Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, and Loma Linda University Celebrate 20 Years of Partnership, Party Secretary Zhang Weifang Receives 'Global Impact Award'

In late April, the Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (ZCH) celebrated the 20th anniversary of cooperation with Loma Linda University Health (LLUH).

Zhang Weifang, Party Secretary of Zhejiang University Children's Hospital, led a delegation from April 26 to 29 to Loma Linda University, United States to celebrate 20 years of collaboration, discuss cooperation, and continue building the future together. 

Zhang Weifang, Party Secretary of the Zhejiang University Children's Hospital and her team, and Anthony Hilliard, President-designate of Loma Linda University Health Group and his team

The two-decade-long collaboration with Loma Linda University is one of the most valued international relationships of Zhejiang University Children's Hospital, which has built relationships with 45 medical institutions across countries including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and Japan. Both institutions focus on children’s health. This long-standing partnership has become a recognized model of international medical collaboration.

LLUH leaders and international cooperation officials all gathered at the 20th anniversary celebration ceremony hosted by Loma Linda University. Dr. Richard Hart, President of Loma Linda University, personally presented the "Global Impact Award" to Party Secretary Zhang Weifang in recognition of her active contributions to advancing cross-border collaboration between the two institutions, innovating pediatric humanistic care, and promoting U.S.-China medical exchanges. 

Party Secretary Zhang Weifang delivered a heartfelt address at the award ceremony. She stated that ZCH could not have developed its scientific capacity and management standards without the cooperation of Loma Linda University to become one of the most impactful pediatric medical institutions in China and internationally.

"Loma Linda University is a place of great significance and profound influence for me." Party Secretary Zhang Weifang recalled that in 2006, she was the first member of ZCH to visit Loma Linda University. During her two months of study, she saw the importance of pediatric care being "child and family-centered", that pediatric care requires not only exceptional medical skills but also a compassionate human touch, an experience that significantly influenced her approach to her career.

"At that time, I made a silent promise deep down in my heart: I would bring this advanced humanistic concept back to China, and I would build ZCH into a hospital where children are treated with tenderness and parents are comforted with care." — Zhang Weifang

"This honor does not belong just to me but belongs to all the colleagues of ZCH. It is recognition of our hospital's scientific strength, management level, and international influence; it is a result of the two institutions working together for 20 years. It is the collective medal of all the cooperative teams working together." — Zhang Weifang

Richard Hart, President of Loma Linda University, United States, awarded the "Global Impact Award" to Zhang Weifang, Party Secretary of the Zhejiang University Children's Hospital 

LLUH CEO Dr. Anthony Hilliard and the core management team warmly welcomed the delegates. During the two-day visit, the two sides conducted 15 exchange activities together, ranging from high-level meetings and strategic cooperation talks to specialized academic seminars, creating practical models that can be shared, scaled, and applied. 

Zhang Weifang, Party Secretary of the Zhejiang University Children's Hospital, and her team met with Peter Baker, Senior Vice President of Loma Linda University Children's Hospital, Richard Chinnock, Chief Executive Officer, and Sherry Nolfe, Director of the Nursing Department 

Party Secretary Zhang Weifang, on behalf of the Zhejiang University Children's Hospital, signed a new six-year international strategic cooperation agreement with LLUH. Built on 20 years of partnership, this agreement reaffirms both sides' commitment to deepening collaboration in key areas, including joint training of medical professionals, international student exchanges, development of key medical specialties, sharing of teaching and clinical resources, and collaborative research.  

Zhang Weifang, Party Secretary of the Zhejiang University Children's Hospital, signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Richard Hart, President of Loma Linda University

During the visit, the delegation also met with senior leaders from Loma Linda University Children's Hospital, including Senior Vice President Peter Baker, CEO Richard Chinnock, and Nursing Director Sherry Nolfe, to review progress on ongoing joint projects in areas such as speech pathology, child life services, NICU, nursing education, pediatric critical care support, and student international mission programs. The team toured the University Medical Center and the NICU and PICU at the Children’s Hospital to exchange best practices in academic development, talent training, and management.

Over the past two decades, the two institutions have developed a robust two-way exchange mechanism. ZCH has sent 115 faculty members for training, while LLUH has sent 311 experts and 109 students to Hangzhou, jointly building a strong pipeline of clinical and nursing professionals.

Delegation from Zhejiang University Children's Hospital and NICU team from Loma Linda University Children's Hospital

Zhejiang University Children's Hospital delegation and Nursing Research team from Loma Linda University Children's Hospital

The delegation also shared China’s practical experience in family-centered care (FCC) and family integrated care (FIC), promoting pediatric health practices from China on the international stage and demonstrating the professionalism and humanistic confidence of Chinese pediatrics in the new era.

The delegation of Zhejiang University Children's Hospital held discussions with the leadership of the health education institution and the head of the international cooperation department at the Loma Linda University

The delegation of Zhejiang University Children's Hospital and Child Life team from Loma Linda University Children's Hospital

At this 20-year milestone, both institutions have reaffirmed their commitment to deeper collaboration. Looking ahead, they will continue to expand joint efforts in clinical medicine, talent development, and child health innovation — building on two decades of partnership to shape the future of global pediatric care.