An American Transplant

An American Transplant: The Rockefeller Foundation and Peking Union Medical College reflects on the impact of Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) in China, tracing the evolution of American medical philanthropy through the Rockefeller Foundation’s establishment of the institution in the early 20th century. Originally designed to introduce Western medical standards, PUMC produced graduates who played pivotal roles in Chinese public health and medical education, bridging Eastern and Western medical practices. The author’s personal visit in 1974 provides a poignant view of how PUMC, though transformed, remained a symbol of American influence, now housing the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences.

The book highlights PUMC alumni like Dr. Chung Huei-lan and C.C. Ch'en, who adapted their Western medical training to tackle the country’s pressing health challenges, such as parasitic diseases in rural areas. Dr. Chung’s work in rural health initiatives and Dr. Ch'en’s pioneering programs for community health education and lay health workers exemplify how PUMC's graduates became architects of a uniquely Chinese model of public health. These contributions reflect a significant shift from Western notions of "impact" and "response" to a more nuanced understanding of "adaptation" and "assimilation," where local needs and cultural context shaped the application of imported medical knowledge.

An American Transplant ultimately examines how the Rockefeller Foundation’s legacy in Chinese medicine persisted not as a rigid blueprint but as an adaptable framework that Chinese health practitioners transformed over decades. This evolution speaks to the complex nature of cultural exchange, where the original vision of PUMC became interwoven with Chinese innovations, resulting in a medical system uniquely suited to the nation’s needs. The enduring influence of PUMC underscores how meaningful cultural collaborations often thrive through adaptation and mutual growth rather than one-sided influence.