The Dragon’s Kidneys Open Doors
The BWH Renal Division, HMS and the Institute of Nephrology at Peking University are teaming up as sister renal centers (SRC) to bridge care differences between the U.S. and Asian countries and develop more research programs. This U.S.-China partnership, called the “Dragon’s Kidneys,” focuses on improving medical training and national standards of care in China.
“This program will make a positive contribution to health care in China where kidney disease is not as easily diagnosed as it is here. Diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity contribute to the problem, and then, all of a sudden, patients need dialysis,” said Dirk Hentschel, MD. “We need to help build programs that focus on prevention.”
In the program’s first exchange of physician-scientists, Li Yang, MD, came from Peking to Boston to work with Joseph Bonventre, MD, PhD, director of the Renal Division, at BWH and HMS for two years. She is studying the basic science of acute kidney injury and learning how to integrate basic research into the fabric of a vital clinical enterprise in order to implement similar programs at Peking University. In addition, she attends clinical conferences in the Renal Division.
Yang practices nephrology and internal medicine in China, where she is an associate professor at Peking University’s medical school. When she heard about the possibility to study in the U.S., she jumped on the opportunity. “There are gaps between Chinese and American academic nephrology, and we want to close those gaps,” she said.
Another physician will join Yang this summer, and Hentschel anticipates more as the program grows.
In addition, the International Society of Nephrology supported SRC, over the next six years is working towards establishing national standards for renal care in China and a nephrology board exam for specialists. The Dragon’s Kidneys aims to stop the increased incidence of renal disease in China and other Asian countries.
“It’s exciting for us to be a part of this because of the quality of faculty coming here and their commitment to improving care, not only in China, but here as well,” said Hentschel.