Di Wen, a second-level professor in Obstetrics and Gynecology, serves as the Director of the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Gynecologic Oncology and formerly held the position of Vice President at Renji Hospital

Introduction
   If harvests are the fruit, then the land is the root. Just as fertile soil nurtures life, a strong foundation enables greatness. The Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at Renji Hospital has a rich heritage and a proud tradition. Through generations of dedication, the department has achieved miracle after miracle.

   He is a physician who blends medical expertise with genuine human care. He not only treats diseases but also focuses on his patients' psychological well-being, emotional needs, and quality of life. By combining medical science with human values, he delivers exceptional care. He believes that love is the foundation of healing, the start of a strong doctor-patient relationship, and the heart of compassionate medicine.

   In his view, life is a continuous healing process—we get wounded, we heal, we get wounded again, and we heal once more. With each recovery, patients thank their doctors, and doctors, in turn, cherish the trust their patients place in them and feel grateful for their patients. While life rushes by like a swift wind in the river of time, healing diseases and renewing life remain eternal in the annals of history.

The Path to Medicine

   Di Wen’s journey into medicine began by chance, but once he stepped onto this path, he never looked back.

   In the post-Cultural Revolution era, university admission was a rare achievement. Di Wen didn’t hesitate long when choosing his major.

   “At that time, I applied to top institutions like Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Medical College, and Peking University. Back then, majors like math, physics, chemistry, and computer science were especially popular. My scores qualified me for Peking University, and they asked if I’d switch majors for early admission. But I didn’t like the proposed major, so I turned down the spot.”

   In that era, medicine was valued more for its stability than prestige. Then came an unexpected twist: Di Wen received an acceptance letter from his backup choice, Shanghai First Medical College (now part of Fudan University), launching his medical career.

   After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Shanghai First Medical College became a powerhouse in Chinese medicine, known for rigorous academics, groundbreaking research, and global partnerships. Its reputation and influence were unmatched, with famously high standards.

   “Admission scores for Shanghai First Medical College were extremely competitive. I felt truly fortunate to get in—it built the bedrock of my medical career.”

   Once enrolled, Di Wen studied diligently, threw himself into clinical work, and honed his skills. Yet he craved more depth and decided to pursue graduate studies.

   “Initially, I picked cell biology, aiming for research—a highly respected field then.”

   But graduate admissions were fiercely competitive. Di Wen aced the exams but faced a dilemma: the department head revealed only one spot was open. Recalling that the obstetrics and gynecology entrance exam mirrored cell biology’s content, he pivoted.

   “An unexpected twist led me to Professor Guo Quanqing. That year, Shanghai Medical College’s mentor took just two students; I ranked third and was transferred to Professor Guo at Shanghai Second Medical College (now Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine). When Professor Jiang Wende, head of pharmacology at Shanghai Medical College, heard I’d joined Professor Guo, he told me: ‘Professor Guo masters both Chinese and Western medicine. Many of our professors revere his knowledge and character.’ He added that Renji Hospital’s OB/GYN department excelled in patient care, teaching, and research—and that his classmate, Professor Wu Yufen, led it. So I was thrilled to start my master’s at Shanghai Second Medical College. Though it wasn’t my original plan, I knew graduate studies would push me further. I trusted this path would bring greater purpose and success.”

   Di Wen believes that whether chasing passions or navigating setbacks, sometimes serendipity makes the best path.

Early Days at Renji Hospital: A Mentor’s Lasting Influence
    Di Wen, then a resident, often joked he was a true “hospital resident”—living on-site and treating the facility as his home. The hospital cultivated a collaborative culture where senior physicians mentored junior colleagues with both professional rigor and personal support.

   “Our dynamic was distinctive—blending close mentorship with high standards. This ethos of mutual respect between seasoned and emerging physicians has long defined our department.”

   Here, Di Wen met mentors who profoundly shaped his career, including Professors Guo Quanqing, Pan Jiaxiang, Yan Junhong, Wu Yufen, Hong Suying, and Lin Qide.

