Listening to Nguyen Thi My Dieu read aloud case particulars brought a smile to Dr. Ernest Talarico Jr.’s face. Dieu, a Vietnamese student participating in Talarico’s fourth annual medical seminar at Purdue Northwest, is adapting to English medical terms. Her enthusiasm in volunteering to read shows her progress. Dieu’s confidence will be crucial as she and fellow students present their research at Purdue’s West Lafayette campus on July 30.
Nguyen Thi My Dieu is part of a two-week problem-based learning seminar led by Dr. Talarico, an assistant professor of practice in Anatomy and Physiology at Purdue Northwest. About her progress, Talarico said, “Listen to how she’s picked it up; that’s amazing.” The seminar includes students from Tan Tao University near Ho Chi Minh City, Lake Central, and Homewood Flossmoor high schools.
During the seminar, students explored a medical case of a man with bilateral cardiomyopathy that progressed to hydrocephalus. Besides learning about physiology, they learned the importance of bedside manner and responding to patient and family inquiries. This case resonated particularly with Vietnamese students due to the rising incidence of heart disease in Vietnam.
Dr. Talarico explained, “The case involved a middle-aged man struggling to climb stairs. Through x-rays, we discovered bilateral cardiomyopathy caused by hemochromatosis, or iron accumulation in his heart.” Students engaged in discussions on transplantation ethics and faced questions like “Is my dad going to die?”
Students, including Omar Hijaz from Lake Central and Eva Risteska from Purdue, reviewed MRI results with Dr. Talarico. The real-life case took a turn when the patient developed a brain infection, indicating transplant rejection. Students were challenged to determine appropriate treatment.
“Today, students examined EKG and cardiac echo results. This experience equips them to implement such technology in Vietnam when available,” said Talarico.
Vietnam possesses industrialized medicine, but access remains a challenge for many Vietnamese, explained Talarico, who first visited nine years ago. “They gain more than medical knowledge; it’s an exchange of cultures,” he added, emphasizing improved care quality upon return.
According to Talarico, heart disease in Vietnam is aggravated by the increased presence of Western fast food. Omar Hijaz, a recent Lake Central graduate heading to Purdue West Lafayette, sought the seminar to advance in pre-med studies. Although focused on orthopedic sports surgery, his reasons differ from being a former athlete.
Hijaz shared, “During a two-month family visit to Palestine, we stayed in my parents’ village nicknamed ‘Little America’, where the sole doctor made daily house calls. An attack on a neighboring village increased the caseload.”
“Witnessing so many underprivileged people was enlightening,” Hijaz continued. “Studying orthopedic sports surgery can assist with varied injuries.”
Dr. Talarico also engaged with Sophia Pham of Vietnam, describing aspects of the human heart during the seminar.