Translating research to help save lives in medical emergencies

The Emergency Medicine Foundation (EMF) is a non-profit organisation funding innovative Australian research that improves the way people are cared for in a medical emergency. They support emergency health professionals – doctors, nurses, paramedics, retrieval staff and allied health professionals – to design, execute and translate world-leading research into more cost-effective healthcare delivery.

As the Emergency Medicine Foundation’s General Manager, Angie Nguyen Vu leads the team and works closely with the Board to set and achieve strategic direction, organisational objectives, vision and purpose. Angie is also responsible for overseeing the foundation’s research grants programs in her capacity as Research Manager. She has extensive experience in university research and research management in Germany, USA, Switzerland and Australia. Read on for our interview with Angie!

Describe your career trajectory and how you got to your current position.

I undertook my PhD at the University Zurich, Switzerland and have worked in research management ever since. After moving to Australia in 2012, I worked in various research administration and research management positions until I found my ‘dream job’ at the Emergency Medicine Foundation (EMF). At EMF, we fund clinicians-researchers to conduct research into improving emergency care for patients. I was recruited as a Grants Associate in 2018 and was promoted to Research Manager after a very short time. Being responsible for our research grants programs, I was able to build up strong relationships with our stakeholders and was promoted to General Manager in 2022.

What does this role mean to you?

I love my job as General Manager at EMF. It is a fantastic organisation: I work with a dedicated team who I trust and appreciate. I also have a positive and supportive Board who volunteers their precious time to be part of EMF. Patients in a medical emergency are at their most vulnerable, and I’m proud to be able to contribute to improving outcomes for patients but also to support our amazing emergency care workforce.

If you could go back in time, what piece of advice would you give yourself as you first embarked on your career? 

The right things happen at the right time. Be patient, work hard and pursue your goals, and things will fall into place. Also, establishing and maintaining strong and respectful relationships with colleagues and stakeholders is incredibly important. If people trust you to be reliable and helpful, it is much easier to communicate and collaborate with your stakeholders, and they are also more willing to support you and your organisation.

How do you stay motivated to work in this field?

I am very privileged to work with EMF-funded emergency clinicians who are incredibly passionate, dedicated and intelligent people. EMF-funded research projects are varied and interesting, and have the potential to benefit hospitals, patients and the clinicians. There are challenging times when the pressure is on, but they are often offset by wonderful success stories by our clinician-researchers.

How do you unwind after work?

I’m a passionate rock climber, and most of my free time is spent either in the climbing gym, or at Brisbane’s Kangaroo Point. I love climbing long and adventurous routes, and almost all my holidays are climbing holidays. I often joke that because of my passion for adventure sports, I have a vested interest in improving emergency care. The below photo shows me traversing past the Totem Pole in Tasmania.