   “My master’s advisor was Professor Guo Quanqing, a leading authority in obstetrics and gynecology, and Professor Pan Jiaxiang also provided invaluable guidance. Later, as Professors Guo and Pan’s health declined, much of my research and projects advanced under the direction of Professors Yan Junhong, Wu Yufen, Hong Suying, and Chen Shunle.”

   Di Wen recalled that in the 1980s, Professor Hong was already deeply focused on diagnosing and treating pregnancy complicated by internal and surgical diseases, particularly heart disease and autoimmune disorders.

   “I first met Professor Hong Suying—she reminded me of Dr. Lin Qiaozhi. She was similarly slender, equally skilled in medicine, and just as resolute and decisive. In short, she embodied clinical excellence: insisting on precision during training while showing compassion for patients and courtesy toward their families. She often said obstetricians and gynecologists couldn’t rely solely on lab reports; they had to observe patients carefully at the bedside and conduct thorough physical exams. As head of the obstetrics department, Professor Hong held us to exacting standards. During labor room observations, after each resident performed a rectal exam, she would personally re-examine the patient, demonstrating whether our assessments were accurate and pointing out any shortcomings. For the medical histories we wrote, she’d meticulously edit them in red ink—even specifying the word count for the chief complaint to ensure brevity and clarity. We frequently rewrote histories covered in her corrections. What amazed me was the immense energy and dedication packed into her petite frame. Her expertise inspired both admiration and a drive to meet her standards. While patient and kind during hands-on teaching, she spared no criticism if a resident made a medical error. If we used vague terms like ‘approximately’ or ‘estimated’ during shift handovers, she’d sternly reprimand us: ‘Use a measuring cup!’”

   In the late 1980s, while pursuing his doctorate, Di Wen encountered many patients with pregnancy complicated by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). At the time, experts in China and abroad considered the disease incurable, with over 90% of patients being women of childbearing age. Most physicians believed pregnancy would exacerbate SLE, advising against conception and causing significant physical and emotional harm. Di Wen focused his research on pregnancy complicated by SLE—a venture into uncharted territory that many viewed with skepticism or outright opposition. Professor Hong, however, strongly supported his bold idea. Since the research involved both basic and clinical SLE studies, she introduced Di Wen to renowned rheumatologist Professor Chen Shunle, whom he had long admired.

   “It was a great honor for a young doctor to collaborate with such an academic giant. Under the joint guidance of my doctoral advisors—Professors Pan Jiaxiang, Yan Junhong, Hong Suying, and Chen Shunle—we tackled the global challenge of SLE-complicated pregnancies, overturning the medical consensus that SLE patients must avoid pregnancy for life and bringing hope to countless patients. Simultaneously, I completed my doctoral dissertation, with findings earning the Shanghai Youth Science and Technology Expo Bronze Award and National Obstetrics and Gynecology Youth Paper Second Prize. Peer reviews confirmed their international significance.”

   “This was a clinical project with extreme difficulty,” Di Wen recalled. “Many aspects required integration with clinical practice, demanding responsibility toward patients and rigorous research methodology.”

   The results of this research—conducted by Renji Hospital’s obstetrics and gynecology department in collaboration with rheumatology—later won the National Science and Technology Progress Second Prize. Today, Renji Hospital is the world’s leading center for SLE-complicated pregnancy cases, accumulating unparalleled clinical expertise .

   Speaking of another Renji luminary, Professor Lin Qide, Di Wen’s words brim with gratitude.

   “As early as the 1980s, Professor Lin dedicated himself to clinical and basic research on pregnancy complicated by hypertension and recurrent miscarriage. From my arrival at Renji until now, I’ve witnessed his step-by-step progress in an era when China’s research environment was nascent and conditions were rudimentary. Countless patients sought his care, and his lab overflowed with research literature and reagent bottles, often keeping him working late into the night. All of this inspired me as a young physician entering the field. His rigorous academic approach, visionary style, profound knowledge, and relentless pursuit of global innovation blazed new trails for our department in clinical practice and research. It also revealed the sacred, endless nature of medicine—a profession worthy of lifelong dedication.”

   Di Wen vividly recalls a deep conversation with Professor Lin on the eve of his departure to study in the U.S. thirty years ago. He also fondly remembers how Professors Lin and Li Weiping made countless overseas calls to help him secure a spot in the Shanghai Health Bureau’s Hundred Talents Program.

