On August 8, 2019, the award ceremony of the 7th "Top Ten Health Guards in the Captial" was held in Beijing. Professor Cui Liying from the Department of Neurology of Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) was awarded this honorable title.

Professor Cui Liying at the award ceremony (courtesy of the organizing committee)

Having been a doctor for 37 years, Cui Liying now is a leading figure in neurology in China. She has twice served as the chairwoman of the Chinese Society of Neurology, presided over the development of more than 20 guidelines for the prevention and treatment of neurological diseases, published over 500 scientific articles, and authored more than 20 books. Under her leadership, the Department of Neurology of PUMCH has been ranked first in the list of “Ranking of Superiority Specialty of Chinese Hospitals” for seven consecutive years, and its capabilities in managing difficult nervous system diseases have reached international standards.

After decades of hard work, Cui and her team has established a "gold standard" for the diagnosis of amyptrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and achieved the standardization of electromyography for ALS, which enable the early diagnosis of ALS, delay disease progression, and improve the quality of life of patients. In 2004, with the support of the Chinese Medical Doctors Association, she established the ALS Collaborative Group and set up an ALS Family for patients, which help patients raise funds and purchase equipment, thus encouraging them to fight against the disease. “Let patients know they are not alone and they can live with hope,” as mentioned by Cui frequently.

From April 2018 to January 2019, the Beijing Municipal Health Committee and the Capital Health System Spiritual Civilization Construction Coordination Committee jointly initiated the recommendation and assessment of candidates for the 7th "Top Ten Health Guards in the Capital” in medical institutions in Beijing. After the recommendation by all medical institutions, assessment by the whole sector, online voting, media release, and review and approval by the jury, Cui and other nine people were elected as the winner of the honorable title of “Top Ten Health Guards of the Capital”.