UChicago Medical Education Collaboration in China

During the Fall 2025 visit, the WUMER delegation met with senior leadership at Wuhan University School of Medicine and affiliated institutions to reaffirm institutional commitment to ongoing collaboration.

A leadership meeting was held between Renslow Sherer and Ivy Jiang with current and former medical school leaders, including FENG Youmei, YU Xiangting, XU Hua, LIU Jiqiang, ZHANG Wenli (Director of Comprehensive Affairs, under LIU Jiqiang) and SHI Yuxin (WHU Global). During this meeting, the institutional Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) covering the period from November 2025 to October 2028 was signed. Final execution of the agreement is pending completion of institutional signature processes. Leaders expressed continued support for the collaboration and reaffirmed the importance of sustained engagement in medical education development.

In parallel with the leadership meeting, a Hubei Province residency education conference was hosted by Zhongnan Hospital. Jonathan Lio was invited to participate, highlighting the integration of WUMER activities within broader educational initiatives.

Additional leadership discussions addressed future directions for faculty training, trainee exchange, and specialty development.

In October and November 2025, a delegation from the WUMER Project conducted a multi-site visit to China, engaging with partner institutions and stakeholders in Wuhan and Beijing. The visit included participation in regional dialogue events, institutional meetings with medical schools and hospitals, and discussions focused on medical education reform, faculty development, and long-term collaboration.

The delegation participated in the Yangtze–Mississippi Regional Dialogue (YMRD), an event hosted by the Hubei Provincial Government, the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, and the US Heartland China Association. Participants included Jonathan Lio, Ivy Jiang, FENG Youmei (former VP of Wuhan University), FAN Jingyi (Zhongnan Hospital), SHI Xinyu (Wuhan University Global). The event brought together approximately 50 American delegates, including Susan Thornton (former United States Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs), city council members from multiple U.S. states, and focused on topics such as education, youth exchange, logistics, and cultural collaboration. During the dialogue, Jonathan Lio delivered a keynote presentation which introduced the WUMER Project and highlighted the long-standing collaboration between Wuhan University and the University of Chicago. WUMER was also featured in a dedicated exhibition booth showcasing the history of the partnership.

Beyond the regional dialogue, the delegation visited Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking University Health Sciences Center, Wuhan University School of Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital, Renmin Hospital, and other partner institutions. Across these meetings, discussions centered on educational outcomes, curriculum reform, faculty development, trainee selection, and future collaboration pathways.

The International Medical Educators Program (IMEP) welcomed nine clinical educators from three top teaching hospitals in China on the UChicago campus in July to undergo an immersive two-week curriculum development training camp. The training was consisted of 40 hours of didactic and experiential learning. There are many memorable moments of learning, a few notable ones include Objective Structured Teaching Exercise (OSTE) led by Dr. Barrett Fromme; discussions on Growth Mindset and Adaptability in Medicine by Dr. James Woodruff. We are indebted to 36 UChicago’s faculty members who have given their time to share expertise and engage with the learners. Through IMEP training, our goal is to produce a cadre of physician educators who are armed with the latest educational philosophies and practical teaching methods, as well as strengthen relationships with key partners in China.