The Hunan Provincial Health Commission recently announced the list of newly selected institutions for National Key Clinical Specialty Development for 2022. The Department of EndocrinologyMetabolism at the First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China stood out among 91 competing specialties, earning its place as an organization for National Key Clinical Specialty Development. This recognition reflects the department’s strong talent pool, outstanding medical service capabilities, remarkable scientific achievements,significant academic influence. It is the first specialty at any affiliated hospital of the University of South Chinathe first medical organization in the Hengyang region to be awarded this national designation.
The Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism at the First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China was established in the 1960s. Over the years, it has been designated as a key discipline during both the 11th12th Five-Year Plans of Hunan Province, recognized as a Hunan Provincial Key Clinical Specialty,accredited as a core memberprovincial sub-center of the National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases. The department also serves as the lead unit of the Hunan Provincial Regional Medical Center Endocrinology Specialty Alliancethe Hunan Diabetes Clinical Research Center. Most recently, it was selected as an organization for National Key Clinical Specialty Development.
The department boasts an outstanding team, comprising 5 chief physiciansprofessors, 8 deputy chief physiciansassociate professors,6 doctoralmaster’s supervisors. Among its faculty are 14 PhD holders8 overseas returnees. The team also includes 2 experts receiving special government allowances from the State Council, 1 expert receiving a special allowance from the Hunan Provincial Government, 2 of Hunan’s first cohort of academic leaders in higher education institutions, 2 discipline leaders1 young key talent under Hunan Province’s “225” High-level Health Talent Program for Internal Medicine. In October 2022, renowned endocrinologist Professor Liao Eryuan, a recipient of the “National Renowned Physician” title, joined the hospital full-time as Chief Clinical Expert, providing fresh impetusstrong momentum to the high-quality development of the hospitalits endocrinology specialty.
In recent years, the department has adhered to the development philosophy of “specialized disciplines, skilled professionals, people-centered care,patient-first service,” continuously enhancing the Attending Physician Responsibility Systemthe development of clinical subspecialties. It currently offers general endocrinology clinics, expert clinics,subspecialty services for diabetes (including diabetic foot), bone metabolic diseases, thyroid disorders, pituitary-adrenal diseases,pediatric growthdevelopmental disorders.
The department established the first Minimally Invasive BariatricDiabetes Treatment Center in southern Hunan, as well as the province’s earliest outpatient clinics for bone metabolismpediatric growthdevelopment,a Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Clinic for pituitary-adrenal diseases. Each year, the department treats over 2,500 inpatientsreceives approximately 55,000 outpatient visits, with its medical services covering nearly 8 million people in Hunansurrounding provinces.
The department is equipped with advanced diagnostictreatment instruments, including a HOLOGIC dual-energy X-ray bone densitometer, a non-invasive arterial stiffness analyzer (PP-1000), a non-mydriatic fundus camera,an Intelligent Negative Pressure Wound Therapy System for diabetic foot care. Its Endocrinology Clinical Test Laboratory is capable of conducting more than 30 types of hormone assaysfunctional tests. Supported by a strong talent teamstate-of-the-art equipment, the department provides timelyprecise diagnosistreatment for a wide range of complexrare endocrine diseases.
The department places great emphasis on the integrated development of clinical care, teaching,research. Over the years, it has secured 23 National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) grantsmore than 30 projects at provincialministerial levels, including key projects under the Ministry of Education, Research Fund for Returnees from Overseas Study, Hunan Provincial Natural Science Foundation,Hunan Key R&D Program. To date, the department has trained 179 doctoralmaster’s candidates, published over 200 scientific papers—including more than 30 SCI-indexed articles in JCR Q1Q2 journals—and authoredco-authored 7 books. It has received 1 National Excellent Course Award, 3 Hunan ScienceTechnology Progress Awards, 1 Hunan Xu Teli Education Award,2 First Prizes for Teaching Achievement in Hunan Province. In addition, 5 doctoralmasters theses from the department have been recognized as Excellent Dissertations in Hunan Province.