UC Davis Health Faculty Discuss Neurological Conditions in China

News | November 2019

(Sacramento) — Nine UC Davis Health neurologists and staff from the UC Davis Health Office of International Affiliations traveled to China to present at the Beijing Neurology Summit 2019 from August 11-15, 2019. Hosted by Peking University First Affiliated Hospital and Beijing Tiantan Hospital, the summit focused on stroke management, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, traumatic/acute brain injuries, epilepsy, migraine management, sleep disorders, outcome improvement and clinical research.

After giving their initial presentations, several UC Davis Health faculty members were invited to speak at Peking University Second Hospital and Peking University International Hospital, as well as participate in a webinar on sleep disorders with multiple Chinese hospitals. Rosy Chow, lead physical therapist and a neuroclinical specialist in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, was also asked to lead a pop-up presentation for nurses on outcome improvement through occupational rehabilitation.

UC Davis Health staff visit The Great Wall at Mutianyu. (c) UC Davis RegentsEncouraging International Partnerships

Chinese patients traveled for several hours to be present at the summit after learning that neurology specialists from UC Davis Health were in attendance. The UC Davis Health neurology team was able to assist their Beijing colleagues by providing support and guidance, sharing post-treatment care recommendations for conditions such as stroke.

The summit provided an opportunity for leaders from UC Davis Health to discuss multiple areas of potential international partnership. UC Davis Health’s Department of Neurology and the Office of International Affiliations are working toward securing a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Peking University First Affiliated Hospital. Dr. Lin Zhang and Dr. Fred Gorin welcomed the leadership from Peking University First Affiliated Hospital at UC Davis Health from November 6-7, 2019. Dr. Zhang and Dr. Gorin are planning to return to Peking University First Affiliated Hospital for a formal MOU signing before the end of the year.

Volunteering and Sightseeing

Five faculty members from UC Davis Health arrived several days before the summit to visit a clinic in Linzhou, China, a city southwest of and several hours way from Beijing. Faculty members provided screening and diagnostic services for an underserved community afflicted with various neurodevelopmental disorders. During the summit itself, the neurology team was able to experience the cuisine and sights of Beijing, including the Great Wall at Mutianyu and the Ming Tombs.

UC Davis Health faculty and staff who traveled to China include neurologist Dr. Lin Zhang, neurologist Dr. Vicki Wheelock, neurologist Dr. Marc Lenaerts, neurologist Dr. Masud Seyal, neurologist Dr. Lara Zimmermann, neurologist Dr. Kwan Ng, neurologist Dr. Matthew Chow, lead physical therapist and neuroclinical specialist Rosy Chow, and International Affiliations program manager Andrea Young.  

UC Davis Health faculty dine in Bejing, China. (c) UC Davis Regents.