Huang Mingxin (1909–2001), Senior Professor of Internal Medicine and Former President of Renji Hospital

Introduction

Dr. Huang Mingxin was the founding director of the Department of Cardiology at Renji Hospital and played a key role in China’s first mitral valve separation surgery.

Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, he returned to China during a time of great upheaval and devoted his life to advancing medical care in the newly emerging nation.

Though trained abroad, his heart was always with his homeland. Even in the darkest times, he held fast to the belief that faith gives rise to hope—and with hope, every Chinese citizen could work toward a healthier, brighter future.

Forged by Purpose: The Early Years of Dr. Huang

Dr. Huang Mingxin was born in 1909 in Honolulu, Hawaii. At the age of seven, he returned to China with his father and settled in Shanghai, where a new chapter of his life began.

From an early age, he demonstrated exceptional intelligence and academic promise while studying at Changshi Middle School in Shanghai. Yet despite his talents, he could not escape the discrimination and mockery aimed at Chinese people in colonial-era Shanghai. These early encounters with prejudice left a lasting impression on him and planted the seeds of his lifelong commitment to medicine.

Determined to prove the strength and dignity of the Chinese people through his own efforts, he chose to pursue a medical career. After high school, he was admitted to the School of Medicine at Saint John’s University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in 1931 and a Doctor of Medicine in 1934. Upon graduation, he began working as a resident physician in internal medicine at Tongren Hospital in Shanghai.

Shortly afterward, his path led him back to the United States.

In 1936, Dr. Huang traveled to the University of Pennsylvania for advanced training and research. During his time there, he published three papers in American medical journals and earned a Doctor of Science degree. His mentors in the U.S. urged him to remain and pursue a long-term academic career

But history had other plans.

With the outbreak of the Second Sino-Japanese War, Dr. Huang felt a deep sense of duty to his homeland. As China came under siege, he knew he could not stand by in comfort while his people suffered. In 1939, he made the resolute decision to return to China, determined to use his skills in service of the nation.

Back home, he joined the war effort without hesitation, risking his life on the frontlines to treat wounded soldiers. His bravery and compassion embodied the spirit of a new generation of Chinese doctors, inspiring countless others.

He was soon appointed full professor and head of internal medicine at the affiliated hospital of Saint John’s University. But as tensions between the U.S. and Japan escalated, most American faculty members were forced to leave, plunging the medical school into crisis. Resources were scarce, and teaching conditions deteriorated rapidly.

In the face of adversity, Dr. Huang never wavered.

He took on the teaching duties left behind by departing colleagues, stepping in wherever needed. Over time, he taught internal medicine, clinical diagnostics, bacteriology and immunology, parasitology, and more—often staying up late into the night to prepare lectures. For him, teaching wasn’t just about transmitting knowledge—it was about instilling responsibility, purpose, and a passion for healing in future generations.

Then, in 1941, the Pacific War broke out. Japanese forces occupied Shanghai’s foreign concessions, seizing control of the university and halting all classes. With the school at risk of permanent closure and over a hundred students left in limbo, Dr. Huang once again rose to the challenge.

Appointed acting dean, he secured a new location and founded a teaching hospital to keep education going. Amid wartime shortages and danger, he not only raised funds from the public but also used his own savings to support the institution. Throughout this period, he refused any salary or compensation, driven purely by selfless dedication to medical education.

Thanks to the tireless efforts of Dr. Huang and his colleagues, the medical school survived the war years. Looking back, Dr. Huang often described that time as the hardest, yet most rewarding, period of his life. Through it all, he lived out his belief in the healing power of medicine—and the transformative power of education.

Service, Sacrifice, and the Making of Mentors

Following the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Dr. Huang Mingxin continued his work with unwavering commitment and renewed purpose.

In December 1951, he volunteered to join China’s medical support team during the Korean War and was appointed its leader. On the battlefield, he made exceptional contributions by skillfully treating wounded soldiers, often working under extreme pressure and in challenging conditions. While many stories of wartime heroism emerged from that era, Dr. Huang remained a quiet presence behind the scenes—the physician who protected and preserved the lives of those heroes.

In 1952, the Saint John’s University School of Medicine merged with Aurora and Tongde Medical Colleges to form the Second Medical College of Shanghai. Dr. Huang was appointed full professor of internal medicine and head of the Second Division of the Department of Medicine. He threw himself into clinical work and embodied the discipline, ethics, and humility of a model physician.

