Dr. Chen Shaozhou(1911~2004), Professor of Surgery, Former Director of the Department of Plastic Surgery, Renji Hospital

         Introduction

Throughout history, certain individuals stand out, dedicating their lives and talents to profoundly impact the world. He was such a physician, whose skill and compassion offered new hope to countless patients seeking to rebuild their lives.

In the early years of the People’s Republic of China, driven by a deep love for his homeland and a passion for medicine, he made the pivotal decision to return from abroad. He brought his expertise back to a nation poised for growth, dedicating himself entirely to building its fledgling healthcare system.

As a pioneer and leader in the field of plastic surgery, he approached each operation with an artist’s eye and a scientist’s precision. For him, surgery was more than a procedure; it was a way to restore not just appearance, but a person’s very sense of self. Every incision and suture was a testament to his meticulous pursuit of perfection.

His extraordinary medical skill healed bodies, but it was his profound empathy that restored spirits. In an era of limited resources and great challenges, his work gave patients back their confidence and their faith in the future, truly offering them a new lease on life.

His patriotism was the bedrock of his career. He firmly believed that his personal achievements were made possible by his country, and he in turn committed his life’s work to its service. By aligning his own aspirations with the nation’s development, he embodied the profound bond between an intellectual and his homeland. His career not only advanced the field of medicine in China but also left an indelible mark on its history, inspiring generations to come.

Early Life and Medical Journey

Chen Shaozhou was born in Shanghai on December 7, 1911, into a bustling household typical of the era. His father, an educated clerk, and his mother, a devoted homemaker, raised him alongside three brothers and a sister. The close-knit family environment fostered mutual support and lifelong learning. Chen later reflected in his memoirs:

“My family’s influence was profound from childhood. My parents’ guidance and my siblings’ companionship were indispensable to my growth.”

Chen attended Lisi Primary School (now Sichuan South Road Primary School) in Shanghai. Founded by French Catholic priest Louis Lisi, the school emphasized both academic rigor and moral character. Chen quickly distinguished himself as an exceptionally bright and curious student, earning the admiration of teachers and peers. Like many boys of his time, he found joy in simple hobbies—collecting cigarette cards and postcards—which not only enriched his childhood but also helped him form friendships. It was through this pastime that he met Zhang Chongren, who would become his lifelong friend.

After primary school, Chen enrolled at St. Francis Xavier’s College, a prestigious Jesuit-run boys’ school in Shanghai’s Hongkou District. Known for its striking French-style clock tower, the institution provided a rigorous education blending Chinese classical studies with modern subjects. Here, Chen excelled academically and developed a strong command of English, laying the groundwork for his future international studies. He graduated with distinction in June 1932.

To support himself financially, Chen worked part-time as an English teacher at Xujiahui High School (Collège Saint-Ignace) before securing admission to Aurora University’s elite preparatory program. By early 1933, he had embarked on his medical studies, driven by a vision to heal both bodies and spirits through compassionate care.

During his university years, Chen balanced academic excellence with practical experience. He spent summer breaks interning at an American-owned firm in Shanghai, gaining broader worldly exposure. In 1937, when Japan invaded China, Chen committed his medical skills to the war effort. He served in oral and maxillofacial surgery departments at Shanghai’s Guangci (now Ruijin Hospital), Cihui, and Ci’an Hospitals, treating wounded soldiers and civilians amid the chaos of war.

Following the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, Shanghai’s foreign concessions became unsafe. Refusing to cooperate with Japanese authorities, Chen relocated to Chongqing—China’s wartime capital—to continue his medical practice. After Japan’s defeat, he returned to Shanghai but soon sought advanced training abroad. In the late 1940s, he traveled to the United States to study plastic surgery under the renowned Dr. F. Smith at Columbia University.

Chen’s talent quickly earned him a position at New York’s Lenox Hill Hospital, a leading medical center. As the only physician of color on staff, he earned widespread respect through his skill and dedication. He later recalled:

“At Lenox Hill, I witnessed both life’s resilience and fragility, deepening my understanding of a doctor’s mission.”He further honed his expertise at Blodgett Memorial Hospital in Michigan, collaborating with top surgeons on cutting-edge facial reconstruction techniques. A subsequent observership in Philadelphia broadened his perspective on the field’s subspecialties.

Reflecting on his four years in America, Chen noted:

“I constantly learned and reflected. While American life was enlightening, it ultimately strengthened my own convictions.”

In 1948, he made the pivotal decision to return to China, determined to establish reconstructive surgery as a vital field. He explained his motivation:

“War inflicts trauma and deformity. People need not just survival, but wholeness—the dignity of a restored face and function. Reconstructive surgery offers a more practical beauty than art ever could.”

Chen returned home ready to bring hope and healing to a nation recovering from conflict, driven by a vision to advance medicine in a new era for China.

