COVID Conversations

Increase Vaccine Quality, Decrease Quarantine Times are Key to China’s Opening Up

Two years ago, the alarm bell rung loud and clear when the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 as a pandemic. Since then, we stepped into a transformative era with disruptions to business, education, economy and travel as the world grapple with an ever-evolving new normal.

Two years on, and as Shanghai steps into a snap lockdown with a record 3000+ COVID cases in the city of 26 million (albeit a tiny number for its population and compared to many western cities and countries), we share a conversation with two physicians on different sides of the world on their perspectives living with this virus.

IHL Founder Dr. David Roye, left Columbia University in New York City in February 2020 for his retirement in China just as the country began its first wave of COVID measures. At that time, on the cusp of the pandemic Dr. Roye spoke with experts around the world on how we can work together to tackle this pandemic. Today, we invite back one of those experts, Dr. Davidson Hamer, Professor of Global Health and Medicine at the Boston University School of Public Health and School of Medicine, and board-certified specialist in infectious diseases. Dr. Hamer has published papers on the management and control of COVID-19 in designated populations. Currently living in Switzerland, Dr. Hamer together with Dr. Roye share their experience and unique perspectives on how strategies across the globe might shift and converge, and what might be the path for China to coexist with the virus.

The Outlook for China

We begin with the burning question of how can China, a country with 1.3 billion people go forward to create a safe environment, while allowing the virus to propagate and coexist with the population? Dr. Hamer remarks that when China decides to do something on a massive scale for public intervention, they are often very successful.

However, Dr. Hamer believes China cannot keep its borders closed forever, and an alternative strategy is necessary with the main aims to keep cases down and protect the vulnerable. We can adopt a strategy to keep under COVID control but not try to aim for zero cases. While vaccines cannot stop the spread of the virus, it can prevent hospitalizations and reduce mortality. Both can prevent the healthcare system from being overwhelmed on a large scale. The key is to not overburden healthcare systems in the rural communities where the most vulnerable populations live, and the systems are weakest.

We should aim to keep the mortality low, but not zero. Dr. Hamer remembers the burden on the hospitals in large cities like New York in 2020 where overcrowded hospitalizations and high death rates placed a heavy burden on the healthcare system. During the recent Omicron spikes in the US, the low hospitalization and mortality rates have been a huge relief to these systems. 

In these two years, we have witnessed some of the most impressive achievements in the history of science and medical research and Dr. Hamer believes we now have many more tools and strategies to tackle this virus.

Vaccine is a Key Tool

Dr. Hamer points out that it is not possible to completely contain the virus but if we control it and minimize the damage to the healthcare system and treatment for the individual will not suffer.

Vaccine rates across the elderly population across the board are low, this is true even in western countries. In China, this is population is particularly vulnerable due to the lesser developed rural healthcare system where this population mainly resides.

Widespread vaccination with effective vaccine particularly in rural areas is key. Not all vaccines are the same and the quality of the vaccine is very important. In China, SinoVac is one of the major ones used in China, but Dr. Hamer believes a combination of vaccines may be the best option. His advice is to give the mNRA as a booster following the SinoVac. This will provide a strong combination as opposed to giving a booster of the same vaccine. Dr. Hamer says the Vector vaccines such as Astra Zeneca or Johnson & Johnson are effective and, their protection seems to last fairly well.

We are now entering an era with medications and intravenous monoclonal antibodies, and if given soon after diagnosis can significantly reduce the risk of hospitalization. Dr. Hamer points out that two oral drugs released, with Pfizer drug PAXLOVID looking significantly better than the Merck drug Molnupiravir. He says using these tools in combination with vaccination to prevent people from getting sick enough to be hospitalized, to reduce the impact on the healthcare system

In February 2022, China's FDA gave conditional approval for Pfizer’s COVID-19 drug PAXLOVID, making it the first oral pill specifically developed to treat the disease cleared in the country.

Monitoring and Surveillance is Still Key

Heavy testing, monitoring and surveillance have been key tools in China’s Zero COVID strategy. While these methods have been criticized by many in the west, it has been highly successful in keeping infection and death rates close to zero. 

As an American, a western trained physician and a self-professed public-health addict, Dr. Roye believes these measures, often described as “invasionary” – are justified. Back in 2020 when he first arrived in China, he felt it was the safest place on earth. During that time, local neighborhoods were indeed locked down but the guards were just community workers who lived in that community. There were no guns, not police. He felt safe and protected.

