Zongmei Wen, M.D., an anesthesiologist from Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, is currently completing an observational visit in UNMC’s Department of Anesthesiology to gain insight on varying methods of providing clinical care and medical education as part of the Asia Pacific Rim Development Program (APRDP).
Dr. Wen arrived in Omaha Nov. 4, and her observation visit will end Dec. 14. She is part of a group of physicians affiliated with China’s Tongi University who are visiting UNMC. Associate Professor Huiling Pang, M.D., Ph.D., is the faculty liaison for Dr. Wen’s visit.
“What has been most valuable thus far is watching your teamwork,” said Dr. Wen. “In China, there are very few residency programs, so we have few anesthesiologists who have too many patients. You have many opportunities for your residents.”
Dr. Wen spent the first few days of her observational visit learning the logistics of the department and UNMC’s campus. The remainder of her visit will mostly include opportunities to shadow department staff in operating rooms with a focus on pulmonary surgeries. Dr. Wen also plans to spend time with the Acute Pain Service for postoperative pain management, and focus on pain control for thoracic procedures. Additionally, Drs. Wen and Pang will attend resident and fellow education events.
“People in Omaha are very kind and friendly,” said Dr. Wen. “I think a lot of other physicians want to study in Omaha, but don’t have the opportunity to because they don’t have an established program or a facilitator like Dr. Pang.”
Dr. Pang has been the department’s exchange program faculty liaison since the APRDP was founded in 2005. Dr. Pang was a natural fit for this role due to her education, department experience and her ability to speak English, Mandarin and Cantonese. She earned her medical degree from Sun Yat-sen Universiy of Medical Sciences in Guangzhou, China. Her Ph.D. in Microbiology is from the University of South Alabama. She was a postdoctoral fellow at Pulmonary Center, Boston University School of Medicine. She completed her anesthesia residency at UNMC and joined the faculty in 2001.
“I want to emphasize how supportive, welcoming and kind everyone in the department has been,” said Dr. Pang. “Everyone has done their best to accommodate Dr. Wen.”
Department Hosts Dr. Wen for Observational Visit
