My visit to Children’s Hospital of Loma Linda University

From May 7, 2024 to June 18, 2024, I attended the observation program at Children’s Hospital of Loma Linda University in the United States.

During this visit, I learned about the history of the development of Loma Linda University Medical Center, especially the development process of the Children's Hospital and NICU. I have a deeper understanding of the differences between the medical operation system of the Loma Linda children’s hospital and ours, and different medical culture and values.

Loma Linda University was founded in 1905 by John Burden and Ellen Brown White. John Burden was a pastor, administrator, and medical missionary for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the United States. Ellen White is an American writer who was also considered a leading figure in the history of American vegetarianism. Knowing this, you will have a good understanding of the culture and value of Loma Linda University Health.

Children's Hospital of Loma Linda University was established in 1993. NICU was founded in 1997 by Chul Choon Cha, a Korean born in China. At the beginning, the NICU had only 6 beds, and now it has more than 90 beds. The department now has more than 300 nurses, more than 20 attending, 3 campuses, and high risk infant follow-up (HRIF) clinics. The current department is Level 4.

The work model and work philosophy of Loma Linda University are "Make The Man Whole", and the values of "Compassion, Integrity, Excellence, Teamwork, Wholeness" are worth learning.

During this visit, I mainly observed the daily ward morning rounds of the NICU department of Loma Linda University children’s hospital, observed the different teamwork modes, learned about the different training and working modes of doctors (attending, fellow, resident) at home and abroad, and participated in the Neo-Monday weekly meeting, Morbidity & Mortality conference, NICU Quality Improvement meeting, and training lectures in the ward. I also shadowed the follow-up of preterm infants after discharge from NICU, observed the communication between physical therapists and the sick children and their families, and observed the video follow-up of an outpatient child. There was also a day to observe the daily work of child life, to understand the importance of the work of child life specialists at the heart transplantation of Loma Linda University children’s hospital, and follow a child life specialist to the operating room to calm the child with extreme anxiety.

Through the international exchange, I experienced the differences between  different cultures and backgrounds, learned advanced concepts and techniques, and gained many friends. For me, this is a valuable experience, and I am grateful to the Children's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine and Loma Linda University Children's Hospital for giving me this wonderful learning opportunity.

                         Weiyan Wang

Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine

June 20, 2024