In April, fifteen fourth-year medical students from the University of Chicago embarked on a unique mission to strengthen U.S.-China medical cooperation through an immersive training program. They rotated through leading hospitals in the Chinese mainland, including Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) in Beijing.
Specializing in fields ranging from internal medicine to neurology and otolaryngology, the students dove into clinical practice and cultural exchange. "Diseases affect everyone, regardless of where they come from, so international collaboration is crucial in the medical field," said Mario Shammas, a neurology-bound student who spent time in PUMCH's rare disease department.
Shammas also highlighted the power of youth in bridging cultural gaps: "Young people are in a unique position to connect with different cultures, especially as it relates to health," he noted, advocating for more cross-cultural exchanges and less bias in global health dialogues.
For Stratton Tolmie, soon headed to internal medicine, the four-day ICU rotation at PUMCH sparked genuine friendships and the seeds of future research partnerships. "I really anticipate keeping these friendships going when I'm a practicing physician, and hopefully returning to the Chinese mainland soon," he said.
Naomi Tesema, specializing in otolaryngology, described a warm welcome upon arrival and underscored the importance of people-to-people connections. Shared passions, she argued, can pave the way for long-lasting collaborations and innovative solutions.
As global health challenges mount, these young physicians are already laying the groundwork for a more connected and cooperative future that transcends borders to improve patient care worldwide.
Reference(s):
American med students advocate for China-U.S. medical cooperation
cgtn.com