During this current wave, public health measures in the community remain equally strong. Dr. Roye shared that just hours before our conversation, due to a few cases in Guangzhou where he lives, a community health worker came to his door and wanted to check his health status on his phone, and that he was indeed ok. Dr. Roye even shared a demonstration of the monitoring app with Dr. Hamer

Dr. Roye compares his to the poor levels of monitoring, surveillance, and tracing in the US, where more than a million deaths from COVID. He says it has been a political, public health, and cultural failure that US could not manage to work together to protect their population.

Dr. Roye hopes that by talking that people understand that differences exists amongst countries.

Dr. Hamer was impressed by Dr. Roye’s demonstration of the COVID monitoring app and agrees that if it is a public health intervention meant to keep people safe, then it is extremely helpful, but remarks that some people in Europe and the US may find it intrusive.

In fact, Dr. Hamer compared the strategy deployed by China to the plan by Boston University. The approaches are not dissimilar, only it was deployed in a microcosm of a much smaller scale at Boston University. Dr. Hamer was part of the team at Boston University to implement a multi-faceted approach to control COVID transmissions and re-open the campus during the early spikes in the east coast of the US. Using a combination strategy of testing, contact tracing, isolation, and quarantine Boston University was able to reopen much sooner than other universities. 

Quarantine Can be Eased

One aspect of China’s current strategy which can be relaxed immediately is length of quarantine. Dr. Hamer believes the current 14 quarantine rule for travelers in more than necessary. In a recent study by Dr. Hamer’s team at Boston University, they found that quarantine with testing 1 day before intended release should be 10 days for nonstrict quarantine, and 8 days for strict quarantine.

Lessons Learnt

When asked what are some o fthe lessons learnt in the US which could be applied to China, Dr. Hamer pointed out that in contrast to China the US was slow in scaling up testing to make it a tool for control. One standout success is that the US has learnt to scale a vaccine unbelievably quickly compared to any disease in history, from identifying virus, sequencing, getting to a vaccine in less than 12 months is simply amazing.

References:

 

Assessment of a COVID-19 Control Plan on an Urban University Campus During a Second Wave of the Pandemic

Davidson H. Hamer, MD1,2,3,4; Laura F. White, PhD5; Helen E. Jenkins, PhD5; et al

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2781349

 

 

Association of COVID-19 Quarantine Duration and Postquarantine Transmission Risk in 4 University Cohorts

Andrew Bo Liu 1, Dan Davidi 2, Hannah Emily Landsberg 3, Maria Francesconi 4, Judy T Platt 3, Giang T Nguyen 4 5, Sehyo Yune 6, Anastasia Deckard 7, Jamie Puglin 8, Steven B Haase 9, Davidson H Hamer 10 11 12, Michael Springer 13

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35212750/

 

CELEBRATING DR. DAVID P. ROYE'S 75 YEARS

On December 11th 2021, IHL Founder and Chief Executive Dr. David P. Roye turned 75 years.

This is a 75th birthday wish to our beloved Dr. Roye, aka Uncle Luo.

#DPR75 You Got It In You

He is a doctor. He has helped tens of thousands of patients across all corners of the globe. Some of them regard him as their last hope.

He is a father. He raised 6 children and 14 grandchildren, all college graduates, and successful individuals.

He is a veteran. At only age 23, he was a battalion commander leading over 300 soldiers.

He is a pioneer. He founded the Department of Pediatric Orthopedics at Columbia University Medical Center more than 40 years ago.

He is a teacher and a mentor. Many of his students are now directors and leaders of major hospitals.

He is an athlete. He has cycled across most of China. Although he is over 70, he can still deadlift 100kg.

He is an old friend to China. Over the past 20 years, he has traveled to dozens of cities across China, dedicating his time, savings and love to treat thousands of children in orphanages.

To promote the development of China's medical industry, he founded the non-profit organization, International Medical Leadership. For the past 16 years, IHL has provided a platform for international exchanges for hundreds of doctors, scholars, and health care administrators.

His name is David Roye, and his students gave him an interesting Chinese name “Luo De Wei”. But his Chinese friends intimately calls him “Luo Shu” or “Uncle Luo”. He thought this new name to be very fitting, and down to earth.

