Chinese medicine: from rural hospitals to top three hospitals in Kyoto

Chapter 1296 Blueprint for the New Campus

Chen Yang's speech was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples that extended far beyond the reach of Kyoto University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

That evening, excerpts and recordings of the speech spread rapidly in various WeChat groups and forums within the TCM community.

Those TCM doctors and medical students who were unable to attend the event in person eagerly forwarded and discussed Chen Yang's three questions: "What is the purpose of my teachings? Where is it going?" as well as his spiral model of "upholding principles and innovating".

"This is the first time in all my years of studying medicine that I have truly understood the essence of Traditional Chinese Medicine!" a professor from Southern University of Traditional Chinese Medicine wrote on his WeChat Moments, attaching a photo of his densely packed notes.

"Director Chen Yang explained all those vague feelings we had clearly!" a young attending physician at a traditional Chinese medicine hospital exclaimed in the department's group chat.

Even more unexpectedly, some mainstream media outlets also took notice of this "atypical" academic speech.

A Xinhua News Agency reporter who has long focused on medical reform obtained the complete transcript of the recording through an alumnus and worked overnight to compile an in-depth report titled "Chen Yang, a Leading Figure in Young Traditional Chinese Medicine: Bridging Ancient Wisdom with Modern Needs".

The report not only detailed the core points of Chen Yang's speech, but also reviewed his journey from a rural doctor to the head of the Kyoto International Medical Center, linking his concept of "the generation of bridges" with the current national strategy of vigorously promoting the inheritance and innovative development of traditional Chinese medicine.

The report, published the following morning, was quickly reprinted by major portal websites and even sparked heated discussions on Weibo about the "future of traditional Chinese medicine" and the "modernization of traditional medicine." Many netizens without medical expertise were also drawn in by Chen Yang's clear and compelling arguments and joined the discussion.

"I used to think that traditional Chinese medicine was mysterious, but after listening to Dr. Chen's explanation, I feel like I've grasped some of the key points—it's not superstition, but a different way of thinking."

"This is true cultural confidence! No exaggeration or bias, just a clear understanding and articulation of our own valuable heritage."

"I hope there are more doctors like this, so that patients will be more fortunate."

......

On Thursday morning, Kyoto International Medical Center held a meeting to advance the construction of its new campus.

At the oval conference table, Chen Yang sat in the center, with Gao Anliang, Xiao Jingyun and other management personnel on his left, and Zhuang Qiwen, Yu Shiyun, Xia Hongliang, Zeng Yunhui and other young backbone members on his right. Surgical experts such as Zhong Dongyang, He Yonghua, and Qu Haoran sat opposite him.

The projection screen displayed a 3D design of the new campus—a complex of buildings that blends modern and traditional styles, with clear and rational functional zoning.

"Everyone, the main structure of the new campus is 85% complete. At the current pace, it should be completed by the end of March next year without any problem."

Gao Anliang first reported on the progress of the project: "The most critical aspects now are the interior decoration, equipment procurement, and talent reserves."

Chen Yang nodded and looked at everyone: "The renovation plan has been finalized. Today we will mainly discuss equipment and personnel. Director Zhong, I have reviewed the equipment list submitted by your surgical department. The budget is under great pressure."

Zhong Dongyang was prepared and opened his notebook: "Director Chen, we have carefully considered this list, and it is already the minimum configuration. The da Vinci surgical robot, intraoperative MRI, and hybrid operating room are the hardware foundation for carrying out cutting-edge surgery. Without these, our so-called 'international medical center' would not live up to its name."

Chen Yang pondered for a moment, then turned to Gao Anliang: "Director Gao, how are the negotiations with the manufacturers progressing?"

Gao Anliang smiled and said, "There's good news. The equipment that the Cleveland Clinic, as our technical partner, helped us secure from several international medical device giants has arrived, and they're also providing three years of free technical training and equipment maintenance."

A low murmur rippled through the conference room, and everyone wore expressions of delight.

Chen Yang smiled slightly: "It's a win-win situation. We provide traditional Chinese medicine's unique diagnostic and treatment techniques and case resources, while they gain research collaboration opportunities in the field of Eastern medicine."

Xiao Jingyun stroked his beard and nodded: "This is a good thing. For traditional Chinese medicine to go global, it must have such international dialogue and cooperation."

"If the equipment problem can be solved, then the most crucial problem remains—talent."

Chen Yang's gaze swept across the room: "The new hospital campus is several times larger, and its standards are benchmarked against top international medical centers. We need to recruit a large number of medical staff, especially high-end talent."

The conference room fell silent.

This is a problem that everyone knows – which of the top experts in the country isn't treated like a treasure by major hospitals? Poaching them is no easy task.

"I have an idea."

Chen Yang's voice broke the silence of the conference room: "We've always been thinking about 'bringing in' talent, why can't we 'cultivate' talent?"

As he spoke, Chen Yang drew a pyramid on the whiteboard: "This is the traditional talent structure—the top of the pyramid is a few top experts, the middle is experienced doctors, and the base is young doctors. We have been trying to poach people from the top of the pyramid, but it is difficult, costly, and easy to cause controversy in the industry."

The laser pointer was pointed at the base of the pyramid: "What if we change our perspective and focus on the 'base' and 'body' of the pyramid?"

"We can establish a 'tiered talent development system'."

Chen Yang continued, "The first tier, targeting recent graduates and resident physicians, is the 'Young Eagle Program,' which provides systematic training in traditional Chinese medicine and modern medicine, and implements a dual-mentor system—one traditional Chinese medicine mentor and one Western medicine mentor."

"The second tier is for doctors with three to five years of work experience. The 'Flying Eagle Program' will be established to select promising key personnel for in-depth specialist training and provide opportunities for further study at home and abroad."

"The third tier is for experts who have already achieved a certain level of success. We have established a 'Leadership Program' to invite them to join us through flexible recruitment. They do not need to work full-time. They only need to work at the center for a certain period of time each year to conduct consultations on difficult cases, provide teaching, and give academic lectures."

After a pause, Chen Yang emphasized, "The most crucial thing is that these three ladders must be connected. Outstanding 'young eagles' can enter 'flying eagles,' and the best among the 'flying eagles' can receive personal guidance from 'navigator' experts, and may even have the opportunity to become new 'navigators' in the future."

"In this way, we are not only using people, but also cultivating and retaining them. When doctors can see a clear path for growth here and feel that they are valued and nurtured, they will naturally stay. And as time goes by, the talents we cultivate will gradually become the backbone of the center."

"Great idea! That's a good approach!"

Xiao Jingyun was the first to applaud: "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime! The talents we cultivate ourselves are more loyal and better aligned with the center's development philosophy."

Gao Anliang nodded repeatedly: "Moreover, the cost is controllable. The investment in training young doctors is far lower than poaching top experts."