August 19, 2022 marks the fifth “Chinese Doctors’ Day”. In the afternoon of August 17, PUMCH celebrated it to pay tribute to the ordinary but also extraordinary doctors and inspire all medical professionals of PUMCH to carry forward and pass on the spirit of doctors in the new era. The celebration aims at inspiring medical professionals to work hard in line with the Party’s guidance on their path of promoting the high-quality development of hospitals, safeguarding people’s health and building a healthy China.

Mr. Yang Jianli, executive deputy secretary of the party committee of units directly under the National Health Commission, delivered a video message, paying high tribute and expressing heartfelt gratitude to healthcare professionals who have long been fighting on the front line to protect people’s health and combat COVID-19. As PUMCH seeks high-quality development in the new era, he put forward three requirements for PUMCHers: first, to conduct themselves with professionalism and be exemplary models that stick to their original aspiration of providing medical care with compassion; second, to commit themselves to the combat of COIVD-19 and protect people’s health vigorously; third, to carry forward the spirit of scientists in the new era and explore and innovate to reach new heights in medicine.

Centering around the important instructions that President Xi expressed at the centennial celebration of PUMCH, the event set four well-designed themes.

Carry Forward Fine Traditions

Cui Liying, Director of the Department of Neurology, Li Taisheng, Director of the Department of Infectious Diseases, Wang Weibin, Deputy Director of the Department of General Surgery, and Che Lu, attending physician of the Department of Anesthesiology, delivered speeches titled “Inspiring Messages from PUMCH Predecessors”. With touching words and in moving scenarios, the four speakers representing the young, middle-aged and the elderly generation shared the noble spirit and practices of their PUMCH predecessors who were pioneers and forerunners that were also willing to serve as a ladder for others and dedicate themselves to the country and the people, which deeply moved every audience member present.

The event also played videos featuring five medical masters, including Zhang Xiaoqian and Lin Qiaozhi, uttering earnest words. “Clinicians should also keep learning to keep up with the times and acquire new theories, techniques and therapies to better serve the people.” “We should be like silkworms, spitting out even the last fiber for the country”. The wise teachings of the predecessors still ring true today and are now received by the new generation.

Explore and Innovate Boldly

Scientific and technological innovation is the inexhaustible driving force for the high-quality development of PUMCH. Five youth innovation representatives, namely Feng Guodong from the Department of Otolaryngology, Zhao Chan from the Department of Ophthalmology, He Huaiwu from the Department of Intensive Care Unit, Wang Qiang from the Department of Gastroenterology, and Wang Wei from the Department of Pediatrics, gathered at the Youth Salon “Exploring Innovation for the People” to discuss exploration and innovation.  

A mechanical device to achieve “micron-level” precision intraocular injection; a small transparent endoscopic cap for en bloc resection of gastrointestinal lesions; a set of endoscopy support system that is finally marketed after 20 iterations over 17 years; a small cup of drugs to keep children with glycogen storage disease away from the pain of large amounts of cold cornstarch intake every day; a saline infusion imaging technique that allows the pulmonary blood flow of ICU patients to be visible at the bedside... All these are examples of innovations by the vigorous and young medical professionals that benefit more patients.

Continue to Overcome Difficulties

A short documentary “Centennial PUMCH Striving for Greater Heights” documented the story of the PUMCH multidisciplinary team treating spinal muscular atrophy patients. It showed the determination and action of PUMCHers to forge ahead against all odds, opening the door of hope for patients with rare diseases all over the country.

In the video, rare disease specialists and patients together sang “Tomorrow will be better”, which touched the heart of the audience. “Let’s make tomorrow better!” The hopeful words of President Zhang Shuyang expressed the beautiful wish of rare disease doctors and patients working together for a brighter future in China.

Value Talent Cultivation

Wu Dong, Deputy Director of the Department of Internal Medicine, was selected as a representative of the faculty team of the Department of Internal Medicine, PUMCH, which was listed among the “Huang Danian-style Faculty Team among Chinese Universities” in 2022. He made a presentation titled “Deep Roots and Thick Leaves” and used classic medical cases as examples to illustrate the talent cultivation principles of PUMCH over a century and the efforts that PUMCH is now making to implement the strategy of “making China a talent-strong country” and cultivate top-notch medical talents.

Ma Xiaojun, head of the Department of Medical Affairs, led 25 representatives of new employees and new postdocs, as well as all the other PUMCHers present, to recite the orientation oath of new hires: “To commit ourselves to a life-long fight for China’s healthcare and for protecting the health of mankind!” The powerful oath resounded through the venue, speaking volumes about the firm determination of PUMCHers to safeguard people’s health.

Yang Rui, Level II Bureau Rank Official of the party committee of units directly under the National Health Commission (NHC), and Hu Ruirong, Director of the Medical Institutions Division under the Department of Medical Administration of the NHC, and all the hospital leaders of PUMCH attended the event. Representatives of senior, middle-aged and young PUMCH physicians, new employees and new clinical postdocs attended the meeting at the main venue, and all the other hospital staff members watched the livestreaming at 70 spots.

Group picture of the Chinese Doctors’ Day

Young physicians sharing experience on medical technology innovation

All participants joined the new hires in reciting the onboarding oath of PUMCH

Reporter: Wang Jing

Picture courtesy: Sun Liang

Translator: Liu Haiyan

Editor: Wang Yao