Tan Lam – Founder & Educator
My name is Tan Lam. I have been teaching high school math and science for 26 years. Prior to becoming a teacher, I was a research scientist and a graduate student at Dartmouth Medical School, where I studied T cell responses to retroviruses. My research was published in professional medical journals including the American Journal of Medical Genetics, Journal of General Virology, Cellular Immunology, Viral Immunology, and Experimental Cell Research. Collectively, I have ten years of experience in medical research.
After earning my Master’s Degree in Biochemistry from Dartmouth College, I returned to my alma mater to teach science. My initial plan was to teach for three to five years before returning to medical school to earn a doctorate. That was 25 years ago, and I never returned to medical school.
Why did I choose teaching? As a former refugee and English language learner, I received significant support from schools, teachers, and nonprofit organizations. Many teachers went the extra mile to help me succeed. I feel a deep sense of gratitude to this country and to my teachers. Becoming a teacher is one of the best ways I can repay my debt to America and honor those who helped me. I strive to help students who are “average” or at-risk, like I once was, succeed academically, gain college admission, and achieve the American Dream—just as I have been blessed to do.
As my teaching career winds down, I have reflected on the legacy I wish to leave behind. My final dream took shape in 2019, when the Washington State Board of Education approved the Tu Luong Medical Mission Foundation to establish the Seattle Mini Medical School (SMMS). SMMS offers a full grades 6–12 curriculum and is a blended learning college preparatory school focused on STEM, Medicine, and Medical Mission. It is designed for students who are serious about pursuing careers in medicine.
SMMS gives high school students early exposure to the basic sciences of medicine and essential clinical skills. Through our medical mission program, students gain hands-on clinical experiences that cultivate compassion and help them understand the true meaning of medicine and service. My final chapter of Dreams from Vietnam is dedicated to guiding, encouraging, and educating the next generation of physicians, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to serve with compassion for the poor and underserved, both locally and globally.
ContactEmail is the preferred method for initial contact. I am a teacher and do not answer phone calls during school hours. Thank you for your understanding.
