Vinh Dang, MPAS, PA-C, DFAAPA | Preceptor/Mentor of the Year

MAPA is pleased to present Vinh Dang, PA-C, DFAAPA, as MAPA 2021 Preceptor of the Year. Vinh practices with Allina Health Orthopedics as an orthopedic PA. Aside from his robust clinical and surgical practice and great reputation with patients, Vinh is well-known to local PA programs where he has served as adjunct faculty and mentored and precepted countless PA students, who always receive the highest quality education when on rotation with him. One nominator described first meeting Vinh as an 8th grader and patient and being inspired to become a PA, which they have now achieved with Vinh’s mentorship. Vinh truly epitomizes a PA preceptor and mentor. Congratulations, Vinh!

Message from Vinh:
“I am humbled and honored to be receiving this award. Thank you to the students who nominated me! It is a very special honor and am excited to be calling them my colleagues soon! In life we are given choices that will determine our path. We are never sure of the outcome of those choices or whether that path will lead us to accomplish our goals. But if given the proper advice and guidance, coupled with good work ethic and desire, at least we may have the possibility of fulfilling those goals. I would not be here without the advice and guidance I sought from my mentors, professors, and preceptors. Thus, I have always enjoyed paying it forward to other students who desire to be in this profession and giving them the advice they seek. Some students can get there on their own but if we work as a collective, for the collective, we can likely accomplish that goal sooner. And likely achieve it with more fun because you are meeting new people with differing views and recommendations!! Miles Davis once said, “It took me a long time to learn to play like myself.” I have always looked up to my mentors, the torch bearers, learning from the best like: Bev, Clover, Walt, Dave, Jen, Becky, Leslie, Donna just to name a few! But I had to eventually learn my own voice and provide the delivery of medicine and care in my own way. Thus, if you are able, pay it forward, teach/help students in your own way, it creates a network of friends and acquaintances that is just beautiful. Thank you again!”

Messages from Nominators:

"It is with great pleasure that I nominate Mr. Vinh Dang for the MAPA 2021 Preceptor/Mentor of the Year Award. In addition to being an excellent physician assistant in the metro area, Vinh makes an extraordinary commitment to supporting the professional growth of Pre-PAs, PA students, practicing PAs, and other colleagues. I know this from personal experience.

As I began my journey towards PA school, Vinh took time away from his busy schedule to meet with me and answer the million questions I had about becoming a PA. I immediately could feel that Vinh was not only passionate about caring for others but truly passionate about being a leader in the profession.
Networking with Vinh played a vital role in my professional growth and acceptance into a PA program. Vinh aided me in preparing for program interviews and calming me by teaching me what to expect at an interview day, reviewing some of the basic topics I should know, explaining the various types of interviews, and providing example questions. Vinh also helped me network with various current PA students which allowed me to learn more about individual programs, the student populations at the programs, and get a better overall understanding of what to expect as a PA student.

In addition, Mr. Dang assisted me with setting up days to shadow him in clinic and in surgery. Lastly, Vinh helped me with the application process by reviewing my personal statement and providing constructive feedback. No matter where I am at in my professional career path, I know I can depend on Mr. Dang to assist me in my professional growth.

Mr. Vinh Dang is an all-around positive ambassador for the PA profession and for promoting and supporting the professional growth of other individuals. I know that I am only one of many people who Vinh has helped make their dreams a reality. It is with great pleasure that I respectfully submit this nomination for Mr. Vinh Dang to be recognized as Preceptor/Mentor of the Year."

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"Where to begin. Vinh was an outstanding preceptor during my rotation with Sports and Orthopedic Specialists/Allina Orthopedics. I have known that I wanted to end up in orthopedics before I began PA school, so I was beyond excited to have this rotation as my preceptorship, and to have it with Vinh as he had been a guest lecturer at Augsburg during my didactic phase. Prior to my rotation, I emailed and asked Vinh for any topics/readings I should cover so I could be prepared for my rotation. He almost immediately responded with an organized list of topics to research which would allow me to have more in-depth conversations and ask more specific questions to the other providers I would work with during my rotation. This allowed me to get even more out of my orthopedic rotation than I could have imagined. Additionally, he created a schedule which provided me with opportunities to work with a variety of providers in different orthopedic subspecialties. He was able to work all of this out during the COVID-19 pandemic and still managed to provide the best care for his patients.