   “Their encouraging voices and caring words reinforced my dedication to advancing our field, inspired by their belief in my potential and the profound impact of our work—and by Professor Lin’s profound love for medicine. Now, as a mentor and department head myself, I understand more deeply the importance of carrying forward this teacher-student legacy. We must continue uplifting others, cherishing and nurturing every talent.”

Building on Past Successes, Forging New Achievements

   Under Di Wen’s leadership, the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Renji Hospital has earned national recognition for clinical excellence, becoming a designated center for high-risk obstetric care and public health initiatives in Shanghai.

   The department handles over 300,000 outpatient and emergency visits annually and performs more than 10,000 surgeries each year. As the Shanghai Consultation and Rescue Center for High-Risk Pregnant Women and the Shanghai Maternity Cardiology Monitoring Center, it manages over 25% of Shanghai’s critical maternal cases, achieving a 95%+ success rate—significantly above the national average of 89%. As director of the Shanghai Maternal and Infant Safety Expert Committee, Di Wen has led efforts to substantially reduce maternal mortality rates, markedly improving maternal and child health outcomes in the region.

   Over decades, Di Wen has contributed to more than 20 clinical guidelines and expert consensuses in obstetrics and gynecology. He has published over 120 SCI papers as corresponding author and led over 30 national and provincial research projects, securing more than 60 million yuan in funding. His work has earned prestigious national awards, including the Ministry of Education’s Science and Technology Progress Award (Second Class) and the Shanghai Medical Science and Technology Award (First Class).

   In 2008, Di Wen established the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Gynecologic Oncology. Through sustained innovation, the lab focuses on four core research areas: mechanisms of gynecologic tumor development, immune regulation in tumors, personalized diagnosis and treatment, and tumor prevention/prediction. The team comprises primarily young and mid-career professionals with diverse expertise.

   Pioneering the multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach in gynecologic oncology, Di Wen founded the Renji Hospital Gynecologic Oncology MDT Comprehensive Treatment Center. This center convenes specialists—including clinicians, pathologists, and geneticists—to collaboratively design personalized treatment pathways, ensuring integrated care from diagnosis through recovery.

   The team holds regular consultations to develop standardized yet individualized treatment plans. Through coordinated services—including surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy—they deliver comprehensive care. The center has significantly improved five-year survival rates and quality of life for patients, earning designation as a national MDT demonstration center.

   Di Wen vividly recalls extraordinary cases, such as that of a 16-year-old girl facing a life-altering diagnosis. In December 2016, she underwent laparoscopic surgery elsewhere to remove a large ovarian cyst, later identified as a cystic teratoma with neural tissue. Six months post-surgery, recurrent pain and imaging revealed a right adnexal cyst with suspected metastases. Despite additional surgeries, the disease persisted.

   Upon arriving at Renji Hospital, examinations showed widespread metastatic lesions. Di Wen diagnosed peritoneal gliomatosis—an exceptionally rare condition where neural tissue from an ovarian teratoma implants in the peritoneum. Leading the MDT team, he orchestrated personalized treatment strategies, adapting as the condition evolved. After further surgery to remove residual tumor cells, the girl’s recovery highlighted the power of integrating pathology, molecular biology, and immunology—a model now gaining global traction.

   As medical research advances, obstetrics and gynecology increasingly intersect with genetics and reproductive biology. Beyond MDT excellence and rare disease treatment, Renji Hospital excels in managing pregnancy complicated by heart disease. As Di Wen notes:

   “Our former director, Professor Hong Suying, established the Shanghai Maternity Cardiology Monitoring Center, making Renji a designated facility for cardiac-complicated pregnancies. Now, our Shanghai Consultation and Rescue Center for High-Risk Pregnant Women has transformed critical maternal care.”

   “With 95% of high-risk pregnancies successfully managed here, we reflect decades of relentless effort and compassion. Notably, we pioneered national clinical guidelines for cardiac-complicated pregnancies, cementing our leadership. Today, Renji safeguards high-risk mothers across China, ensuring safe deliveries and healthy outcomes.”

The Heart of Medical Education: Compassion in Action

   “To cure sometimes, to relieve often, to comfort always.”

