Sun Tongnian (1908-1995) was an internal medicine physician, professor, and the former director of the Pulmonary Department at Renji Hospital.

Introduction:
At the dawn of New China, Dr. Sun Tongnian stood as a dedicated physician holding a doctorate, embodying the principle of serving the people with profound compassion. His life serves as an enduring inspiration, guiding future generations in medicine. He passionately collected X-ray films of challenging medical cases from across the globe, studying them meticulously and mentoring young doctors. This relentless dedication significantly advanced China’s fight against tuberculosis. His lifelong struggle against this disease was driven by a vision to liberate the Chinese people from the suffering of the old era and usher in the promise of the new.

The Path to Medicine:
Born in 1908, Sun Tongnian displayed remarkable intelligence and a thirst for knowledge from childhood. His ambition to become a doctor led him, after excelling in middle school, to the prestigious Private Liaoning Medical College (formerly the Private Fengtian Medical University), where he embarked on his medical studies.

Founded in 1912, Fengtian Medical University was the pinnacle of medical education in Northeast China. Its excellence stemmed from a collaboration between Chinese and British experts, ensuring top-tier instruction. Upon entering the university, students encountered the golden, embossed motto, “To Serve Mankind.” The campus boasted advanced facilities like physics laboratories, specimen rooms, anatomy rooms, and display areas, with a spacious basement housing extensive human anatomy and specimen collections. Students here had a distinct advantage: unique ties to Shengjing Hospital provided unparalleled clinical practice opportunities. This integration of theory and practice positioned the university’s graduates at the forefront of Chinese medical training.

Within this demanding environment, Sun Tongnian thrived. After graduation, he underwent a rigorous selection process and joined the Pulmonary Department of the university’s affiliated hospital, the British-established Fengtian Medical University (now Shengjing Hospital). It was here he honed his skills, evolving into an exceptional clinical physician.

His growing reputation led to an invitation at the Peking Union Medical Research Institute. As a physician in the Pulmonary Department, he applied cutting-edge knowledge and technologies in respiratory diseases. Renowned for his patience and meticulous attention to detail, he earned deep respect from both patients and colleagues through his dedicated clinical work.

Sun Tongnian subsequently joined the National Shanghai Medical College as an X-ray physician. In this role, he merged his medical expertise with the most advanced X-ray technology available, pioneering sophisticated diagnostic techniques for greater precision. This foundational work proved crucial for his future contributions to tuberculosis prevention and treatment.

His exceptional abilities led to appointments as a physician in the Pulmonary Tuberculosis Department of the Shanghai Red Cross First Hospital and later as director of the Pulmonary Tuberculosis Department at the American Church Lushan Sanatorium. His outstanding medical skills and significant achievements earned him widespread professional acclaim, establishing him as a role model for aspiring doctors.

Soon after, Sun Tongnian took leadership of the Pulmonary Tuberculosis Department at Shanghai Nanyang Hospital. Tuberculosis posed a formidable health crisis in China then, leaving countless patients without effective care. At Nanyang, Sun Tongnian managed the hospital’s most demanding workload, consistently demonstrating unwavering professional ethics and meticulous attention to every patient. His first-rate medical skills and profound knowledge not only brought healing but also earned him immense gratitude and deep respect from those he treated.

Beyond his clinical practice, Sun Tongnian was deeply committed to education. He generously shared his extensive knowledge and experience with medical students dedicated to public service. Serving as a part-time professor at Tongde Medical College, he taught tuberculosis prevention and treatment theory while guiding students through practical applications. His teaching extended beyond technical skills; he actively cultivated students’ practical abilities and instilled a strong sense of professional ethics and responsibility. Under his mentorship, numerous medical students made significant strides and innovations in the fight against tuberculosis.

During a period of national struggle, Sun Tongnian also contributed to China’s quest for independence. Leveraging his position, he facilitated crucial support. His classmate, Major General Gong Naiquan, Minister of Health for the East China Field Army, utilized Sun Tongnian’s Shanghai clinic to procure vital military medical supplies for the New Fourth Army and the People’s Liberation Army. Furthermore, Sun Tongnian provided tangible assistance to underground party members by renting his own house to them as a base for their operations. In those turbulent times, he steadfastly supported the cause of national liberation through his actions and resources.

In the later years of the Republic of China, facing challenging circumstances, Sun Tongnian established a private clinic focused on diagnosing and treating respiratory diseases. Despite the era’s limited medical resources, countless patients sought his expertise. Overwhelmed by demand, he remained steadfast in his ethical commitment, providing meticulous care to each individual. His exceptional skill and deep knowledge not only cured ailments but also fostered profound admiration and affection among his patients.