In 1953, Dr. Huang began supervising graduate students, devoting himself to cultivating China’s next generation of medical talent. Although his teaching was interrupted during the Cultural Revolution, he remained in active clinical service and was frequently called upon to treat senior government leaders in Beijing. Once the political turmoil subsided, he immediately resumed his academic responsibilities. Even well into his seventies, he continued mentoring young scholars—personally guiding two students to complete their doctoral degrees.

Thanks to his rigorous standards and tireless mentorship, many of Dr. Huang’s students rose to become leaders in medicine, both in China and abroad. Among them were internationally renowned scholars such as Professors Guo Beide, Shen Zengyong, Tao Lingyuan, and Zheng Zonge in the United States, as well as prominent Chinese physicians and educators including Zhou Xiaoda, Zhou Lian, He Yongzhao, Wang Yishan, Jiang Shaoji, Lu Zhengwei, Chen Shunle, and Huang Dingjiu.

Dr. Huang also served in several distinguished national academic roles. He was a member of the Academic Division of Medical Sciences, a committee member for the national academic degree evaluation body, and deputy director of the editorial board for medical textbooks—positions that reflected his standing as a highly respected figure in China’s medical community.

Widely regarded as a master of internal medicine, Dr. Huang was particularly adept at diagnosing and treating complex conditions. His deep medical knowledge saved countless lives and restored health to many. The honors he received and the legacy he left behind are lasting testaments to his extraordinary contributions to medicine and society.

In 1982, as China reopened to the world, the University of Missouri School of Medicine recognized Dr. Huang’s lifelong service to medicine by naming him an Honorary Professor—an international tribute to his enduring impact on medical education and practice in China.

Breaking Ground in Cardiovascular Innovation

From the earliest days of his academic career at Saint John’s University, Dr. Huang Mingxin dedicated himself to the study and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. After the founding of the Second Medical College of Shanghai, he worked closely with a new generation of physicians to advance the field. He firmly believed that effective cardiac care required seamless collaboration between internal medicine and surgery in order to deliver comprehensive, integrated treatment.

Dr. Huang championed the fusion of theoretical knowledge with clinical application, while also emphasizing teamwork and open scientific exchange. His commitment to collaboration fostered a spirit of innovation that energized his colleagues and propelled the field of cardiovascular medicine forward.

One of Dr. Huang’s most groundbreaking contributions was in the treatment of rheumatic mitral stenosis—a common complication of rheumatic heart disease caused by progressive narrowing of the mitral valve. This condition restricts blood flow between the left atrium and left ventricle, impairing heart function and circulation. In advanced cases, patients may experience symptoms such as chest pain and shortness of breath. Dr. Huang was among the first in China to recognize the strong link between β-hemolytic streptococcal infections and the onset of rheumatic heart disease.

He understood that rheumatic fever is often triggered by a streptococcal infection, which provokes an autoimmune response. The immune system produces antistreptolysin O (ASO) antibodies, and immune complexes can deposit on heart valves, leading to inflammation and long-term damage.

In 1954, when Professor Lan Xichun proposed performing mitral valve commissurotomy for patients with severe stenosis, Dr. Huang identified many candidates under his care who met the surgical criteria. The two collaborated to perform China’s first successful mitral valve commissurotomy that same year—an achievement that marked a new chapter in Chinese cardiac surgery.

Dr. Huang’s pioneering work in rheumatic heart disease extended far beyond the operating room. As early as 1952, he had begun researching β-hemolytic streptococci. In 1953, he developed a method for measuring ASO titers that drew significant attention from the global medical community.

This diagnostic method involved preparing streptolysin O antigens and applying them in indirect immunofluorescence or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) to detect ASO antibodies in patient serum. When exposed to the antigens and treated with specific reagents, the patient’s immune response could be observed through fluorescence or enzymatic activity—providing a reliable indicator of streptococcal infection and associated immune activity. This method soon became widely adopted for diagnosing rheumatic fever, streptococcal infections, and glomerulonephritis, and it served as an important clinical tool for evaluating immune function.

