Today, my wife Natalie and our two children live in Hillsboro. But, my story dates back to 1980 when I came to the U.S. with my family as a one-year-old refugee from Vietnam.

My parents, pregnant with me, escaped on a boat into the open ocean, not knowing if they were going to survive the journey. While at sea the boat was robbed by pirates on several different occasions. Eventually we were rescued by a commercial vessel and taken to a refugee camp in Malaysia, where I was born in the modest grass hut pictured here.  My family was determined to get to the United States, and we were eventually sponsored by a church and emigrated to Corvallis, Oregon.

We didn’t have much growing up so I focused on studying hard in school, and made my way through Oregon State University, and completed my specialty training in Pediatric Dentistry at OHSU and Doernbecher in 2009.

I got diagnosed with leukemia in 2007 right before I was about to start my residency at OHSU & Doernbecher. I wasted away for months because I could not afford the $15,000 monthly copays for my cancer treatment. This experience furthered my passion for health system reforms, as I struggled to pay medical bills and survive.

My life experience has helped shape me as a person and a healthcare provider. In 2010 I opened Hi 5 Dental Dentistry for Kids, to provide care for the underserved children of Washington County. Since then, I have expanded the practice and now serve children from all around the state. I have also have dedicated my life towards humanitarian volunteer work as well as serving on many boards and committees including:

• Governor’s Children Cabinet, Cabinet member

• MODA Health, Board of Directors

• Dental Foundation of Oregon, Board of Directors

• Randall Children’s Hospital, Department Chair

• Workforce & Talent Development Board, member

• Oregon Board of Dentistry, Former Board member

America has been great to my family. I love this country and I believe that we can work together so that the door for opportunity can be open to everyone. I will bring my experience as a business owner, healthcare provider, my volunteer work, and being a life-long humanitarian to serve the people of House District 36. I am honored and humbled to serve as your State Representative.