Northern Sydney Local Health District recently welcomed members from Hoc Mai to celebrate and acknowledge the official transfer of Hoc Mai from the University of Sydney to NSLHD.

Hoc Mai is a not-for-profit foundation that brings together the collective healthcare knowledge and experience of Australia and Vietnam in an educational partnership aiming to improve health outcomes through education and research. 

Hoc Mai undertakes activities in partnership with a number of public hospitals including those within NSLHD and Sydney Local Health District, the Children’s Hospital at Westmead, and private hospitals such as Sydney Adventist Hospital and North Shore Private Hospital.

Through programs such as the Clinical Observer Program and the Advanced Course in Medical Education, Hoc Mai facilitates the development of knowledge of Vietnamese doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers to improve healthcare delivery among Vietnamese people.

A Memorandum of Understanding between the four parties (NSLHD, Hoc Mai – the Australia Vietnam Foundation, Vietnam National University and E Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam) was signed as part of this event. 

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard, a former Hoc Mai board member attended the event and acknowledged Emeritus Professor Kerry Goulston AO, Chairman Professor Bruce Robinson AC and Hoc Mai board members for their work. 

“In over 20 years, the foundation has enabled hundreds of fellowships for Vietnamese health professionals to study in Australia, while a similar number of Australian clinicians have gained invaluable medical experience in Vietnam,” he said.

“There is much we can learn from each other, and I want to thank the foundation for enabling this to happen.”

NSLHD Chief Executive Deb Willcox said Hoc Mai and NSLHD have shared values in improving health outcomes.

“There are a lot of similarities between Hoc Mai and NSLHD, most of all, our collective commitment to improving health outcomes through education and research,” she said.