In 1955, Dr. Huang was selected to join China’s first medical delegation to Eastern Europe and presented his paper, “The Preparation and Clinical Application of Antistreptolysin O,” at the General Assembly of the World Science Congress hosted by the Romanian Academy of Sciences. His research received broad recognition and sparked great interest among international scientists.

In China, Dr. Huang was equally renowned for his clinical expertise in diagnosing complex cardiovascular conditions. His deep theoretical knowledge, combined with years of clinical experience, led to continued refinement of diagnostic and treatment strategies in cardiology.

To further the development of cardiovascular sub-specialties, Dr. Huang encouraged and supported Professor Yu Guorui’s research into vectorcardiography and apexcardiography—fields that saw remarkable progress under his guidance. He also played a central role in establishing the Department of Cardiology at Renji Hospital. In the early 1960s, he sent Dr. Zheng Daosheng to assist the Shanghai Chest Hospital in founding its own cardiology department. Dr. Zheng would later earn the nickname “divine ear” for his extraordinary auscultation skills.

Thanks to Dr. Huang’s vision and leadership, Renji Hospital’s internal medicine division emerged as a national center of excellence in cardiology—a legacy that continues to shape the field to this day.

Defeating a National Scourge: The Fight Against Schistosomiasis

Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease caused by infection with blood flukes (schistosomes), endemic to tropical and subtropical regions. Once infected, individuals may suffer damage to multiple organs, including the liver, intestines, and urinary system. In severe cases, complications such as liver cirrhosis or even blindness can occur.

In the early years of the People’s Republic of China, nearly 200 million people were at risk of schistosomiasis. In response to this urgent public health threat, the National Committee for Schistosomiasis Research was established in 1953, with Dr. Huang Mingxin appointed as Vice Chair and Head of the Clinical Group. He committed himself fully to the clinical diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

For the next 15 years, Dr. Huang spent at least one month each year conducting fieldwork in endemic regions across China. He visited affected areas, delivered lectures, offered consultations, and provided hands-on training to local medical staff. His work earned broad recognition within China and drew the attention of the international medical community.

Dr. Huang was the first physician to identify and document dwarfism caused by chronic schistosomiasis. He explored the use of antimonial compounds to treat this condition and discovered that, when combined with basic nutritional support, these treatments led to remarkable improvements. After just one year, affected children showed measurable growth; after three years, many had reached heights and weights comparable to their healthy peers. This breakthrough opened a new therapeutic pathway for patients suffering from long-term effects of the disease.

In Shanghai’s surrounding districts—including Songjiang, Fengxian, Qingpu, and Jiading—over one hundred patients with schistosomiasis-induced dwarfism responded positively to this approach. Their successful recoveries were widely reported in the media at the time.

In 1958, responding to the national call to "eliminate schistosomiasis within three years," Dr. Huang traveled extensively through rural provinces including Anhui, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hubei, Guangxi, Sichuan, and Yunnan. He conducted on-site investigations and offered practical solutions to help local health teams combat the epidemic.

One of the greatest challenges at the time was the widespread fear of antimonial treatments, which carried a high risk of severe cardiotoxic reactions known as As syndrome. These reactions were often fatal, leading many patients to refuse treatment.

Dr. Huang led pioneering research into the neurological mechanisms of As syndrome and, drawing on both domestic and international studies, proposed the use of atropine to counteract the adverse effects. His approach reduced the mortality rate from nearly 80% to just 10%, dramatically increasing patient willingness to receive treatment. This breakthrough laid the groundwork for the now-standard "three-day outpatient therapy," saving thousands of lives and propelling China’s anti-schistosomiasis efforts forward.

Even after the introduction of safer oral treatments like praziquantel, Dr. Huang continued his research—this time focusing on complications such as schistosomiasis-induced liver cirrhosis. Through years of experimentation, he developed a method using polyethylene glycol (PEG) and secophene tubing to treat massive ascites. By concentrating ascitic fluid and reinfusing it intravenously, he achieved excellent therapeutic outcomes. Professor Xiao Shudong later built a dedicated device based on this technique, making it suitable for use in rural and home-care settings.

In 1982, this PEG-secophene method earned Dr. Huang the Second Prize for Major Scientific and Technological Achievements from China’s Ministry of Health. The innovation was praised by medical experts from over ten countries.

