It has been almost a year since I last posted. Not because my patient wife has not encouraged me often! There have been many new occurrences:
1. We are now visiting Baotou at least 5-6 times a year, to help establish a consistent Heart Program in that location. Also to see old friends from as far back as thirteen years ago.
2. We have been invited by the President of the Fuwai Hospital in Beijing to come several times a year to help train their residents and establish a standardized training experience for not only that hospital but one that could be applied in most of China. This is a hospital that performs close to 15,000 open heart procedures a year!
3. We have met many new friends in Nanjing and continue our 28 year experience in that location!
Becki continues to teach conversational English to the doctors, nurses and even the administration. We have found it easier to navigate the transportation system ie., DiDi (Chinese equivalent to Uber), subway, trains and eBikes. Familiarity with stores for grocery shopping and other needs, has greatly improved. Becki is also sketching almost each day and looks forward to taking water color lessons from an incredible artist and master in Baotou, who is a new friend. While on a recent visit to the Hua Gardens, we ran into the Bonsai Master Becki worked with last year. He has invited her back to resume lessons.
On the medical front, Nanjing First Hospital finished 2018 with almost 1,800 open heart cases posting a 1.2% mortality. This number includes 18 heart transplants, approximately 300 Aortic dissections, and predominantly valve and coronary artery bypass grafting. There have also been the occasional congenital heart, and unusual cardiac diagnosis that needed surgery. The team is functioning at an excellent level.
Training Residents
In Bejing we were invited to the Forbidden City by new friends. This was the first time it had been opened at night in its long history. It was truly spectacular!
Upon returning to China early February, we found the weather much colder and wetter than last year, but spring is blossoming and summer will be here quickly.
This year we have enjoyed visits from: Dr. and Mrs. Robertie, Dr. and Mrs. Dale Sloan and Dr. and Mrs. Gary Ott. Brandon, our oldest son, also had work in Shanghai, and we were able to travel to that location by train and spend a few days with him and his team.
Partners
Check out the link 2702 above!!! Next generation