#FriendswithUCSF | Scott Swartz
“Every exchange has a story, and every story brings us closer together!”
#FriendsWithUCSF is a storytelling series dedicated to sharing the experiences of residents participating in the VinUni–UCSF Residency Exchange Program. Through their personal journeys, we celebrate cross-cultural learning, professional growth, and the meaningful connections that strengthen the partnership between VinUni and UCSF.
Today, meet Scott, a third-year Internal Medicine resident from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). As part of the VinUni–UCSF Residency Exchange Program, Scott shares his experiences, insights, and reflections on collaborating with colleagues in Vietnam. His journey highlights the value of cross-cultural learning, professional growth, and the lasting connections built through international medical education.
1.Why did you choose Vietnam for this exchange program?
“I chose Vietnam because I was very curious and wanted to experience the healthcare system here, especially in the field I am interested in solid tumor oncology and palliative care. Friends from UCSF who had participated in exchange programs in Vietnam told me that it was a very interesting and valuable experience, so I decided to choose Vietnam, specifically Vinmec Times City Hospital and 108 Military Central Hospital. In addition, I also wanted to visit famous landmarks in Vietnam, experience the culture and cuisine, and meet the people here, who are truly kind and wonderful.”
Dr. Scott Swartz (middle) joins the exchange program in Vinmec Times City Cancer Cente
2. Could you share a bit about your exchange experience in Vietnam, especially in the field of oncologythat you plan to pursue as a fellow?
“At UCSF, Oncology is a large specialty with many smaller units, such as daycare, inpatient wards, and outpatient clinics, located in different places across the same city. I chose Oncology because, to me, it is a fascinating field. I want to communicate with and accompany patients, and to stay by their side throughout their treatment journey. I was very surprised that Vinmec has a cancer treatment system quite similar to that in my country. Although the doctors have to manage multiple floors at the same time, including both inpatient and outpatient care, they still gave me opportunities to participate in discussions about treatment plans and patient examinations. I also met several international patients, so the language barrier was no longer an obstacle, which made me very happy.
3. What is your favorite Vietnamese dish? (We ask every resident this question.)
“I was very impressed by all Vietnamese food. In fact, there has not been any dish that I found bad or could not eat. The VinUni residents were also surprised by my ability to use chopsticks, and I am quite proud of that. One thing I really love is Vietnamese coffee. I especially like “bạc xỉu”. The VinUni residents also introduced me to many street foods and “tào phớ”. It was truly wonderful!”
Dr. Scott and Internal Medicine residents from VinUniversity
4. What is your most memorable experience withVinUniresidents during your time in Vietnam?
“The VinUni residents were very friendly. They never left me alone and always invited me whenever they went out to eat. They were also very open in discussing and explaining how they work, as well as the workflow in different departments. Through the lunchtime teaching sessions, I learned a lot from their clinical cases. In return, they also actively discussed one of my cases from UCSF.”
Dr. Scott shares a clinical case at noon conferences with other Internal Medicine residents
Stay tuned as we continue to share inspiring stories from the people behind the VinUni–UCSF partnership!