I first met Uncle Luo at the Harvard China Forum in Boston 10 years ago. This gentleman left a deep impression on me. In a lecture theatre packed with an audience of Chinese students, he shared his many deep and rich medical experiences in China. He analyzed the challenges faced by China's medical system at that time and called on the students to return to the motherland after graduation, and to devote themselves to healthcare and medicine on their return.

Although he is an internationally renowned surgeon, he does not give the slightest sense of distance. The tone of his speech, his every gesture, and the expression on his face all show his love for China, and a strong sense of mission to the medical cause.

Not long after the outbreak of COVID-19 in China, despite persuasion from his family and colleagues to stay, he resigned from his beloved occupation, and bid farewell to a career of 40 years at the Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital in New York. He left New York and set off to Beijing to begin a new chapter in his medical career.

I still remember on February 20th 2020, when I picked up David from Beijing Capital International Airport, he had endured a journey of more than 32 hours, but he still walked towards me with wind on the soles of his feet.

That brought me back to the first time we met 10 years ago. I approached him with curiosity and asked him, "What makes you so invested in China and China's medical cause?" He replied, "I came to China for the first time in 1997, and provided free surgical treatment to dozens of young patients in Harbin, China. Since then I have slowly fallen in love with this land and the simple and wonderful people here. I hope to help Chinese patients not only through the scalpel in my hand, but also through my influence, and my many decades of medical experience in the United States, to help Chinese patients get better treatment.”

With these words, David brought me into the unfamiliar and familiar field of medical care. From my previous work in health care systems, to starting a business in the medical field, I am fortunate to have the guidance and company of this wise man.

And there are many others who have been similarly inspired by him. Today, on this special day, many people have sent their wishes to this 75-year-old young man in their own way.

Dear David, in the eyes of strangers, you are an accomplished old man who is respected and looked up on. In the eyes of your friends here, you are an eternally young gentleman with sunshine in your eyes and a spring in your step.

We are always catching up with you.

Happy 75th Birthday, Dr. Roye, we thank you for all you do and wish you forever young.

Work in China Opportunities for Physicians and Researchers

Employment opportunities are now available at a top tertiary hospital in a tier one city in China. Short and long term positions available. We will help with travel and employment documentations. Opportunities for many medical disciplines and range of experience, open to all nationalities:

Retired physicians - engage in consulting , rounds, mentorship, clinical work

Residents - experience patient volume and variety at a top tier provincial hospital

Researchers - collaborate on projects and papers

Please contact: info@Ihleaders.org

ASIAN VOICES - Virus or Bias Panel Discussion

Last April as the pandemic emerged, we gathered a panel of Asians around the world to share their experiences in being Asians during these times.

One year on, little has improved. Short of highlighting the issues, we open the floor again for our group and others to share experiences and what can be done to help support the #stopasianhate movement, and to support each other.

Dr. Roye moderated this panel, where we were joined by AAPIs across North America, some in cities where recent hate crimes have escalated to disturbing levels.

Catch the recording of it on our Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/ihleaders

LATEST BLOG: WHAT DOES A SUCCESSFUL VACCINE ROLLOUT LOOK LIKE?

March 1, 2021

-----An interview with Dr. David Roye, Founder of IHL, Chief Medical Officer of JuniperMD, by Hugo Wang

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Photo by Artem Podrez from Pexels

Vaccination has been on everyone's mind. With the fight against COVID-19 at its final stretch, the vaccination rollout in different countries becomes the key to the successful containment of this vicious virus. Dr. David Roye is with us today to discuss his views on what a successful and considerate vaccine rollout looks like.

Living in China, but also keeping close eyes on the movement of vaccination in the U.S., Dr. Roye was able to offer us some insights on the reasons why cases in China have been drastically declining even though vaccination there is not as rapid and extensive as it is in the States.

"Not to be unpatriotic, but they handled COVID-19 so much better here. The system here is rational and public health-oriented." Dr. Roye then told us about his personal experience with China's contact tracing strategy. "It would be considered by half of Americans an invasion of privacy. When I am traveling, I have two health account on my phone. When I enter two different provinces, I need to present my information about COVID-19 on those accounts to a public health official. These checkpoints are set up before plane rides, later at package pick-ups, and even in train stations."