Not only did Vinh push me and challenge me when I worked with him by asking me pertinent anatomy questions during surgeries or thinking of extended differential diagnoses in clinic, etc., but he also continuously provided me with support and encouragement throughout my entire rotation. He would check in to make sure I was having a good experience with each provider I worked with and was always available if I had any additional questions. He was timely in his responses and provided me with constructive feedback when he noticed areas in which I needed improvement.

Because I was able to have a preceptor like Vinh, I want to be able to take on students when I become a PA-C. He truly understands the “pay it forward” model of being a teacher and I hope to do the same. I wish every PA student could have a mentor like Vinh."

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"Vinh Dang encapsulates what it means to be an PA and mentor. When I look back on my PA journey, Vinh has been part of every single aspect of my journey. I would not have been able to get into Mayo Clinic’s PA program without him. Vinh has been my mentor since I was in 8th grade. I had an ortho injury and throughout my ortho visits with him, he noticed my interest in medicine and kept feeding my curiosity in the PA profession. After a few visits and multiple questions to Vinh, I knew that the PA role was the one for me.

My early passion for the PA role allowed me to get a head start on patient care hours which strengthened my patient centered skills. Additionally, he gave me my firsthand exposure into the PA profession by shadowing him. The way he cared for every patient stood out to me. He would actually listen to the patient and ask questions to gain a full understanding of the patient. He would listen with more intention than just fixing the patient’s orthopedic needs. He would listen to who they were as a person, their quality of life, who their family was, and more. He would then ask if they have adequate help at home after surgery, how they are performing in school, and other quality of life questions that are very important, but often overlooked. In return for listening and asking pertinent questions, his patients adored him and had wonderful outcomes. He is a perfect example about what it means to provide patient centered care.

Vinh is also very intelligent. When shadowing him, I would have multiple questions and he would answer them in a way I could understand. He was also humble enough to admit when he did not know the answer, but that was a rare occasion. He sacrifices his valuable free time to educate himself for his patients. He spends his time keeping up with the latest research and is always pushing himself to learn more to be the best provider. With medicine continuously improving, Vinh set the example for me to continuously learn in order to improve my patient care skills.
Further, Vinh assisted me with getting an orthopedic internship where I was able to gain numerous shadowing hours. I was able to shadow various types of healthcare professionals in clinic and in the operating room. This increased my understanding of the PA profession and the importance of working with other health care professionals. During this internship, Vinh assisted me in writing a journal article which was accepted and published in the JBJS JOPA “Journal of orthopedics for physician assistants.” The whole publishing process taught me how to write journal articles and what it takes to get published. This opportunity to write and get published increased my excitement for the research side of the PA profession.

In addition, Vinh is always willing to give me time for any of my questions or dilemmas. Deciding which PA school to go to was a very stressful situation for me, but Vinh was there to help guide me in my decision making, even if it took hours. I know he is someone I can count on to answer all my questions. PA school is confusing, stressful, and overwhelming, but he is able to remind me that I can get through it and that it is all worth it in the end.
I remember asking Vinh why he is so invested in giving back and he said it is because that is what the PA profession is about: it is about giving back in every way possible to improve patient care. Vinh is passionate about the PA profession, mentoring, and providing the best care to his patients. His humility, intelligence, patient centeredness, drive, and compassion exemplify what a PA should be. I am so fortunate to have the privilege of having him as a mentor. Without him, I would not be nearly as good as a PA student as I am now. Thank you Vinh for your heart and passion for the PA profession. Thank you for your endless support and for teaching me what the PA profession is about."

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