For second-year Loma Linda University School of Medicine medical student, Houston MacIntyre, a service experience at Dong E Hospital in Liaocheng, China became an opportunity to build relationships, exchange knowledge, and experience a new culture and healthcare system. Houston first traveled to China in December 2025 after being invited by a fourth-year medical student.
During that two-week visit to Hospital, the student was struck by the hospitality of the people, the opportunity to experience medicine from a different perspective and the cultural richness of the community. Most meaningful, however, were the relationships formed with hospital staff, which inspired his return visit during this summer with Students for International Mission Service (SIMS) this time for three weeks from July 1–21, 2026.
During the three-week experience, Houston gained firsthand exposure to a broad range of medical specialties and clinical settings at Dong E Hospital, including cardiothoracic surgery, cardiac echocardiography, interventional cardiology, the cardiac intensive care unit, neurosurgery and neuroradiology. He participated in morning reports and patient rounds while also learning from Dong E Hospital’s physicians and health care professionals.
The experience also provided opportunities to share knowledge. He taught medical English to physicians and English classes to elementary, middle and high school students. He had the opportunity to present research on a 3D-printed coronary artery bypass surgery trainer to cardiothoracic surgeons. He also participated in minimally invasive coronary artery anastomosis training using a bovine heart model and received an introduction to the da Vinci robotic surgical system.
“I was most surprised by the dedication, work ethic and compassion demonstrated by the physicians and healthcare staff,” Houston said. “Although the Chinese and American healthcare systems operate differently, I found that the commitment to providing excellent patient care was remarkably similar.”
During his visit, Houston was able to share Loma Linda University Health’s approach to whole person care with Dong E Hospital staff through presentations on the institution’s values, standardized empathy models and patient care.
“Compassionate, whole person care is a universal principle that extends beyond borders,” Houston said.
Houston attended a signing ceremony for the partnership between Dong E Hospital and Loma Linda University Health, where he had the opportunity to meet Loma Linda University Health President Anthony Hilliard, MD and his wife, Tammy Hilliard, whose mentorship added another meaningful dimension to the trip. He also took Mandarin lessons, improving speaking and listening skills and creating new opportunities to communicate with physicians, hospital staff and the children taught during the trip.
Outside the hospital, Houston experienced the culture and history of the region through visits to the Confucius Temple and Manor, a hike to the summit of Mount Tai and time exploring Shanghai and downtown Liaocheng.
“Global service fosters adaptability, cultural humility, and the value of building lasting relationships,” added Houston. “These experiences helped me and will help other Loma Linda University students grow not only as future healthcare professionals, but also as compassionate individuals who are better prepared to care for patients from diverse backgrounds.”
Loma Linda University School of Medicine along with SIMS provide a variety of local and global service and learning opportunities.
