Dean Frazier Visits China
Dialogue with nursing education leaders sparks new collaborations
This year Dean Lorraine Frazier, PhD, and Professor Jingjing Shang, PhD, visited China in a significant step towards fostering international collaboration and enriching nursing education.
Supported by Columbia Global Centers Beijing, this strategic visit focused on exploring ideas and practices that foster a holistic approach to health and nursing education, as well as opportunities for nursing students' global practices and collaboration.
Strengthening ties with leading nursing institutions
During their stay, Dean Frazier and Professor Shang engaged with some of China’s foremost medical institutions, including Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) and Beijing University of Chinese Medicine.
The delegation received a warm welcome from Zheng Li, PhD, a registered nurse (RN) and dean of the School of Nursing at PUMC, along with the institution’s senior leaders, esteemed faculty, and current students, setting the tone for a series of highly productive discussions. The PUMC School of Nursing has been a leader in nursing education and research in China for over a century.
The conversations focused on expanding student exchange programs and fostering robust professional communication channels between Columbia and PUMC to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of nursing practices within a global framework.
The delegation then visited the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine (BUCM), a premier institution specializing in traditional Chinese medicine. Anlong Xu, PhD, president of BUCM, presented the university's vision and mission, along with the foundational theories and perspectives of traditional Chinese medicine and the university’s commitment to advancing traditional Chinese medical theories and practices.
Dean Frazier was particularly interested in the practical applications of traditional Chinese medicine in nursing education at BUCM, and how BUCM's methodologies could be adapted at Columbia. By combining Western and Eastern medical philosophies, Columbia Nursing aims to equip its students with an integrative set of skills and knowledge, enhancing their ability to provide comprehensive, culturally competent care in a globalized health care environment.
The delegation also visited the Beijing office of the China Medical Board (CMB) and met with Wenkai Li, MD, the director and senior program manager. For over a century, CMB has been a pivotal force in advancing health in China and neighboring Asian countries by strengthening medical, nursing, and public health research and education. Together they explored potential future Columbia-CMB collaborations.
Exchange experiences with local hospitals
Next up was a visit to Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) and the First Affiliated Hospital of the Zhejiang University School of Medicine (FAHZU), both renowned for their exceptional nursing practices and contributions to health care.
At PUMC Hospital, Na Guo, MSHM, an RN and director of the Department of Organization and former director of the Department of Nursing, along with senior leaders at the Department of Nursing and International Collaboration Office, provided an overview of the hospital's nursing practices, focusing on the needs and development of specialist nurses, essential to understanding the demands and expectations of specialist nursing in the Chinese health care system. Dean Frazier provided an overview of the school’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program and the rigorous training that prepares graduates for advanced practice roles.
Both parties acknowledged PUMC Hospital's leadership and pioneering role in Chinese nursing and explored various avenues for potential collaboration, including developing training programs tailored to the needs of Chinese nurses. At the First Affiliated Hospital of the Zhejiang University School of Medicine in Hangzhou, Dean Frazier and Professor Shang engaged with local nursing leaders and educators, sharing insights and best practices in nursing education and clinical care, including the use of AI and advanced technology in both areas.
Introduction to ‘body, mind, and spirit healing’
Beyond academic engagements, the visit included an immersive exploration of Chinese culture and health philosophies. The delegation explored various cultural sites and engaged in activities that deepened their understanding of Chinese Buddhism and the holistic approach of “身心灵治愈” (body, mind, and spirit healing), a concept central to traditional Chinese health practices and reflected in acupuncture and acupressure, herbal medicine, Qi Gong and Tai Chi, dietary therapy, meditation and mindfulness, and other key practices. This cultural immersion underscored the strategic and organizational value of incorporating diverse health philosophies into nursing education.
Dean Frazier’s visit to China not only opens up new pathways for student exchanges and global practicums, but also introduces innovative ideas for integrating diverse medical knowledge into nursing education, essential in a globalized world.
This article was adapted from “Columbia Nursing Dean Lorraine Frazier Visits China,” originally published August 1, 2024, by Columbia Global Centers Beijing.