On April 22, 2025, Professor Derek Hausenloy from the National University of Singapore was invited to visit and exchange at The Second Norman Bethune Hospital of Jilin University, where he also delivered an academic lecture. The exchange meeting was attended by Qin Yanguo, Party Secretary of The Second Norman Bethune Hospital of Jilin University; Xu Tianmin, Vice President; Liu Kexiang, Discipline Leader of Cardiovascular Surgery; Lü Dongmei, Director of the Department of Ultrasound Medicine; Liu Jianhua, Director of the Department of Radiology; as well as representatives from related departments and medical staff. The meeting was presided over by Xu Tianmin.
In his speech, Qin Yanguo extended a warm welcome to Professor Derek Hausenloy for his visit and provided a detailed introduction to the hospital's development history and the remarkable achievements in its disciplinary construction, with special emphasis on the developmental trajectory of the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery. Qin Yanguo highlighted that, after years of relentless efforts, both the scale and the diagnostic and treatment capabilities of the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery have achieved leapfrog advancements. He expressed his hope that this in-depth exchange would vigorously promote further collaboration between the two parties in the field of medicine.
Professor Derek Hausenloy delivered an academic lecture titled "Cardiovascular Research in Singapore and Beyond." The lecture provided an in-depth analysis of cutting-edge developments in cardiovascular research both in Singapore and globally, exploring disease mechanisms and highlighting achievements in clinical translation. Through specific case studies, the professor shared innovative research findings from his team in areas such as myocardial protection and cardiometabolic diseases. The content of the lecture was both theoretically profound and practically insightful, sparking keen interest among the audience.
Xu Tianmin expressed that Professor Derek Hausenloy's lecture not only opened a window to the forefront of international cardiovascular research for everyone but also provided new ideas and inspiration for the future scientific research direction of The Second Norman Bethune Hospital of Jilin University. In the face of cardiovascular diseases as a global health challenge, international cooperation and exchange are particularly crucial. Through such academic exchange activities, not only can mutual understanding and friendship be enhanced, but complementary advantages in scientific research and clinical practice can also be achieved, jointly driving progress in the field of cardiovascular medicine.
During the on-site interaction session, Liu Jianhua raised questions regarding the application of artificial intelligence in coronary artery CT diagnosis and metabolic cardiac magnetic resonance. Professor Derek Hausenloy provided detailed professional responses to each query, sparking a lively discussion between both parties. The academic atmosphere at the venue was highly engaging.
At the exchange meeting, Qin Yanguo, on behalf of The Second Norman Bethune Hospital of Jilin University, presented Professor Derek Hausenloy with a Letter of Appointment as a Visiting Professor. He highly commended Professor Hausenloy's outstanding academic achievements and significant influence in the field, and expressed anticipation for deeper collaboration in areas such as scientific research, talent cultivation, and international academic exchanges. Professor Derek Hausenloy sincerely thanked the hospital for its trust and stated that he would actively promote academic mutual learning and resource sharing in the medical fields between China and Singapore.
After the meeting, accompanied by Professor Liu Kexiang, Professor Derek Hausenloy conducted an on-site visit to the Cardiovascular Surgery Intensive Care Unit and wards, where he gained in-depth understanding of the department's advanced experience in aortic disease treatment and surgical management of coronary artery diseases. The two sides engaged in in-depth discussions on technological innovations and research related to myocardial protection during cardiac surgery and surgical treatment of end-stage heart disease.
In the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, the professor gained in-depth insights into the clinical specialties and basic research directions of the department, particularly in fields such as interventional cardiology. He engaged in discussions with Professor Liu Bin, Director of the department, and Professor Zhang Jichang, Deputy Director, on management models for chronic heart failure. Both sides expressed hope for further exchanges and collaboration in areas such as the treatment of STEMI patients.
Professor Derek Hausenloy also visited the Intelligent Medical Center, Department of Radiology, Department of Nuclear Medicine, and the Hospital History Museum at The Second Norman Bethune Hospital of Jilin University. At the Intelligent Medical Center, he gained a detailed understanding of the application scenarios of artificial intelligence-assisted diagnostic systems. In the Department of Radiology, he engaged in professional discussions on the use of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in acute myocardial infarction. In the Department of Nuclear Medicine, exchanges focused on PET/CT myocardial imaging and SPECT/CT myocardial perfusion imaging. At the Hospital History Museum, Professor Derek Hausenloy comprehensively learned about the hospital's development history and cultural heritage through historical materials, laying a solid foundation for in-depth exchanges on disciplinary construction experiences and identifying potential collaboration opportunities between both parties.
This exchange event adopted a model of "comprehensive pre-visit tours and specialized in-depth visits on the day," which not only demonstrated the hospital's comprehensive capabilities in areas such as smart healthcare and imaging diagnostics but also highlighted the remarkable achievements in cardiovascular specialty. In the future, both parties will take this opportunity to engage in substantive collaboration in fields such as cardiovascular disease research and clinical technology innovation, jointly advancing the progress of medical science.