Pioneer of Reconstructive Medicine in China

In 1949, shortly after the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Dr. Chen Shaozhou returned to Shanghai. Recognizing that a nation rebuilding from war needed advanced medical care, he joined Aurora University as a Professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Plastic Surgery while also serving as Department Chair at Shanghai’s Guangci Hospital.

Chen quickly immersed himself in China’s medical community. He became an Executive Committee member of the newly formed Shanghai Medical Workers Association, leading its Dental Practice Group at both district and municipal levels. During this period, he focused on teaching and refining surgical techniques, laying groundwork for his future innovations.

In 1951, Chen launched a pioneering initiative: founding China’s first dedicated Department of Plastic Surgery at Renji Hospital (now part of Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine) and serving as its inaugural Director. This landmark establishment filled a critical gap in Chinese medicine, offering new hope to soldiers and civilians disfigured by war and accidents. Chen integrated advanced techniques learned at Columbia University with China’s specific needs, creating a localized approach to reconstructive care. As he often stated:

“Plastic surgery doesn’t just repair bodies—it rebuilds confidence and courage to live.”

During the Korean War (1950–1953), Chen volunteered for front-line medical teams to treat wounded Chinese soldiers. Though health issues ultimately prevented his deployment, he continued supporting the war effort through his work in Shanghai.

Over the next decade, Chen dedicated himself to advancing surgical techniques and training new specialists. His most transformative work focused on unilateral cleft lip repair—a complex procedure rarely performed in China at the time. Cleft lip, a congenital facial deformity, severely impacts eating, speech, and social integration. Chen’s meticulous approach involved:

- Comprehensive patient assessments

- Precise surgical planning under general anesthesia

- Advanced techniques to reconstruct lip structure and nasal alignment

- Post-operative care to restore function and appearance

His landmark paper, “Unilateral Cleft Lip Repair: A Preliminary Analysis of 116 Cases,” set new standards for the field. By performing hundreds of these surgeries, Chen dramatically improved success rates, enabling patients to regain normal speech, eating, and self-esteem. His innovations also addressed secondary issues like hearing loss caused by middle ear pressure imbalances.

A poignant example of his skill came in the early 1960s when Chen successfully operated on the son of his childhood friend, renowned artist Zhang Chongren. After years of careful observation, Chen performed the complex surgery just before the boy turned seven. Zhang’s gratitude was captured in an inscription:

“Dr. Chen healed my son’s cleft lip with extraordinary skill. Now his speech is clear, and his confidence restored. This profound kindness I will forever cherish.”

Chen further advanced reconstructive medicine by introducing pharyngeal flap grafting to China—a delicate technique using tissue from the throat’s back wall to repair oral or facial defects. This procedure, vital for restoring speech and swallowing in patients with cleft palates or trauma-related injuries, significantly improved quality of life.

Through his clinical innovations, research publications, and mentorship, Chen Shaozhou established the theoretical and practical foundations for modern plastic surgery in China. His work transformed countless lives while elevating his nation’s medical capabilities.

Persevering Through Adversity

During China’s Cultural Revolution (1966–1976), Dr. Chen Shaozhou faced significant professional challenges. Yet he refused to abandon his medical calling. Instead, he doubled down on clinical practice and research in plastic surgery at Shanghai’s Third People’s Hospital (affiliated with Shanghai Second Medical College). There, he continued his surgical mission, treating countless patients with exceptional skill.

Beyond his clinical work, Dr. Chen dedicated himself to mentoring the next generation. He trained successive cohorts of young surgeons, teaching not only advanced plastic surgery techniques but also instilling core medical ethics. Under his rigorous guidance, these students became vital contributors to China’s evolving medical landscape.

Throughout this period, Dr. Chen authored numerous academic papers and monographs that advanced the theoretical foundations of plastic surgery. His research elevated diagnostic standards and treatment protocols while driving technological innovation in the field.

Following the Cultural Revolution, Dr. Chen’s professional standing was fully restored. In 1982, he was reappointed Director of Plastic Surgery at Renji Hospital. In recognition of his lifelong contributions, he received the prestigious Special Allowance from China’s State Council – an honor acknowledging both his past achievements and future potential.

Dr. Chen passed away in 2004, leaving a profound void in China’s reconstructive medicine community. His life exemplified unwavering dedication to advancing plastic surgery in China. From early academic pursuits to becoming a field-leading authority, he earned widespread respect through his surgical mastery, ethical practice, and transformative educational legacy.

Editor: Chen Qing @ ShanghaiDoctor.cn, 

Note: Chinese Sources from “The Path of Benevolent Medicine” which was published in 2024. It records 90 important medical figures in the history of Renji Hospital. Yewen Renyi (ShanghaiDoctor.cn) team was one of the major writers of the book and is authorized by Renji hospital to create English version on the website of ShanghaiDoctor.cn