Dr. Thao “Jane” Cao was inspired by Virginia Garcia’s strong commitment to serving immigrants and underserved communities because it resonates with her own journey as an immigrant. Her family came to the United States in 1994 through a resettlement program for former reeducation camp detainees, after her father spent eight years imprisoned for serving alongside the U.S. military during the Vietnam War. Arriving in Portland with very little, her family was grateful for the program’s temporary support, which included food stamps and free medical and dental care while her parents searched for work.
Outside of work, Dr. Cao enjoys spending time in the kitchen where she is always looking for ways to improve and personalize recipes. Two of her specialties are ube cookies and Vietnamese steamed pork buns. She also enjoys staying active by going on outdoor runs with her husband and motivating herself by signing up for local running events each year.
As a dental care provider, Dr. Cao believes in treating every patient with patience and kindness. She takes time to listen closely to their concerns and works to personalize each visit to meet their unique oral health needs and goals.