Dr. Huang was also among the first in China to apply lecithin–cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) testing to differentiate between advanced schistosomiasis and other chronic liver diseases. His findings were highlighted in a bulletin by the World Health Organization’s Department of Tropical Diseases, contributing to global understanding of parasitic liver disorders.

Even in his seventies, Dr. Huang remained deeply engaged in research and innovation. At age 77, he was named a National Model Health Worker in 1985 and honored as an Outstanding Worker by the City of Shanghai.

Thanks to the efforts of pioneers like Dr. Huang, China has made tremendous strides in reducing the prevalence of schistosomiasis through a comprehensive strategy of drug administration, snail eradication, environmental intervention, and immunological research. The progress achieved in public health would not have been possible without the tireless dedication and scientific leadership of individuals like him.

Lifelong Learning at the Patient’s Bedside

Beyond his many medical achievements, Dr. Huang Mingxin left a profound legacy through his unwavering discipline, intellectual rigor, and tireless pursuit of innovation. He firmly believed that ward rounds were not just routine practice, but the very foundation of clinical medicine—a process essential for reinforcing medical knowledge, refining diagnostic reasoning, and deepening the physician’s connection to patient care.

Remarkably, Dr. Huang continued participating in weekly ward rounds well into his eighties, making regular visits across the cardiology, gastroenterology, nephrology, and hematology departments. He consistently stressed the importance of rational drug use and the integration of traditional Chinese and Western medicine. In his view, revisiting and re-evaluating long-established medications under new scientific frameworks could unlock hidden potential and drive meaningful clinical progress.

Always at the forefront of medical inquiry, Dr. Huang also pursued experimental research into the pharmacological mechanisms of novel treatments. In animal studies, he discovered that lecithin-based liposomes could serve as effective carriers to deliver energy molecules—such as adenosine triphosphate (ATP)—to ischemic or poorly perfused cells and tissues. He hypothesized that these ATP-encapsulated microspheres could pass through obstructed blood vessels to nourish infarcted myocardial tissue and prevent acute necrosis. He further envisioned that this mechanism might one day be used in the treatment of acute conditions such as adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Dr. Huang’s intellectual curiosity spanned a broad spectrum of disciplines. Of the more than 100 scientific papers he authored, many showcased forward-thinking research that reached far beyond cardiovascular science. His work made notable contributions in fields such as integrative medicine, schistosomiasis prevention and treatment, metabolic and endocrine disorders, clinical immunology, rheumatology, geriatric care, and hospital management.

In 1980, upon the recommendation of leading figures in Chinese medicine and under the leadership of then-Minister of Health Qian Xinzhong, Dr. Huang was appointed chief editor of a major national medical reference work. The result was Theories and Practices in Internal Medicine—a six-million-character compendium that synthesized decades of clinical insight. During its compilation, Dr. Huang emphasized that medical knowledge must never become an “empty blossom”—it must be rooted in real-world practice and sustained through continuous innovation and fearless exploration.

The Art Within the Healer

Beyond the world of medicine, Dr. Huang Mingxin revealed a deeply creative spirit. He was a skilled violinist, an avid oil painter, a devoted admirer of Chinese seal carving and epigraphy, and a master craftsman known for his exquisitely carved seals.

For Dr. Huang, art was far more than a hobby—it was a profound expression of life. He believed that human thought and emotion required meaningful outlets, and that artistic creation was one of the most powerful forms of release. Whether through music, painting, or calligraphy, art provided a space of reflection and renewal—where the mind could transcend daily burdens and reconnect with beauty, meaning, and wisdom.

He also saw a deep connection between art and science. In his view, the two were not separate realms but mutually enriching pursuits. Art, he believed, could awaken a physician’s imagination, ignite curiosity, and inspire fresh perspectives that drive scientific discovery and medical innovation.

Dr. Huang Mingxin passed away in 2001 at the age of 93. Over the course of nearly seven decades, he served his country with quiet dedication—working tirelessly to advance public health and mentor generations of Chinese medical professionals.

With the soul of a poet and the hands of a healer, Dr. Huang brought vitality, creativity, and vision to every aspect of his life. He embodied the rare harmony between science and art, reason and emotion—a legacy that continues to inspire all who follow in his footsteps.

Editor: 

Chen Qing @ ShanghaiDoctor.cn

Li Yijing (An intern from Ohio State University)