On December 15, 2021, West China–Pittsburgh Nursing Development Communication Meeting was held in the 5G Telemedicine Center. Prof. CHENG Nansheng, Vice Dean of West China School of Medicine/ West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Prof. LI Ka, Executive Dean of West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Prof. ZOU Ling, Director of International office of West China Hospital, Mr. YIN Junbo from International Office, Sichuan University, and leaders from related departments participated in the meeting.
From University of Pittsburgh, Prof. Jacqueline Dunbar-Jacob, Dean of the School of Nursing, Associate Prof. Elizabeth A.Schlenk, Associate Dean for Graduate Clinical Education, Prof. Yvette Conley, Vice Chair for Research and PhD Program Director, Ms. Lucinda Morgan, Director of International Affairs, and Ms. Siew Lee Grand-Clément, Vice President of International Nursing and Quality of UPMC International, Mr. Jeff Bernstein, Senior Vice President and Managing of UPMC International and Director of UPMC China, as with as colleagues from UPMC attended the meeting. The meeting was co-hosted by Zhang Fengying, Vice Dean of West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, and Siew Lee Grand-clement, Vice President of International Nursing and Quality of the UPMC International.
Prof. CHENG Nansheng delivered the welcome speech at the beginning of the meeting. He introduced the achievements in discipline construction and international collaboration of West China school of Nursing, SCU in recent years. He pointed out that since the signing of Memorandum of Understanding in 2019, a series of exchanges and collaborations have been conducted in various fields. He expected further cooperation with the School of Nursing in the future.
Mr. Jeff Bernstein outlined UPMC’s development in China, and highlighted the long-standing friendship and cooperative relationship with West China. He expressed confidence, and will give strong support for the cooperation.
Prof. Jacqueline Dunbar-Jacob introduced the School of Nursing at University of Pittsburgh, including its reputation, training model, research directions and research platforms. Prof. Dunbar said she was looking forward to the cooperation and appreciated the UPMC for facilitating the meeting.
Subsequently, the two sides conducted in-depth communication on future cooperation plans, including academic conference, joint courses and training, overseas clinical practice, visiting professors, mutual exchange visits, and joint degree education. Prof. Jacqueline Dunbar-Jacob showed high expectation of these collaborative projects.
In conclusion, Prof. LI Ka said that the“West China–Pittsburgh Nursing Development Communication Meeting”successfully opened the exchanges pathway between the two institutions, created a good atmosphere for cooperation, and reached a high degree of consensus on future cooperation projects. Both sides will seek further cooperation opportunities in talent training, research platforms construction, disciplines development etc. with long-term exchanges and friendship.