Thanh Le, CNP

What is your practice philosophy? Expressing empathy, one patient at a time, advances humanism in healthcare. I believe even the smallest notion of empathy and compassion facilitates trusting relationships with patients and improves health outcomes.

Hometown: Saigon,Vietnam

What are you passionate about? And why? I am passionate about pulmonary medicine because I get to help patients who struggled to find relief through common approaches while providing continuity of care to those with chronic lung disease. It is an opportunity to make a significant impact on a patient’s quality of life, and to encourage lifestyle changes and to teach coping strategies

If I wasn’t a provider, I would be a: Marine biologist because I am fascinated by the animals, plant, and microscopic life in the oceans all the while addressing the environmental change and resource management

Why did you become a provider? When did you know this was the career for you? As a bedside nurse for a decade, I encountered patients at their sickest. This motivated me to become a nurse practitioner so that I can encourage patients to be proactive in their health and to take strides to improve their quality of life

Something I have learned from my patients is: I have learned the importance of looking beyond just “another XYZ” patient because each patients is someone’s parent, partner, child, or friend

One of the challenges of this career that I enjoy is (and why): Talking to patients about smoking cessation because it prevents premature deaths among other health benefits

My personal health goal is: To PR at the Disney Princess half marathon

What is the best thing you’ve done for your health or the best health advice you’ve received? If you do not make time for your wellness, you will be forced to make time for your illness

What are you most proud of? Being a first generation Asian-American immigrant who is the first in the family to obtain a graduate degree

What are a few of your personal achievements?

• Snowboarding in the back bowls at Vail Mountain in 2019
• Hiking to and standing on top of Kjerabolten (Google it) in Norway in 2018
• Swimming with Great White sharks in Gansbaai, South Africa in 2015