"I even got a knock on my door after my last Beijing trip, where they had couple hundred cases and a few hospitalizations." An even more personal encounter surprised Dr. Roye. "The neighborhood public health worker told me that they know I was in Beijing and asked me what neighborhoods I was in." This was part of China's subsequent contact tracing following the recent cases in Beijing that have caused alarm from public health professionals all over the country.

While public health strategy in China was praised by Dr. Roye, he also cast doubts on China's vaccine rollout's future outlook. In terms of vaccine, China has discreetly rolled out its domestically produced batch. "The efficacy of these vaccines is not yet clear. There are no data on the effect for people over 60." With China's past scandal of fake vaccines, the unclarity may cause doubt and distrust of the new vaccines, leading to an unideal vaccination rate.

In the U.S., the problem is different. Health disparity remains a large issue that hinders vaccine rollout. "Rural areas and countryside rarely have access to healthcare and vaccines." Dr. Roye describes the problem as such.

"A truly effective vaccine program would target one's antibody load. If you have the antibody but are staying in line for the vaccine, valuable resources are being wasted." Dr. Roye further gave his suggestion of what an ideal vaccination plan should look like. "Each state should not be able to do its own thing. This is a national problem and a global problem."

Looking forward, both countries have room to improve and more lives to save. The essence of Dr. Roye's message is to administer a public health-oriented strategy with transparency and collective effort.

This article was first published on LinkedIn

RESEARCH WORK OPPORTUNITIES IN LEADING MEDICAL & RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS IN CHINA

OPEN TO NON-CHINESE CITIZENS

National Natural Science Foundation of China is opening applications for the National Natural Science Outstanding Youth Science Fund for 2021. The aim of the National Natural Science Outstanding Youth Science Fund is to cultivate and attract young talents to return or come to China to work.

Opportunities are now available to apply for the fund in collaboration with leading medical and research institutions in China. Successful applicants will work and conduct research at the hospital alongside an internationally competitive clinical and scientific research team. This is an opportunity to developing scientific research, and teach talents in relevant disciplines of the hospital. There will be funding from the China National Natural Outstanding Youth Science Fund at 1 to 3 million yuan ((US$ 150K-450K)) for three years. and attractive benefits as an overseas employee at the hospital.

Candidates must secure employment with a host medical/research institution in China and then apply for the fund.

IHL will help place candidates with leading medical and research institutions in China and help with application of the fund.

Application Criteria

  1. Date of birth after September 1, 1980

  2. Hold a doctor’s degree (PhD, M.D.)

  3. Research interest focused on natural science and engineering

  4. The candidate should have a formal teaching or scientific research position in a university, scientific research institution, or corporate R&D institution outside of China, and more than 36 consecutive months of work experience before April 30th 2021. Work experience is not strictly required in case of candidates who have obtained a doctorate outside of China and have outstanding performance.

  5. Applicants must have research achievements recognized by peer groups, with potential of leading their field.

  6. The applicant should have not engaged in employment China after September 1st, 2019. When funded, the. applicant should resign from their positions outside of China and work in China full time for no less than 3 years.

Renumeration and Benefits

  • Institutional registered employee, hired as professor and PhD candidate tutor at the affiliated university

  • Minimum annual salary of 500k RMB (USD 77K)

  • Allowance of no less than 1 million RMB (USD 154K)

  • Initiative research fund of no less than 200 million RMB (USD 308K)

  • Independent research office

  • Support for research team building, and post-doctoral/assistant recruiting, guarantee key criteria of the PhD candidates

  • Assistance in the employment of spouse, schooling of children

  • Payment and benefits are negotiable in case of outstanding talents.

Applicants must secure employment with a relevant research institution in order to be accepted. IHL will help candidates with employment application at one of the leading medical teaching institutions in China and then collaborate together to apply for the fund.

Application Period

February 22nd to April 20th, 2021

Interested candidates please contact IHL on info@ihleaders.org

Case Presentation - Proteus Syndrome

This little girl is 10 years old and has a generalized disorder of growth that may be Proteus Syndrome.  She has a progressive scoliosis that has progressed quickly in the last two years to 70 degrees – that is a very significant curve.  The curve is stiff and even with maximum pressure only reduces to 60 degrees.  I made a decision to treat her surgically, talked to the parents and after careful discussion consideration they agreed to let this American doctor operate on their daughter. 

