Thanh Nguyen, PhD, MSN, FNP-C
Chief Technology Officer

Thanh T. Nguyen, Ph.D., MSN, FNP-C, is a highly accomplished healthcare professional with a background in emergency medicine, medical research and academia. He currently serves as the Chief Technology Officer for University Medical Devices, and he is the designer and developer of MicroWash. Dr. Nguyen is deeply committed to integrating technology into medicine to address healthcare disparities and improve patient outcomes.

As an Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Dr. Nguyen founded the Open-MediciNE initiative, a groundbreaking project aimed at bringing low-cost, durable health technologies to underserved and developing regions. His research focuses on devising innovative solutions for respiratory pathogen collection, wound care and emergency medical procedures. He is also founded and leads the Innovation Team for the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit and the National Quarantine Unit.

Dr. Nguyen has received research funding from the UNMC Department of Emergency Medicine for multiple projects, including the evaluation of respiratory virus testing methods and the development of rapid blood smear devices. He has also been awarded grants for addressing asthma care disparities, developing an open-sourced nebulizer device and incorporating AI-generated art and music into medical workflows.

Dr. Nguyen’s contributions to emergency medicine and medical technology have made a profound impact on both patient care and health equity, earning him the University of Nebraska’s coveted Faculty Intellectual Property Innovation and Commercialization Award (FIPICA) in 2025.

In addition to his academic and research roles, Dr. Nguyen has extensive clinical experience, with more than 12 years of practice as an emergency medicine provider. He has worked as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse in several healthcare institutions, including Bellevue Medical Center, Nebraska Medicine Department of Emergency Medicine and the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Beyond clinical practice and research, Dr. Nguyen has been actively involved in teaching and mentoring activities, serving as an instructor and advisor for various healthcare courses and projects. He has also presented his research findings at regional, national and international conferences, emphasizing the importance of innovation in healthcare and sharing his knowledge and expertise with a global audience.

Dr. Nguyen earned his Medical Sciences Interdepartmental Area and Innovation Science doctorate from UNMC. He also holds an MS in nursing from the UNMC College of Nursing and a BS in nursing from the University of Texas Health Science Center School of Nursing.

With his extensive background in emergency medicine, medical research and technology integration, Dr. Nguyen is a prominent figure in the healthcare industry. His passion for eliminating healthcare disparities and his commitment to improving patient care through innovative approaches make him a respected leader and advocate for the assimilation of technology into medicine.