Shaping Their Futures Together: UIW Cousins and Friends Attend University Together

(L-R) Nathan Nguyen, Khanh Nguyen, Vi Nguyen, Han Nguyen, Josie Payne and Troy Nguyen

For many UIW students, both past and present, UIW's campuses serve as second homes that support their respective academic pursuits and dreams. Many leave UIW having made strong and lasting friendships, understanding what it means to be a part of the Incarnate Word family. However, some Cardinals have the fortunate experience of entering the Nest alongside family members and friends.

Vi Nguyen is a second-year student in the direct admit program for the UIW School of Osteopathic Medicine (UIWSOM). She was recently joined by her three cousins Nathan Nguyen, Troy Nguyen also UIWSOM direct admits, and Han Nguyen at the UIW Broadway campus. Additionally, two family friends also admitted through UIWSOM's direct admit program, Khanh Nguyen and Josie Payne, joined them. Having traveled from California to San Antonio, Texas to study on the UIW Broadways campus, the group of six were excited to share their academic journey.

The Nguyen family is no stranger to health professions. Vi's father and two of her uncles all have successful careers as doctors/general surgeons serving in San Jose, California. Vi noted that her father and her uncle both work in the same group and have helped to treat multiple patients throughout the years. Growing up, she was surrounded by doctors, but that wasn't what drew her to a career in medicine. Instead, her passion for social justice is what drove her to recognize that becoming a doctor can play a role in creating a better society for all. Through her career, she hopes to contribute to remedying inequities present in the healthcare industry.

With her sights set on becoming a doctor, she looked into direct admit programs when applying to undergraduate studies and came across UIW. Upon visiting San Antonio and meeting with University representatives, she knew she found the right fit.

"When we came here and met all the admissions people, they were all so nice," recalled Vi. "I could really feel it and see myself coming here."

Now, Vi is highly involved on the Broadway campus. She serves in multiple roles including President of the UIW Chapter of the Citizens Climate Lobby, Officer for Asian Culture Club, Officer for Students Supporting Refugees, Senator for Student Government Association, Radio Host for UIW's radio station KUIW and writer for UIW's student-led newsletter The Logos.

Having enjoyed her time thus far, she has since encouraged and successfully recruited her cousins and friends to join her at UIW. Similarly, many of Vi's cousins and friends have their own aspirations to become healthcare professionals.

"My dad is a general surgeon," noted Nathan. "I saw all the stuff he did, and how grateful his patients were for their operations. I wanted to also make a difference. I shadowed him for a little bit and found surgery fascinating. That's why I want to do surgery of some kind."

"I have wanted to be a doctor for about two or three years," shared Josie. "When I was taking advanced placement psychology, we did a developmental unit where we learned about babies and embryonic development. That's when I realized that it was my passion. That made me decide that I want to be an obstetrician-gynecologist (OBGYN) so I can work with babies. I'm presently considering specializing in maternal fetal medicine."

Vi and the group shared that the opportunity to live on campus together has allowed them to grow closer as family and friends. They also have been able to grow together academically, as they study and support each other in their respective paths while at UIW.

Additionally, they all agree that the city of San Antonio and the campus culture that UIW has offered them has been immensely welcoming, supportive and beneficial as they navigate their college experiences. Those involved in the UIWSOM direct admit program have especially expressed their appreciation for the upperclassmen who have mentored them as they complete their undergraduate studies.

As much support as they are receiving at UIW, Victoria, her family and her friends have not forgotten about their family back in California and how they are also continuously cheering them on.

"My parents are ultra supportive of me going into the healthcare industry," shared Vi. "I see how much they work. I know they work really hard, and sometimes they work long, stressful hours, but they're always fulfilled. I really want that fulfillment too."

"I would say that our family (the Nguyen family) is always trying to help grow the healthcare community," said Nathan. "They're always taking students on to shadow, and they always just want to teach more people about the field to help get more people interested in it."

"I'm a first-generation high school graduate and college student, so my parents are not healthcare professionals." noted Josie. "They worked really hard to send me here, though, and they're very supportive of it. I definitely have a lot of encouragement from them."

Although many of their higher education journeys have just begun, Dr. Huy Nguyen, Vi's father and founder/president/surgeon at Advanced Surgical Associates, Medical Group, shared this in support of his daughter, family and community:

"We are so proud of Vi, all her cousins and her friends who chose to go to San Antonio, TX and chose to attend UIW, and their many acceptances into the premed program. We are so proud of everyone."