Two groups from Tongji University in Shanghai completed their training at UNMC in early June. One group was comprised of medical students while the other was faculty from Tongji and its affiliated hospitals. Their graduation ceremony was May 31.
Gerald Moore, M.D., senior associate dean for academic affairs, said, "our exchange programs with China are unique. You learn from your visit to UNMC, but UNMC students and faculty have the opportunity to see different techniques when you visit, so it is an excellent situation for both UNMC and China."
Several participants commented on the high-level of care provided at UNMC. Ming Zhou, a neo-natal physician at the Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital affiliated with Tongji University, said that the personalized care offered at UNMC’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) left a deep impression on her. Wenwen "Caroline" Wang, a medical student at Tongji, said, "the warm and comfortable patient rooms and caring clinical staff mean that patients receive humanized care."
UNMC’s library and simulation labs impressed the faculty group members, who were at UNMC to study pedagogical techniques.
The students, who spent their time in rotations in various departments in Nebraska Medicine, noted a major difference between health care in the U.S. and China. "The Primary Care system is used and trusted by patients in the U.S.," said Haiyue "Peggy" Xu noted. "If more people in China chose primary care and local hospitals, doctors would be less stressed and hospitals would be less crowded."
Deb Thomas, interim vice chancellor for business and finance*, addressed the group. She said "we have a deep relationship with our China partners, including Tongji. During my visits to China, I have visited Tongji and many of its affiliated hospitals a number of times. For this reason, I am delighted to attend this graduation ceremony and see the things you have learned during your time at UNMC." She continued, "At least once a year we have a meeting of our Chinese alumni; I hope to see you at those meetings since you are now all alumni of UNMC!"
This is the fifth year that UNMC has hosted medical students from Tongji University. In that time, thirty-five students have visited UNMC for a two-month clinical exchange. Tongji faculty groups have visited UNMC since 2013.
* Since this article was first published Deb Thomas was named vice chancellor for business and finance.