Pham Quang Huy, born in 1954, from Hai Duong migrated to southern Vietnam at an early age. Despite an initial interest in engineering, he was advised by his parents to study medicine to assist other people and become useful in society.

In 1979, he graduated from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy HCM City and began working in Tay Ninh province. Two years later, he was transferred to Thong Nhat General Hospital, one of the leading hospitals in the province, and has been working there since then.

Before retirement, Huy witnessed numerous cases of patients with severe cardiovascular conditions being forwarded to higher-tier hospitals in HCM City.

Such transfers not only incurred significant costs but also wasted the "golden hour" for emergency care, resulting in many deaths or severe complications.

Deeply concerned by the situation, Pham Quang Huy proposed establishing a Cardiovascular Center under Thong Nhat General Hospital. However, this initiative faced considerable challenges.

"Many doctors argued that myocardial infarction cases should be sent straight to HCM City, and no one would stay here. For me, however, doing everything which allows to exploit the 'golden hour' is the most critical factor," Pham Quang Huy said, explaining why he insisted on an emergency center.

His proposal was approved by the hospital leadership. Together with his colleagues, he embarked on researching and adopting advanced interventional cardiology techniques to apply them in Dong Nai.

At that time, the Ministry of Health launched a satellite hospital program nationwide, designating Thong Nhat General Hospital as a satellite of Cho Ray Hospital in HCM City, specializing in cardiology. The decision helped solve the problem in qualification and funding.

In late 2014, when the center was officially established, Huy retired. However, recognizing his significance, the hospital board invited him to continue working as an advisor, assisting and training younger generations of doctors in interventional cardiology.

In his retirement, Huy continues to devote himself fully to saving patients. With his extensive experience and skilled expertise, he has directly participated in numerous complex cardiovascular interventions, saving many patients in critical condition.

Over its 10 years of operation, the department has examined and treated over 231,000 inpatients and outpatients. Pham Quang Huy’s contributions have not only elevated treatment quality but also significantly reduced the proportion of patients requiring transfers to higher-tier facilities.

The percentage of heart disease cases requiring transfer has dropped from 47.4 percent to 0.41 percent, delivering substantial benefits to patients and the healthcare system.

Beyond his professional expertise, Pham Quang Huy is a dedicated mentor, always willing to share his experience with younger generations. 

Hoang Anh