self-study.

“Medicine is a field of study that requires continuous learning. Knowledge is interconnected and complements each other, so there are no shortcuts. I always try to maintain a consistent study schedule, understanding the essence of the problems instead of just studying to pass exams.”

For Mai Hang, grades are the result of a serious learning process, but not the ultimate goal.

Mom will surely be smiling today.

On the day she received the title of Valedictorian of the first graduating class of doctors at Dai Nam University, perhaps the happiest person was not only Mai Hang but also her father, who had silently supported her throughout the difficult years, and the teachers who had witnessed this petite student grow day by day.

And somewhere in Hang's memory, there will always be the image of her mother, no longer present but never absent from that journey.

From the fields to the medical lecture hall, Mai Hang's story is a testament to the resilience and desire to contribute of young people.

Today's medical degree is a source of pride, but more than that, it's a reward for my parents' sacrifices, the result of a girl who didn't give up in the face of loss, and the starting point for a longer journey—the lifelong learning journey of a doctor.

After graduation, Mai Hang hopes to continue her studies and improve her expertise to become a highly competent doctor, working carefully and always listening to her patients.

"I hope to become a doctor that patients can trust and feel secure in accompanying them."

A doctor emerges from the fields, carrying with him knowledge, gratitude, and a desire to heal those he will meet in his life.