Photo By Jennifer Scales | Dr. Dai Phan, maxillofacial prosthodontist in the Columbia VA Health Care System,...... read more read more
An eight-year-old dodging rockets.
A nine-year-old in prison.
A ten-year-old left in the ocean for dead.
Three different persons? No, it’s just some of the childhood life experiences of the Columbia VA Health Care System maxillofacial prosthodontist, Dr. Dai Phan.
Born in Vietnam, he arrived with his mother, father and brothers in the untraditional method of a crowded, small fishing boat during the time of the Vietnam Conflict. Once Phan had a solid footing in his new country, he envisioned himself becoming an actor or even a lawyer.
Putting his tribulations behind him, Phan forged ahead with an education that led him to achieve an aerospace engineering degree from Wichita State University. His subsequent educational accomplishments included serving as an assistant professor for 16 years at the University of Tennessee; receiving a fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York City; and other educational accomplishments in Wisconsin, Nebraska and Missouri.
Now firmly entrenched in Veterans Affairs here at the Wm. Jennings Bryan Dorn VA Medical Center, Phan is a dentist by profession. His skills involve the rehabilitation of patients with defects or deficits of the face, jaws and surrounding soft tissue that may have occurred through development, trauma or disease.
“Eye, ear, nose restoration, tongue and palette…I do it all,” Phan said. “All replacements are done with the use of prosthetics.”
The career he has chosen fits him well, at least according to Phan.
“I’m artistic,” Phan said. “Playing the piano, writing and composing music, and cooking are just some of the things that I enjoy doing when I’m not at work. It just matches up for me to be in a career where I can compose and reconstruct in almost a same style.”
And like many of the employees who work in the Columbia VAHCS, Phan enjoys the conversations he has with Veterans, especially those who served during the Vietnam Era.
“Some war time Veterans tend to be conservative in their conversations with doctors,” Phan began. “But once they realize that I share a common interest with them, they are more open in talking to me. It’s like a closure sometimes…a catharsis for them.”
Phan is no stranger to the spotlight either. He is frequently called upon to headline speaking and social engagements, especially during the Asian-Pacific Heritage celebrations around the country. Phan has also been featured in several online and print publications. (Links to them noted at the end).
His artistic nature, as noted earlier, includes CD’s available at Barnes and Nobles which portrays his playing and composing spirit.
The single doctor and his Pomeranian Poodle reside in a home which has on display nearly a dozen full-sized replicas of suits of armor. “It’s just an enjoyable habit I have developed over the years,” Phan said. His personal small museum collection includes suits from Italy and Spain.
Phan knows how to be grateful for the good things that have come his way. “Because of my experiences, I feel like I know how to appreciate life and what it gives or takes away. I remember the chances that were given to me and those who have come and gone in my path to help me make it to this moment in my life.”
[Links to Dr. Phan's previous publications]:
1. https://www.studentdoctor.net/2007/08/14/another-face-of-dentistry-an-interview-with-dr-dai-chinh-phan-dds-ms-maxillofacial-prosthodontics/
2. https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/14031/the-other-face-of-va-dentistry/
3. https://www.va.gov/opa/publications/vanguard/09janfebVG.pdf
| Date Taken: | 03.05.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 03.05.2019 09:58 |
| Story ID: | 312912 |
| Location: | COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 379 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Life, liberty, pursuit of freedom leads to dental career for Columbia VAHCS employee, by Jennifer Scales, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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