Hi Khanh, welcome to Luna! Tell us about you!
Well, I was about 3 years old when my family, along with thousands of other ‘boat people’, escaped Vietnam. In the chaos, my brother, weary from swimming in the darkness with me on his back, left me on the side of a river bank. Luckily, through the grace of a stranger, I was reunited with my family. Half of the people on the journey perished in the South China Sea, crammed on a fishing boat with little food or water.
If that helpful stranger hadn’t picked me up and carried me to safety, and luckily to the same beach and boat as my family, I would either not be alive or I would have grown up in the countryside of a poverty-stricken country. Giving back and seeking opportunities to make a difference feels natural. Originally, I studied law, thinking that was the best way to help others. However, a family illness and my responsibility to my family meant refocusing on gainful employment rather than school. My mother raised 5 children with little help or rest. It was my priority to ensure that her retirement became a reality, and it has to date, been my greatest achievement.
What's your professional background?
I started out working in nonprofits at the US Geological Survey, the White House as an intern, and in Massachusetts at the Office for Refugees and Immigrants as as a program manager. For a time, I did research at Harvard’s School of Public Health. I compiled data to analyze health system performance and design reform strategies for strengthening health care delivery in developing countries.
I’ve been in operations, sales partnership and business development at a variety of tech companies since then. I’m grateful to have experienced the advances of technology and how digitalization can transform every industry and vertical. I’m excited to leverage today’s technology to transform lives through simplification of processes and decentralization of systems. I love how tech can simplify and automate processes that otherwise ensnare and complicates our lives and careers.
What led you to choose Luna?
I actually didn't know much about physical therapy, so I needed to find out more, to make sure it was a good fit. I was fortunate to be able to spend some time evaluating my role. I spent a few weeks talking with physical therapists, discussing the value proposition that Luna presented. I spoke to many physical therapists to understand their issues and concerns within the industry. It was confirmation enough for me; I knew Luna would enable therapists to do the job they had been trained to do. In my role, I get to share with therapists how Luna’s technology can change physical therapy. It feels almost selfish not to share.
I’m here to help empower therapists to get back to doing what they love. I’m humbled by the tenacity of physical therapists’, their overwhelming desire to help others when their working conditions are less than ideal. While therapists may not directly say they are burned out, their stories of having to hit productivity metrics or trying to squeeze in 2-minute bathroom breaks speak loudly for the need for greater care for the therapists. Despite these stories, therapists are still so focused on patient well-being and care. I am in awe of their compassion, empathy, and professionalism.
What do you love about what you do?
Many of my tech roles involved evangelizing technology. Instead of sharing the benefits of software to large enterprises, now I get to deliver opportunities, promises, and possibilities to individuals. In doing so, they’ll be able to find a work-life balance that is meaningful to them.
What's the best part of being a part of Lunaverse?
I love learning and solving problems in this industry. Healthcare is changing, and I see Luna as being the tip of the spear to alter the path and lives of so many. We’re just getting started, and already I have met some pretty incredible people. I can’t wait to accompany them on this journey and to see the incremental impact we will have.
Just For Fun! Get to Know Me Better
Given the choice of anyone in the world, whom would you want as a dinner guest?
Anthony Bourdain! His book Kitchen Confidential was one of the first books I read when I moved to California. I have a passion for food, travel, and people. He gave me permission to experience it on my own terms, to enjoy all celebrations of life, frequently, regardless of size. Tony was a great example of how to live your most authentic self.
For what in your life do you feel most grateful?
I’ve had a ridiculously crazy, awesome life. I feel very grateful for my experiences.
If you could wake up tomorrow having gained any one quality or ability, what would it be?
Courage, the courage to step up and step into every interaction that’s been thrown my way and to do the very best with what’s been bestowed. I’ll also happily embrace the ability to wake up and be woke.
