Medical Assistant Linh Tran’s Journey from Vietnam to the Frontlines of Healthcare
When medical assistant Linh Tran greets patients, she can relate to the nervousness that comes when there’s a language barrier. “I always smile when I check in with them. I ask if they’re uncomfortable,” she explains.
Tran and her husband left Vietnam for California more than 20 years ago to work and send funds back to their family. She vividly remembers the culture shock – feeling lonely and isolated while adjusting to her new environment. When her first son was born with autism, she faced challenges communicating clearly with his doctor. All this motivated Tran to improve her language skills and carve out a career path for herself.
After completing an ESL class at Santa Barbara City College, Tran enrolled in the medical assistant program. “I was scared,” she admits. “I didn’t think I could pursue a career in the medicine with no background or experience, but I did it.”
Three years ago, Tran began her first week in the Occupational Medicine Department at Sansum Clinic, now part of Sutter Health. She says it felt daunting. “I was worried, but everyone was so kind and the nurse who trained me was so patient,” shares Tran.
The regular work of a medical assistant (MA) which she learned in the classroom got put into practice. She would take patients’ blood pressure, schedule their appointments and encourage them to stay calm. She watched her work colleagues and eventually her confidence grew. “Linh is an exceptional MA,” says Samorn Wright, Area Manager for Occupational Medicine and Tran’s supervisor. “She’s lovely, humble and always busy, finding things to do to help the team.”
Tran appreciates the special moments celebrated in her department.
When Tran’s self-doubt would creep in, she’d remind herself how her presence could be comfort to others. “It’s important in addition to good service to have a variety of staff from different backgrounds,” she notes.
When Tran’s husband received a cancer diagnosis, she put everything she learned in the program and on the job to work – monitoring his symptoms, talking to his physicians and advocating for his care until he was cancer free.
The life Tran and her husband have created for themselves, and their two sons seems almost unreal to her family back home. Her educational journey though, is far from over. A phlebotomist license is Tran’s latest achievement, and she’s now planning to become a nurse.
“The more I do this, the more I enjoy it,” Tran says. “Some days I wake up and come to work and say, ‘Am I really here?’ It’s a dream come true.”
Medical Assistants Recognition Week (October 20-24, 2025) is celebrated annually to honor these medical professionals for the vital role they play in ensuring patient comfort, safety, and well-being.