We did exhaustive testing, x-rays, bending x-rays, CT, three dimensional reconstructions of the spine from the CT, MRI, blood tests…we arranged for the sophisticated instruments that would be needed to implant and correct the curve and fuse the spine.  We arranged for special spinal cord monitoring to help avoid catastrophic neurological injury.  The cell saver was used to salvage the shed blood and allow it to be given back to the patient.

Surgery day came and as anticipated it was a challenging case – I entered the operating room at 0900 and left at 1800.  There were undiagnosed spontaneous fusions at the apex of the curve that required bone removal from the spine.  The stiffness could only be overcome by fastidious releases of all the connecting ligaments and insertion of screws and rods. 

The surgery went beautifully and she was back in her room at 2100 the day of surgery. The following day she was talking to me – The family relieved and happy.

By David P. Roye M.D.

IHL Celebrates Beijing Health Alliance Charitable Foundation's 10 Year Anniversary

IHL was honored to be invited to Beijing for the 10th anniversary celebrations of the Beijing Health Alliance Charitable Foundation, and the 7th anniversary celebrations of Beijing Life Oasis. Both foundations were our partners in the INSIGHT COVID-19 international public health education program.

The Beijing Health Alliance Charitable Foundation’s mission is to promote public welfare causes, fund research for public health care, and assist vulnerable groups by promoting disease prevention knowledge and subsidizing medical treatment.

The celebrations was attended by hundreds in Beijing. During the event, Dr. Roye delivered a congratulatory message on the big screen, and took to the stage with members of the foundation for a song and dance routine of Auld Lang Syne to bid farewell to the old year.

IHL and Rady Children’s Hospital Renew Visiting Fellows Agreement

As a sign of good things to come IHL has signed an MOU with Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego to host Chinese visiting fellows in pediatric orthopedic surgery.  Observerships can be provided in spinal deformity, pediatric hip, hip preservation, sports, trauma and neuromuscular disorders including cerebral palsy. 

We are so excited to see the opportunities for visiting fellowships begin to open again!  The time frame is likely late spring or summer 2021 but of course the trajectory of the Covid 19 epidemic in the USA will determine exactly when these positions will open up.

Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego CA

Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego CA

Visit to Fujian for Children of China Pediatrics Foundation CCPF

Children of China Pediatrics Foundation has been caring for Chinese orphans and indigent children in China for more than twenty years.  Year after year without fail volunteer nurses, therapists, surgeons, doctors provided free care to hundreds of children all over China.  The pandemic changed all that.  I led a trip to Shenzhen last fall and that was the last time we were able to make arrangements with a Chinese hospital to bring teams and equipment to perform surgeries and to provide modern physical therapy rehabilitation.

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Our paradigm has always been repeated visits to the same hospitals and forming a close partnership with our Chinese partners so that there was seamless delivery of care and seamless follow up.  This crisis has really created hurdles for us and as we are all aware, hurdles for all healthcare providers.  As the CMO of this organization this has presented a challenge that we are trying hard to meet.  I have one monumental advantage – I now live in China.  I moved to Beijing in mid-February 2020 and now have moved to Guangzhou.  I can face the logistics of how to continue to help our continuing patients.

I am a pediatric orthopedic surgeon with an expertise in spine surgery for kids.  CCPF has undertaken to treat many children with early onset scoliosis with growing rod systems that need to be lengthened regularly.  It requires spinal cord monitoring, specialized instrumentation and implants.  We have a number of kids who need lengthening or revision so I must find a place to do that.  Adding to the difficulties is the current political posturing by the USA and PRC.  My solution is to partner with Chinese institutions and their surgeons to get the cases done with the help of the on the ground Chinese staff of CCPF. 

Last week I wangled an invitation to visit hospitals in Fujian Province with the help of a pediatric orthopedic surgeon from Xiamen with whom I have become reacquainted since moving here.  Dr. Feng Lin accompanied me and the team on a tour of Xiamen Children’s Hospital in Xiamen.  I was accompanied by my JuniperMD team including my CEO Liu Da and my operations officer Dr. Liu Zhilu.  On the CCPF side our cofounder Dr. Hong Haiyang and Claire (and I).  It was a collegial group being hosted by open enthusiastic providers from both hospitals.