Answering the Nation’s Call: Dedication to Modern Medicine

Beginning in the 1940s, Sun Tongnian published pioneering articles on artificial pneumothorax, an advanced treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis at the time. His work significantly advanced the development of tuberculosis care within China. In May 1949, he edited the comprehensive book “Tuberculosis,” systematically documenting contemporary diagnostic and treatment methods, cementing his reputation as a leading authority in the field.

Following the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, Sun Tongnian broke new ground by publishing the first Chinese study on bronchial radiography morphology in pulmonary tuberculosis, offering fresh perspectives for diagnosing and treating lung diseases. He subsequently authored a series of influential research papers on pulmonary conditions and X-ray diagnosis, including studies on staphylococcal pneumonia and the mechanisms of pneumatocele formation in tuberculosis. These publications held substantial clinical and academic value, driving significant progress in pulmonary medicine during this era. His rigorous research and innovative treatment approaches provided vital solutions for complex diseases, establishing him as a prominent expert within the national medical community.

In late 1954, responding to a national directive, Sun Tongnian made the difficult decision to close his highly successful private clinic. This sacrifice, prioritizing the nation’s health needs over personal acclaim, demonstrated his profound commitment to public service. Embracing the national policy to integrate traditional Chinese and Western medicine, he dedicated himself fully to advancing the country’s medical research and education, believing the people’s health surpassed individual recognition.

Immersing himself in this new mission, Sun Tongnian embarked on a productive journey of scientific discovery and educational leadership. He tirelessly explored advanced treatments and technologies, contributing valuable insights to clinical practice and medical training. As pulmonary tuberculosis and other lung diseases became critical public health concerns between 1954 and 1956, Sun Tongnian, serving as Director of the Pulmonary Department at Renji Hospital, played a pivotal role. He enhanced the diagnosis and treatment of pneumonia, tuberculosis, and asthma while significantly elevating the professional standards of the hospital’s medical staff, leading to marked improvements in patient care and institutional management.

During this period, Sun Tongnian established specialized weekly clinics focusing on artificial pneumothorax and pneumoperitoneum techniques, pioneering their use for tuberculosis treatment in China. He also actively treated respiratory failure and emphysema. In 1956, he was invited to join the core leadership of the Internal Medicine Department at Guangci Hospital, tasked with establishing a dedicated respiratory ward. Taking on the role of Ward Director and head of internal medicine teaching and research, he leveraged his extensive clinical experience to implement effective treatment protocols for lung diseases.

The responsibilities of diagnosing and treating complex respiratory conditions were immense, demanding broad expertise. Sun Tongnian’s exceptional performance in pulmonology made him indispensable to the hospital’s operations. By 1957, the respiratory ward had evolved into a fully independent Pulmonary Department, complete with its own inpatient facilities, outpatient services, emergency room, and specialized units for pulmonary function, bacteriology, and radiology—including a mobile tuberculosis photography vehicle. This autonomy allowed pulmonary specialists to perform their own chest X-rays, bronchial angiography, tomography, and catheter therapies.

Following a hospital reorganization in 1957, Sun Tongnian was appointed Director of the Radiology Department. Drawing on his vast experience and deep medical knowledge, he set high standards for diagnostic accuracy, treatment, and research within the department. He also developed distinctive methods for mentoring and training young radiologists. Starting in 1959, Sun Tongnian collaborated with Professors Song Xiangming (Thoracic Surgery), Chen Zhirang (Pathology), and Wang Yishan (Thoracic Surgery) from Renji Hospital to establish weekly multidisciplinary case review meetings. This initiative laid crucial groundwork for the future development of integrated team-based patient care.

Sun Tongnian personally guided the department’s trainees and interns daily in reviewing X-rays and writing diagnostic reports, placing special emphasis on analyzing rare and challenging chest images. These valuable radiographs were systematically archived for future teaching and research. At the time, chest X-rays constituted over a quarter of the hospital’s daily radiographic volume—approximately 200 films per day—highlighting the overwhelming burden of pulmonary disease. This extensive collection of meticulously classified imaging data provided a robust foundation for refining tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment methodologies.

A Pioneer in Pulmonary Medicine and Radiology

Dr. Sun Tongnian distinguished himself as both a highly skilled pulmonologist and a dedicated expert in radiological imaging. His profound passion for interpreting X-rays defined his entire medical career.

