Fulfilling a Childhood Dream to Heal the Sick
From the time he was seven-years-old, Dr. Kenny Nguyen knew he wanted to become a doctor. He credits the lifelong dream to the care he received during his childhood visits to doctors. “I remember going to the doctor as a young boy and admiring how they cared for children and how they helped so many,” recalls Dr. Nguyen. “It made me want to be a doctor. I was so young, I can’t remember a time when I didn’t want to be a doctor.”
Dr. Nguyen is a Polk County Medical Association member and a board-certified pediatrician with Bond Clinic, and he says that while he chose to become a doctor, the field of pediatrics chose him. Since his childhood, he has wanted to take care of children and attend to their well-being. “When I was taking my medical exams, I actually scored very high in obstetrics and gynecology, but I was already drawn to pediatrics. It is my passion,” says Dr. Nguyen.
Dr. Nguyen makes the point that it is an honor and a privilege to work in pediatrics and finds it very rewarding to work with a family and watch a child heal.
Dr. Nguyen is the first in his family to go through medical school. His twin brother is a professor. Dr. Nguyen grew up in Vietnam and came to the U.S. in 1990 where he attended high school at Santiago High School in Garden Grove, California. He graduated with a bachelor of science in biochemistry from the University of California of Riverside. He obtained a doctor of medicine from Ross University School of Medicine in the West Indies.
After medical school Dr. Nguyen chose to complete his residency at MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio. He testifies that finding where to complete one’s residency requires research and time. He spoke to the program director at MetroHealth first by phone and then face-to-face. He liked the program and thought it was best suited for him. “I felt MetroHealth matched what I wanted to do. They trained me very well. It was a great opportunity and a great program.”
During his residency, Dr. Nguyen trained under Pulmonologist Dr. David Birnkrant. He regards Dr. Birnkrant as a mentor who taught him to be a better physician. Mentorship is a type of formal social support that is important for medical professional development for both career selection and advancement. The medical field is difficult and challenging, but with many rewards, and a mentor plays a large role in a physician’s development and success.
Dr. Nguyen completed his residency and accepted what he calls a “giant opportunity” with Bond Clinic in Winter Haven. He has been with the clinic since August 2007. He manages a solo practice as the only pediatrician at the clinic and works alongside Courtney Jones, a certified pediatric nurse practitioner. “Courtney has been a pediatric nurse practitioner for 11 years. We work hard and make a good team,” states Dr. Nguyen.
Dr. Nguyen and Jones strive to promote wellness by focusing on growth and development for each child, and to provide up-to-date medical care in times of sickness. Dr. Nguyen has had the privilege of building the practice from the ground up. When he joined the Bond Clinic, he was seeing one to two patients per day. Since then, the practice has grown to 20 to 30 patients per day, on average. “It was the right opportunity for me. They care about my success,” says Dr. Nguyen.
The Bond Clinic is one of the oldest businesses in Winter Haven. Founded in 1948 by Dr. Benjamin Bond, Dr. Rita Marotti, Dr. T.C. Keramidas, and Dr. William T. Steele., the clinic has grown throughout the years from four doctors to more than 40, encompassing 20 specialties.
Nguyen is appreciative of the mentorship he received from Dr. Birnkrant and uses his experiences as a physician to help others on their journey. He is a clinic preceptor for the University of South Florida and the University of Central Florida. He teaches medical students onsite at his office at the clinic. As a clinical preceptor, he serves as a clinical teacher to guide, observe and assess the educational activities of a physician.
Dr. Nguyen is married to his wife Anh and they are the proud parents of a nine-month-old son Alberstein.
Dr. Nguyen TIMELINE:
1990 – Came to the U.S. from Vietnam
2004 – Medical Degree from Ross University School of Medicine
{YEAR} – Married to wife Anh
2006 – Internship in Pediatrics at MetroHealth Medical Center
2007 – Residency in Pediatrics at MetroHealth Medical Center
August 2007 to Present – Joined Bond Clinic in Winter Haven
{YEAR} to Present – Clinic Preceptor for the University of South Florida and the University of Central Florida
CREDITS
story by JO LYNN DEAL
