On August 30, 2024, jointly organized by PUMCH and the Chinese Association of Pancreatology, the "Exhibition to Commemorate the 110th Anniversary of Professor Zeng Xianjiu’s Birth and Showcase Surgical Evolution" was opened. PUMCH Honorary President and Academician Zhao Yupei, President Zhang Shuyang, Vice President Wu Peixin, and Zeng Hong, son of Professor Zeng Xianjiu, jointly unveiled the exhibition. The exhibition, using precious photographs, medical records, papers, and published works, presented Professor Zeng Xianjiu’s outstanding contributions and showcased numerous achievements of the Department of Surgery, PUMCH. It was under the influence of Professor Zeng, once its director, that the Department of Surgery worked relentlessly to surmount all the obstacles along the way and accomplish the brilliant achievements that shine in the Chinese history of modern medicine. This exhibition intends to motivate the current generation of PUMCH staff to push boundaries and reach new heights in this new chapter of medical advancement.

In his life and career, Professor Zeng personified the ideal spirit of scientists. The exhibition unfolds in six chapters, each highlighting a different aspect of this spirit. Chapter One “Devotion to the Country and the People” outlines the milestones in Professor Zeng’s life; Chapter Two "Trailblazing Accomplishments" showcases his major academic contributions. Chapter Three "Scholarly Excellence and Rigor" delves into his academic thoughts and surgical innovations. Chapter Four "Wholehearted Dedication to Research" shows images of Professor Zeng absorbed in study at his desk. Chapter Five "Collective Wisdom and Teamwork" highlights the spread of PUMCH's multidisciplinary approach both within and beyond the hospital. Chapter Six "Selfless Mentorship and Promotion" demonstrates how the PUMCH Department of Surgery helped Chinese surgeons shine on the world stage.

The exhibition features specially selected medical records from various stages of Professor Zeng's career. They offer us glimpses into his life: His residency-era English comprehensive medical records were meticulous and well-organized, showing elegant handwriting. Even on the eve of New China's founding, he was still working in the operating room. In the 1950s, he guided young doctors through a complex surgery on a giant pancreatic cyst, with a thoughtful plan and exquisite medical illustrations. In the 1980s, he was battling late-stage lung cancer, but still cared about his patients, personally writing to them and their workplaces to ensure follow-up visits.

Professor Zeng placed great emphasis on basic research as well as its translation and had a remarkably forward-thinking mindset. The exhibition highlights his stellar and groundbreaking achievements in pancreatic surgery, parenteral and enteral nutrition, and critical care. It also reveals the forward-looking nature of his academic work from fresh perspectives. For instance, as early as 1979, he, in collaboration with the Department of Computer Science and Technology, Tsinghua University, published a paper “Application of Computer-Assisted Diagnosis in Acute Abdomen”, a visionary idea that aligns closely with the AI boom today.

▲Leaders and experts at the exhibition

Although Professor Zeng left us nearly 40 years ago, his legacy lives on at PUMCH. His modest demeanor and selfless mentorship continue to inspire and guide new generations. Visiting the exhibition is like journeying through the rich history of PUMCH's surgical department, where knowledge has been passed down from generation to generation. Each medical record faithfully documents how tutors mentored young doctors in different phases, a tradition that continues to this day. In 1984, Professor Zeng published an article "Cultivation of Young Surgeons"; in 2009, 25 years later, Professor Zhao Yupei published an article "Revisiting the Growth of Young Surgeons in the New Era". This continuity underscores PUMCH department leaders’ unwavering commitment to youth development as their top priority.

Building on the foundation laid by Professor Zeng, PUMCH's surgical team has carried forward and expanded his legacy. Today, surgery has branched into 12 departments, and thus has formed a team acclaimed for its exceptional technical prowess and distinguished specialized expertise, the recipient of seven National Science and Technology Progress Awards. Professor Zeng Xianjiu, Professor Zhu Yu, and Academician Zhao Yupei, three intellectual luminaries of PUMCH, all went on to lead the Chinese Society of Surgery and the Chinese Medical Association for different periods of time. As the leading member of the Chinese Society of Surgery, the PUMCH Department of Surgery has collaborated with surgical colleagues nationwide to develop nearly 100 expert consensuses and guidelines and organized hundreds of academic conferences. These activities vigorously promote domestic and international educational exchanges and bring more Chinese surgeons onto the global stage.

PUMCH Department of Surgery has consistently upheld its fine traditions, leading national colleagues in establishing collaborative research mechanisms and creating platforms for international academic exchanges. In 2022, Academician Zhao Yupei spearheaded the establishment of the Chinese Association of Pancreatology (CAP), a national first-level society. This created a comprehensive, high-level national platform dedicated to pancreatic disease diagnosis, treatment, and research, encompassing multiple disciplines including internal medicine, surgery, basic science, pathology, endoscopy, radiotherapy, radiology, ultrasound, interventional medicine, nuclear medicine, endocrinology, and critical care. PUMCH staff boldly embrace the new mission of the new era, working alongside global colleagues to bolster academic exchanges, nurture talents, and advance scientific research, contributing to the health and well-being of patients with pancreatic diseases worldwide.

Visiting experts and professors savored each image, sharing fond memories with nostalgia. Young medical staff expressed their commitment: "We are deeply moved and greatly inspired. As we take up the baton, we must fulfill our new mission with concrete and substantial action. We will make the most of our prime years on the journey of pursuing high-quality development, living up to the legacy."

Written by Fu Tanping, Shi Zhenzhen, Li Naishi, Lin Chen, Zhou Jingya, Zheng Weiyang, Chang Jingfeng, Qiu Jiangdong and Ping Lu

Photographed by Sun Liang and Fu Tanping

Editors Xiao Xiong and Chen Xiao

Chief Editor Duan Wenli

Supervised by Wu Peixin