Throughout the World War II era and the post-war period, Dr. Sun maintained a private practice while also teaching at Tongde Medical College. He equipped his home clinic with three X-ray machines and six different cameras, establishing a personal darkroom where he meticulously developed and studied films. Driven by a commitment to advancing knowledge, he actively sought out rare and complex chest X-rays from radiology, pulmonary, and surgical departments. He systematically documented the radiological signs of uncommon conditions in Shanghai, such as echinococcosis. To broaden his collection, he collaborated with physicians visiting from distant regions like Xinjiang and Ningxia, acquiring their X-ray films. For fifty years, he tirelessly compiled these images into comprehensive teaching slides.

In 1984, Dr. Sun traveled to the United States to study respiratory diseases and share his expertise. This opportunity exposed him to cutting-edge medical technologies and educational approaches. Recognizing the potential benefit for China’s medical community, he entrusted his assistant with managing his teaching and research responsibilities during his absence. While abroad, Dr. Sun personally acquired over a thousand teaching slides. This collection encompassed a wide spectrum of common respiratory diseases and included advanced imaging techniques like chest CT scans and the application of respiratory monitoring equipment. He funded this acquisition with his own savings, intending these resources to significantly enhance the training of his students and colleagues.

Dr. Sun’s unwavering dedication stemmed from a deep love for medicine, particularly pulmonology, and a profound sense of responsibility towards his patients’ well-being. He believed radiological diagnosis was fundamental to identifying and treating many diseases, especially pulmonary conditions. He scrutinized every detail of each chest X-ray with meticulous care. His extensive archive of rare and challenging cases enabled him to overcome numerous scientific hurdles, providing crucial references that advanced the prevention and treatment of pulmonary diseases.

A true scholar, Dr. Sun was also an avid reader with an encyclopedic knowledge of pulmonology and radiology. When mentoring students, he would recommend seminal works like Regler’s “Manual of Chest X-ray Diagnosis,” valuing its concise and precise case interpretations as foundational learning tools. To ensure his students had the best resources and to fuel his own continuous learning, Dr. Sun diligently studied domestic and international journals in pulmonology, internal medicine, and radiology. He subscribed to original foreign-language monographs on clinical pulmonology and radiology, going to great lengths to obtain essential texts like Fishman’s “Pulmonology” and bring them back to China for the benefit of his students and the medical community.

        A Lifelong Dedication to Medicine and Mentorship

Dr. Sun Tongnian viewed teaching as a profound responsibility, establishing weekly X-ray review sessions that brought together medical trainees and experienced practitioners alike. His purpose was clear: to accelerate the professional growth of younger doctors through shared knowledge. He personally guided trainees in interpreting radiographs, offering hands-on experience and academic guidance. These collaborative sessions fostered deep discussions between Dr. Sun and junior colleagues, emphasizing the practical integration of pulmonary medicine theory with clinical care. His commitment to respiratory research extended beyond gathering chest X-rays; he systematically investigated pulmonary diseases, establishing foundational knowledge that would guide future generations of researchers.

 During the 1970s, Dr. Sun taught at a prominent national medical university while also leading specialized respiratory disease courses at the request of national health authorities. These intensive programs admitted just twenty physicians annually from across the country. Dr. Sun personally delivered every lecture, sharing decades of accumulated wisdom. Participants consistently noted his exceptional expertise and patient approach, finding each session deeply impactful.

 Even into his eighties during the 1990s, Dr. Sun’s passion for education remained undiminished. He continued to lead the weekly X-ray reviews, where former trainees—now accomplished specialists themselves—gathered with renewed appreciation for his mentorship, listening with profound respect.

 Throughout his fifty-year career, Dr. Sun masterfully integrated pulmonary clinical practice with radiological diagnosis, blending hands-on medicine with theoretical understanding. His diagnostic acumen was remarkable; when confronting complex cases, he swiftly identified underlying conditions and developed precise treatment protocols. He meticulously documented his experiences and insights, earning widespread trust from both patients and peers.

 Dr. Sun authored pioneering research papers that significantly advanced the diagnosis and treatment of chest diseases. His persistent efforts expanded medical understanding of respiratory conditions and accelerated progress in diagnostic imaging techniques.

 In early October 1995, Dr. Sun was hospitalized with a lung infection. Even in his final days, he maintained his characteristic warmth, inquiring about the welfare of visiting colleagues and students. On October 15th, he experienced sudden cardiac complications and passed away peacefully at age 87.

 His unexpected passing deeply saddened the medical community he had nurtured. The countless physicians he trained became his enduring legacy. Pulmonary imaging medicine in China continued to flourish, carrying forward his innovative spirit and compassionate approach—a testament to a lifetime of healing and teaching.

 Dr. Sun Tongnian’s career embodied an unwavering commitment to medical excellence, education, and patient welfare. His contributions continue to inspire healthcare professionals, ensuring his pioneering work in pulmonary medicine and medical education remains a cherished part of medical history.