Exhibition honours alumnus Dr Fuqing Yan, a pioneer of modern Chinese medicine
For the first time in Europe, the special exhibition Dr. Yan: A Pioneer has opened, celebrating the life and legacy of Dr Fuqing Yan, a University of Liverpool alumnus and pioneering figure in modern Chinese medicine.
Supported by Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Jiefang Daily and the University of Liverpool, the exhibition will run from Tuesday 22 – Friday 25 September 2026 at the Liverpool Medical Institution.
Marking the exhibitions debut in Liverpool, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Liverpool, Professor Tim Jones joined the Deputy Dean of Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Xu Jun and the Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Jiefang Daily, Liu Yonggang to commemorate its opening.
L-R: Professor Peter McCormick, Cllr. Nick Small, Consul General Mr Rui Tang, Professor Tim Jones, Professor Jun Xu, Professor Sally Sheard, Counsellor Yan Liang
The showcase explores Dr Yan’s remarkable journey as a distinguished medical educator and advocate of social medicine, featuring rare archival letters, historic images, certificates and newspaper clippings that chart the development of his medical career. It also pays tribute to his significant contributions to Sino-British medical and cultural exchange more than a century ago.
After becoming the first Asian person to earn a medical doctorate from Yale University in 1909, Dr Yan pursued further studies at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, whose qualifications were awarded by the University of Liverpool at the time.
Following his studies, Dr Yan became a founding member and the first Dean of Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, where he played a leading role in establishing China’s first national medical school.
Speaking at the event, Professor Tim Jones said: "As we reflect on Dr Yan's achievements, we are reminded of values that remain at the heart of the University of Liverpool today: academic excellence, innovation, global engagement, and service to society.
"More than one hundred years after he walked our campus, Dr Yan's example continues to inspire us. His life demonstrates how education can bridge cultures, advance knowledge, and improve lives. It reminds us that universities are not only places of learning, but also places where future leaders, innovators, and changemakers begin their journeys."
Speaking about the significance of the exhibition, Xu Jun said: “Liverpool holds great significance in Dr. Yan’s academic life—it was the final destination of his overseas studies before he returned to China.”
“This crucial experience shaped his public health philosophy of ‘prevention first’ and his vision of establishing a systematic public healthcare system. After more than a century, we bring his story back to Liverpool. This exhibition is not only a tribute to a medical pioneer, but also a heartfelt return, more than a century later, to his academic roots.”
Editor of Jiefang Daily and curator of Dr. Yan: A Pioneer, Wang Na said: “When Dr. Yan crossed the seas to Liverpool to study tropical medicine, this period of study laid the foundation for a lasting tradition of Sino-British medical and cultural exchange. After returning to China, he not only helped build a modern system of medical education but also inspired successive generations of Chinese doctors and medical students to travel to Britain for further study and training. It is difficult to imagine how he could have planted the seeds of such enduring cross-cultural exchange without exceptional moral integrity and immense courage. That courage sustained him through a life marked by hardship and unwavering dedication.”
A number of distinguished guests attended and spoke at the opening ceremony, including Mr Rui Tang, Consul General of the Chinese Consulate General in Manchester, and Professor Liang Yan, Counsellor, Head of the Education Section; Councillor Nick Small, Deputy Mayor of Liverpool City Council; Professor Sally Sheard, Dean of the Institute of Population Health & Andrew Geddes and John Rankin Professor of Modern History and Professor Peter McCormick, Associate Pro-Vice Chancellor for Postgraduate Affairs and International Partnerships.
You can see Dr. Yan: A Pioneer from 22 – 25 September 2026 at Liverpool Medical Institution.