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

Chapter 1279 Graduation Ceremony (Part 1)

The next day was the graduation ceremony. In the morning, the auditorium of Kyoto University of Traditional Chinese Medicine was packed with students.

Sunlight streamed through the high windows onto the stage, illuminating the red banner hanging above—"Graduation Ceremony of the First Xinglin Competition Training Class."

Below the stage, in the first few rows sat twenty-eight trainees from the special training class, dressed in uniform dark suits, their trainee badges gleaming faintly in the light.

Zhuang Qiwen sat upright, Yu Shiyun gently adjusted her collar, and Xia Hongliang, Zeng Yunhui and others also looked solemn.

Next came representatives of faculty and students from Kyoto University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, as well as visiting guests from various hospitals.

The ceremony had not yet begun, and the students were talking in hushed tones.

"I still remember what Teacher Chen Yang said during the opening ceremony at our school. I never expected that the graduation ceremony would be held at our school again."

"I heard that Dr. Zhuang, Director Xun, and others have treated many difficult and complicated cases in the past three months and have visited many hospitals."

At 9:00 a.m. sharp, the side door of the auditorium opened, and a group of people slowly walked onto the stage.

Leading the way was Minister Shen, who was wearing a dark gray Zhongshan suit and walked with a steady gait.

Following closely behind are leading figures in the field of traditional Chinese medicine such as Wen Xiuping, Chu Yiyun, and Song Luojun, and then Chen Yang, Xiao Jingyun, Gao Anliang, and others.

Upon seeing this lineup, a murmur of amazement rippled through the audience.

"My God, Minister Shen has come in person!"

"Elder Wen, Elder Chu, Elder Song... this lineup is too luxurious!"

"After all, this is the first graduation ceremony of a nationwide training program for elite TCM practitioners, which is of great significance."

After everyone was seated, Minister Shen sat in the center, with Wen Xiuping and Chu Yiyun on either side, and Chen Yang and Xiao Jingyun sitting near the edge of the stage for easy access to speak later.

The host was Kang Xingchao, the president of Kyoto University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Kang Xingchao walked onto the stage with a smile on his face.

"Respected leaders, seniors, colleagues, and fellow students, good morning!"

Kang Xingchao's voice echoed through the auditorium via microphone: "Today we gather here to witness the graduation ceremony of the first Xinglin Competition Training Class."

"This special training course is an important attempt initiated by Professor Wen Xiuping, Professor Chu Yiyun and other seniors, under the personal care and guidance of Minister Shen, and specifically undertaken by Kyoto International Medical Center."

"Over the past three months, the 28 trainees, led by Director Chen Yang and Professor Xiao Jingyun, have traveled all over the country, going deep into grassroots hospitals to learn, exchange ideas, and improve their skills through practice. Today, they will embark on a new journey with a wealth of knowledge and experience."

Kang Xingchao briefly introduced the background and significance of the special training course, and then said: "Next, please let Comrade Chen Yang, the person in charge of the special training course and the director of Kyoto International Medical Center, report on the work of this special training course."

Amid applause, Chen Yang stood up and walked to the podium.

Chen Yang was wearing a dark blue suit and a white shirt today, without a tie, which made him look both formal and approachable.

Three months of travel had made Chen Yang a little thinner, but his eyes were sharper and brighter.

Standing in front of the podium, Chen Yang's gaze swept across the audience.

He saw the expectant looks in Zhuang Qiwen's and others' eyes, the envious glances from the students in the back row, and also the figures of Chu Yiyun, Wen Xiuping, and others sitting in the guest seats.

"Respected Minister Shen, esteemed seniors, and fellow colleagues,"

Chen Yang spoke slowly, his voice clear and steady: "First of all, on behalf of all the instructors and trainees of the special training class, I would like to thank the leaders at all levels for their high regard and strong support for this training program."

“Three months ago, we held the opening ceremony here. I said at the time that this was a real experience, different from book learning and exam competitions. Today, I can say with certainty that we have succeeded.”

Chen Yang didn't bring a script; he recounted his experiences over the past three months, from the snowy plains of the north to the water towns of the south, from the western mountains to the eastern coast.

He recounted his first encounter with the Hebei Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, his unexpected friendship with Master Lei in Jiangdong Province, his rigorous study of classical prescriptions in Sichuan, and his observations of the integration of traditional Chinese and Western medicine in Chongqing…

He recounted not only the itinerary, but also specific individuals, specific cases, and specific reflections.

"At Jialin County Hospital, I met my mentor, Dr. Liu Jun. He is 56 years old this year and has worked in township health centers for more than 30 years. He may never publish an SCI paper in his lifetime, but he has relieved the back and leg pain of countless villagers with the most simple acupuncture techniques."

"At Fenghai Central Hospital, I saw You Junhui, a resident doctor I used to supervise, who is now an attending physician. He used a combination of traditional Chinese and Western medicine to help a patient with advanced liver cancer achieve a quality life with the tumor."

"At the Shanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Professor He Wenliang showed us the 'Traditional Chinese Medicine Inheritance and Innovation Base' he established. There were no luxurious facilities there, but there were the most precious handwritten copies of folk prescriptions, improved traditional treatment tools, and a group of veteran TCM doctors working silently."

Chen Yang's tone gradually became more impassioned: "Along this journey, we have witnessed the vastness and profundity of traditional Chinese medicine, as well as its predicaments and challenges."

“We’ve seen some hospitals that display the ‘Traditional Chinese Medicine’ label but operate like Western medicine; we’ve seen some truly skilled folk healers who struggle to gain recognition for various reasons; we’ve seen patients who believe in Traditional Chinese Medicine but have nowhere to turn for treatment…”

The audience was completely silent, everyone listening attentively.

"but,"

Chen Yang changed the subject: "We also see hope."

“We see more and more young doctors who love and study traditional Chinese medicine; we see leaders at all levels beginning to pay attention to the inheritance and development of traditional Chinese medicine; we see that patients’ trust and expectations for traditional Chinese medicine have never waned.”

"The biggest takeaway from this special training was not how many new technologies we taught the trainees, but that it allowed them—and everyone who is concerned about this matter—to see the true ecology of traditional Chinese medicine and understand the complexity and necessity of its development."

Chen Yang's gaze fell on Zhuang Qiwen and the others: "These twenty-eight students are lucky."

“They have the opportunity to travel all over the country and see the big picture. But more importantly, they will take this knowledge back to their posts and become seeds to sow hope.”

"I have always believed that the revitalization of traditional Chinese medicine cannot rely on just a few famous doctors, but also on millions of ordinary doctors who are rooted in clinical practice and have a passion for it. They may remain unknown all their lives, but it is they who support the backbone of traditional Chinese medicine."

"The last opening ceremony was held at our Kyoto University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and this year's graduation ceremony will be the same."

Chen Yang looked at the audience and said loudly, "Students, I hope you can see the true character of the members of this special training program, and I also hope that they can set a good example for all their younger schoolmates..."

"Traditional Chinese medicine is an important part of the heritage of Chinese civilization, and all the students present today are the hope for its continued transmission..."