Van is a Vietnam-born American, a first-year medical student at the University of Washington, and a proud Summer Search Seattle alum. Coming from a low-income immigrant background, he has seen first-hand the life-changing impact of amazing mentorship from Summer Search which helped him strive to meet his potential while navigating socioeconomic barriers.

His long-term goals as a future physician include bridging the gap of access to good healthcare for immigrant and refugee patients, as well as learning how to be a culturally sensitive provider for underserved communities. As a new member of the Seattle alumni board, Van hopes to continue supporting Summer Search to continue changing lives for young people.

When he’s not nose-deep in the books, Van is usually playing video games, writing, and learning new dance choreographies.