Alumni improves healthcare access in Cao Bang, Vietnam

January 29, 2025

BY Isabel Berman

Alumni Todd Erlandson (M.Arch '87), partner Leigh Hoffman (Newcomb '84) and the March Studio team recently celebrated the opening of the Good Samaritan Family Medical Center in Cao Bang, Vietnam. This milestone marks the culmination of a 20-year collaboration with Dr. Vien Doan to bring a state of the art healthcare center to a remote community in Vietnam.

The project, which broke ground in 2019, exemplifies the global impact of Tulane Architecture alumni. Despite facing numerous hurdles, including significant delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic, their commitment never wavered. Todd and his team were honored to attend the grand opening and witness the first patients benefiting from the facility.

The design of the medical center required meticulous attention to detail and adaptability to local conditions. This involved translating and reviewing all drawings to ensure they met local standards and were practical for the region's unique needs. The challenges of adapting the building's landscape to local irrigation systems were particularly significant, requiring modifications to ensure both maintainability and accessibility.

Reflecting on the impact of their work, Erlandson stated, “the appreciation of the people of Cao Bang for the building was the high point of the trip. Being able to sit in the reception area, speak to the patients through an interpreter, and hear their comments about the airiness of the building, its light-filled qualities, and the feeling that it had been made for them with dignity really made the project worthwhile.”

With the Good Samaritan Family Medical Center now operational, the team is already planning a second project nearby, hoping to replicate their success and continue contributing to the health and well-being of the Cao Bang community.

For more information, visit March Studio.