In the annals of modern Chinese medical education, the name Yan Fuqing stands out with exceptional distinction. Yan Fuqing was not only a pioneer in higher medical education in China but also a founding figure of Xiangya Medicine. His outstanding leadership, selfless dedication, and deep patriotism left a lasting impact on medical education in Hunan and beyond. In honor of the 110th anniversary of Xiangya Medical Education at Central South University, the Xiangya School of Medicine has compiled and published the book Dr. Yan Fuqing in Hunan, recently released by Central South University Press.

As the first Asian to earn a Doctor of Medicine degree from Yale University, Yan Fuqing arrived in Hunan on February 27, 1910, and devoted nearly seventeen years to advancing public health in the region before leaving on December 15, 1926. Hunan was where Dr. Yan began his journey of exploring and practicing medical education, and it was here that his philosophies of “public medicine”, “prevention first”, and “serving the community” took shape.

During his time in Hunan, Yan Fuqing excelled at fostering collaborations and established several key institutions, including the Hunan Red Cross Society and Hunan Red Cross Hospital (now Hunan Provincial People’s Hospital), the Hunan Red Cross Nurses’ Training Institute (the predecessor of Hunan Medical College, now Hunan University of Medicine), Xiangya Medical School, Christian Changsha Youth Middle School, and the Hunan Branch of the Chinese Medical Association. Dr. Yan was one of the founders and the first president of Xiangya Medical School, whose establishment marked a significant milestone in the history of modern higher medical education jointly run by Chinese and foreign institutions.

Liu Depei, an academician and a graduate of the 1981 class of Hunan Medical College, contributed an inscription for the book.

Dr. Yan Fuqing in Hunan is a richly illustrated book, grounded in newly discovered and verified historical materials, vividly portraying Dr. Yan’s medical practice in Hunan and his service to the community. The book, spanning over 470,000 words, is organized into eight chapters: “Master in Pictures”, “Yan Fuqing’s Family”, “Xiangya School Contracts/Reports/Charter”, “Master’s Writings”, “The President on Medical Education”, “Literature Reports”, “Commemorative Documents”, and “Modern Research”. It features a wealth of valuable historical photographs and documents, honoring Dr. Yan’s exceptional contributions to Chinese medical education. The book also offers readers a window into the history of medical education in Hunan and China, and the life and legacy of Dr. Yan Fuqing, providing insights and inspiration for the future.

(First Review: Li Ruijun, Second Review: Liu Zhisheng, Third Review: Huang Gengwen)