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overlooking the sea in Xiamen.  We met friends in the hospitality industry and toured a few new bars – they were innovative, interesting and fun.  The next day we were at Xiamen Children’s Hospital at 0900 and were really impressed by the 6 year old institution – a full service children’s hospital partnering with Fudan Children’s Hospital to provide the backup that a new, growing institution needs.  The staff was professional and welcoming – no political issues it seemed!

After a quick lunch at Xiamen’s Children’s Hospital we left by car for Quanzhou and the Quanzhou Orthopedic Hospital.  They have a complete orthopedic service including a burgeoning pediatric orthopedic division under the leadership of Li Bingzuan.  They do trauma of course, but also reconstruction and they treat spine cases non operatively (i.e. casting and bracing).  They have spinal cord monitoring and spine surgeons and an ICU but no PICU and no pediatricians.  They have an agreement with Quanzhou Women’s and Children’s Hospital to provide those specialists.  The hospital was open, clean, efficient and the staff was professional and welcoming. 

We had a wonderful afternoon walking in brilliant clear sunlight, perfect fall weather, and visited an ancient temple where we walked and took pictures before walking into the central shopping eating district around the temple for dinner.  We drove back to our hotel in Xiamen to get some rest before an early morning flight back to Guangzhou.

I was so pleased by the trip.  Not only was it not difficult to talk about coming there to perform needed surgery for the kids I have lined up, both teams were eager to help CCPF in general and in the future.  It was really gratifying.  A perfect 36 hour trip – successful meetings with aligned incentives, collegial intelligent colleagues, perfect weather in two beautiful cities and delicious seafood.  Hopefully we will be back soon to actually perform the surgeries and to cooperate helping local children as well.

APRIL-MAY 2020: INSIGHT COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAM ATTRACTS MILLIONS OF VIEWERS ONLINE

During April and May 2020, IHL collaborated with the China National Health Commission Health Human Resources Development Center’s (HHRDC), and the China Primary Health Care Foundation to deliver INSIGHT COVID-19 - an online public health management education program for Chinese and global medical professionals. With scientific, public health, management, and communications objectives, the 20-module program brought together leaders and professionals to share work and experiences in the fight against the pandemic.

Prof. Zhong Nanshan

Prof. Zhong Nanshan

We were honored to have Dr Nanshan ZHONG, China’s appointed expert team leader for COVID-19 as our keynote speaker. The launch in April attracted more than 6 million views, and with registered attendance for the course we have had 10 million views of the live webinar content. Guests speakers include Prof. Li Lanjuan from the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Dr. Zhu Chouwen of the Zhongshan Hospital, Dr. Zhang Junhua, Director General, HHRDC

Guest lecturers included Dr. Kasisomayajula Viswanath and Dr. Shekar Saxena from the Harvard School of Public Health, and Dr. Lou Ann Bruno-Murtha from the  Cambridge Health Alliance.

Dr. Roye's Retirement Party

IHL Founder and CEO, Dr. Roye celebrated his illustrious forty-five year career at New York Orthopaedic Hospital/Columbia Orthopedics with a celebration in January 2020, surrounded by friends, family and colleagues.

Dr. Roye has been a Columbia faculty member since 1980, where he established the division of pediatric orthopedics in 1980, and later founded the Weinberg Family Cerebral Palsy Center in 2013. In his career, he has committed himself to caring for children with orthopedic problems, teaching future orthopedic surgeons, and conducting research on children's musculoskeletal problems. He has gained the respect and admiration of his patients, their parents, and his students for his quiet competence, commitment, and caring.

In 2009, Dr. Roye received the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons’ Humanitarian Award, which honors fellows of the academy who have “distinguished themselves by providing outstanding musculoskeletal care, both in the United States and abroad.

Dr. Roye has big plans after retirement and is set to make a permanent move to China in February 2020 to further his work at IHL. Dr. Roye will be concentrating his efforts on the development of training programs for next generation of health providers and policy makes in China. Dr. Roye will continue his work caring for patients with orthopedic and neuromuscular disorders in China.

David P. Roye, MD Talks About IHL's Mission And Goal

10 years ago, Dr. David P. Roye Jr.  founded International Healthcare Leadership at Columbia University Medical Center in the city of New York to promote physician training in China. IHL's vision and function has evolved during the past decade, but our passion and goal have never changed. 

