Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) recently hosted two resident physicians from the University of Chicago for a week-long clinical observership and academic exchange. During their visit, Dr. Sana Basheer and Dr. Fatima Bouftas rotated through General Surgery, Anesthesiology, Orthopedics, and Plastic Surgery, taking part in the full range of core teaching activities including morning handovers, teaching rounds, preoperative discussions, surgical observation, and multidisciplinary consultations. The immersive experience gave them a close-up view of the demanding clinical pace and vibrant education culture at PUMCH.

Dr. Sana Basheer was struck by both the volume and diversity of cases at PUMCH. "Complex procedures like pancreaticoduodenectomy (the Whipple procedure) are performed multiple times in a single day here," she said. "Conditions I had only read about in textbooks are commonplace at this hospital." She was equally impressed by the hospital’s relentless pursuit of academic and educational excellence. "Senior residents take real ownership of teaching, walking junior residents and medical students step by step through each case," she noted. "The physicians here are well-versed in the latest research and literature, and that knowledge comes through naturally in everyday discussions of patient care—not just in journal clubs. Evidence-based medicine and teaching aren't separate from clinical work; they're woven into every decision and treatment plan."

The program created a platform for dialogue between young Chinese and American physicians. Organized by the Department of Education and the Department of Surgery, ten PUMCH physicians took part in the mentoring and exchange activities. Dr. Zhao Bangbo, an attending physician in the Department of General Surgery at PUMCH, said the week-long exchange gave him a firsthand experience of the rigorous clinical reasoning of American residents and a direct point of comparison between Chinese and American approaches to medical workflows, medical education, and doctor-patient communication. The exchange broadened his clinical perspective and, through engaging with a different medical philosophy, deepened his thinking on both clinical care and humanistic practice. Beyond the benefit of learning from each other, the exchange also produced lasting friendships across borders.

Since its launch in 2014, the PUMCH–University of Chicago Resident Exchange Program has brought a cumulative total of 26 University of Chicago residents to PUMCH for training, and sent 28 PUMCH residents to the United States for short-term exchanges. PUMCH will continue to create high-level opportunities for international exchange, strengthen ties between young physicians in China and the United States, cultivate enduring friendships across continents, and work together to advance global health.

Written by and pictures courtesy of the Department of Education and the Department of Surgery