Rooted in Care, Driven by Purpose: Meet Phung Tran ’12, D.O.

Every day Phung Tran ’12, D.O., asks herself this question: How can she best help her patients maximize their ability to function as fully and independently as possible, and prioritize their physical, emotional and spiritual well-being? It serves as her North Star. Caring for patients and keeping up with the near constant advancements in medicine, from evolving treatments for cancer and dementia to new drugs to aid in weight loss, make life busy for any physician. For Tran, work is particularly absorbing. After completing a residency in family medicine at Our Lady of Lourdes Memorial Hospital in Binghamton, New York, she went on to work as a family medicine physician at what is now known as Guthrie Lourdes Hospital before opening her own osteopathic manipulative medicine practice in the state’s Southern Tier. The work stretches her as a professional and as a human being, and has been enormously rewarding.

A native of Binghamton, New York, Tran first felt pulled to medicine when she was just 6 years old and her younger sister was diagnosed with leukemia. She spent a great deal of time in hospitals while her sibling received treatment – observing, listening, wondering. She was intrigued by the science that lies at the heart of medicine, and fascinated by the art that is required for a doctor to establish a rapport with a patient. Those feelings never left or even dissipated.

Following her graduation from Seton Catholic Central, Tran earned a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Le Moyne and a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine. She made the most of her years at both institutions. During her time on the Heights, Tran conducted research in the lab of Associate Professor of Chemistry Joseph Mullins, Ph.D., and served as an organic chemistry workshop leader and a tutor in the Student Success Center. She also held leadership roles in Asian Students in Alliance, Biochemistry Club and the Chemistry Club. As a medical student, she served as a laboratory technician at the Biddeford Free Clinic in Maine.

Tran’s understanding of anatomy, biology and physiology are, of course, crucial to her work in diagnosing patients who are ill and in designing effective treatment plans for them. However, they are not the only skills upon which she relies. She also draws on her capacity to listen carefully to each patient. Tran understands how important it is to come to know the people she cares for individuals. Each brings to the exam room a distinct set of challenges, experiences and expectations, all of which are factors in the care she provides to them.