Let's hear Dr. Roye tell the story of founding the organization, and describe the mission and goal of IHL.

Happy Chinese New Year from IHL!

2016 has been an extraordinary year for IHL, thanks to the support of our friends and partners in China. As Chinese Spring Festival is approaching, we wish all of you a very happy, healthy, and fruitful year of the Rooster. We hope 2017 will be just as successful, for both you, and us!

Want to hear New Year greetings from IHL mentors in Chinese? Go on and hit play!

A very special thank you to our mentors: Prof. Michael S. Sparer, Dr. Anthony R. Brown, and Dr. David P. Roye!

Oct 21, 2016: IHL "Fireside Chats" Sino-U.S. Physician Panel: Big Data & Clinical Practice

On October 21st, 2016, the new session of IHL “Fireside Chats” Sino-U.S. Physician Panel was successfully held at Columbia University Medical Center. The topic of this panel: Big Data & Clinical Practice, was one of the most discussed and interested lately. How should clinical workers incorporate data analytic methods into the improvement of the quality of care? How could clinical benefit from the application of big data science? IHL invited 6 physicians and researchers with different background to join the discussion. The panel was moderated by Wei Zhou, MPH, Clinical Analyst at NYU Langone Medical Center and Columbia University Alumni. In addition, the meeting was telecast live on the Internet for the first time to allow audiences from across the world to attend.

The panelists include:

David P. Roye Jr., MD, St. Giles Professor of Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery at Columbia University Medical Center;

Guibing Fu, MD, Associate Director of Orthopedic Department at Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, China;

Hiroko Matsumoto, PhDc, Director of Research at Weinberg Family Cerebral Palsy Center at Columbia University;

Kevin Wang, Quality Officer of Orthopedic Department at Columbia University Medical Center;

Chong Weng, MD, Attending Orthopedic Surgeon at Zhengzhou University No.1 Affiliated Hospital, China;

Mr. Handong Ma, Co-Founder of Shanghai Synyi Medical Technology Co., Ltd.

At the beginning of the discussion, Mr. Wei Zhou, the moderator, gave some short yet informative background introduction on the state of the art in clinical big data research. Panelists then shared two cases of they brought from their own departments subsequently to compare the different patterns used to implement data sciences in clinical practice in Chinese an American hospitals. The panel then started a hot discussion on clinical database building, clinical risk assessment, and decision optimization. U.S. professionals also shared their insights into the application of big data in surgical risk assessment. 

After the discussion, panelists answered several questions raised by the audience. Dr. Guibing Fu, director of orthopedic at Shenzhen Children’s, pointed out that “The model U.S. hospitals built up to assess surgical site infection is a perfect example of how big data can help improve clinical practice. The power of data sciences should be borrowed to solve more clinical problems.” His perspective was well agreed by all the other panelists. “No matter whether we are talking about big data or medical precision data, there is definitely a huge potential we can apply them to improve the quality of clinical care. Yet, we have to admit, there is still a long way to go.” Concluded David P. Roye, MD, at the end of the meeting.

Full footage of the panel will be accessible online shortly. Please follow IHL on social medias to keep up with our latest activities.

AUG 8, 2016: IHL EXECUTIVE HEALTHCARE LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

On August 8, 2016, the second delivery of IHL Executive Healthcare Leadership Program was launched at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health in the city of New York. More than 20 Chinese healthcare leaders attended the course. The delegation consisted of hospital administrators, healthcare industry representatives, and government officials.

During their 9-day stay, speakers from New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, Cornell University Weill Cornell Medicine College and many other top institutions gave lectures, seminars and case study sessions to the delegation on various topics in healthcare management including Strategic Management, Quality and Safety, Healthcare Finance and Healthcare IT. The group was also invited for tours in Mount Sinai Hospital, Columbia Family Medicine and New York-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center to get to know the U.S. healthcare and clinical practice in depth. A Certificate of Completion issued by Columbia University was awarded to each delegate at the end of the course.

Compared to the first delivery back in 2014, the refined course structure was able to efficiently deliver theoretical models and practical experience that met the updated demand in Chinese health care. The program was highly appraised by the delegation as well as the faculty. The first Alumni Symposium of the Executive Healthcare Leadership Program is expected to be held in China this fall.