   Guided by Florence Nightingale’s legacy and the Hippocratic Oath, physicians harness medicine’s power to heal and extend fragile lives, uplifting countless families through selfless dedication.

   Di Wen believes compassionate care anchors medical education, advocating for humanistic values—empathy and social responsibility—to be woven into every teaching practice. Under his leadership, the program earned national distinction, including designation as a Ministry of Education model course for ideological integration and a key national residency training base. His personal contributions earned honors like the National Director of Residency Training Excellence Award and the Shanghai Distinguished Teacher Award.

   Di Wen prioritizes talent development, viewing love-infused medical education as the most effective teaching approach. He pioneers student-centered pedagogies, including the “3 O’s” framework (encouraging critical thinking, hands-on practice, and open dialogue) and the “BLOOM 3D System,” which uses personalized learning modules, Socratic debates, and peer-led presentations.

   “In my view, only when students actively engage their minds, hands, and voices can teachers accurately assess their understanding and tailor instruction.”

   Di Wen integrates social issues, clinical cases, and cutting-edge research into medical theory, fostering critical thinking and self-directed learning through interactive discussions. Under his mentorship, young doctors develop clinical reasoning skills honed by seasoned practitioners. He has guided over 80 postdoctoral, doctoral, and master’s students, with team members earning accolades like the National Excellent Young Scientist Award and the Shanghai Science and Technology Commission Rising Star Award.

   To enhance teaching, Di Wen also modernized China’s obstetrics and gynecology textbooks. As chief editor of the nationally adopted Obstetrics and Gynecology (4th ed.) and contributor to five foundational texts, he reshaped medical curricula, twice receiving the Shanghai Higher Education Excellent Textbook Award. Di Wen embodies both healer and educator, profoundly shaping future medical talent.

   Nietzsche observed, “Only those who understand life’s meaning can face it with composure.”

   Traditionally, Chinese society has lacked adequate education on love, sexuality, and death, fostering misconceptions about life’s purpose. Death remains shrouded in fear, creating a false dichotomy with life. Yet life’s value lies in pursuing ultimate peace and clarity.

   Di Wen and his team—passionate medical experts—have spent over a decade advancing a public education initiative focused on “women’s reproductive health across the life cycle.” Their mission: empower women with knowledge to prevent and detect gynecological diseases early.

   To achieve this, they transform complex medical concepts into accessible text and visuals. Beyond content creation, they prioritize building a professional education team, believing only trained communicators can deliver accurate scientific information.

   Their three flagship programs each tell a unique story:

- Ovarian Cancer Initiative: Launched on International Ovarian Cancer Day, it provides free screenings and education to underserved communities, revealing critical knowledge gaps and deepening their sense of duty.

- Pandemic Lecture Series: A cross-institutional effort uniting 40+ experts for global livestreams reaching 700,000+ viewers.

- “What Do You Know About Gynecologic Tumors?” Open Day: Hosted at the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Gynecologic Oncology, it offers the public an immersive look at tumor research and education.

   Di Wen explains, “Our life-cycle reproductive health initiative operates on one principle: deliver tailored education through diverse formats—videos, articles, books, live events—to key groups, including adolescents and high-risk populations.”

   Prevention is the most cost-effective health strategy, and public education is its cornerstone. Over a decade, the team has leveraged four mediums (videos, articles, books, live lectures) to reach broad audiences. Di Wen insists varied formats meet diverse needs, and their efforts have earned widespread recognition, cementing their commitment. Public education is both mission and passion.

   Under his guidance, emerging science communicators have flourished: some edited multiple public education books; others won national competitions; several joined the China and Shanghai Science Writers Associations. Di Wen maintains that impactful medical education isn’t a solo endeavor or reliant on “professional prestige.” By mentoring young physicians in science communication and building collaborative networks, the initiative amplifies its reach—proving shared expertise drives change.

   For his contributions to women’s reproductive health education, Di Wen received the Shanghai Public Education Innovation Award for Individual Contribution (First Prize) and the Shanghai Science and Technology Award for Science Popularization (First Prize).

   As Einstein said, “Only a life lived for others is worthwhile.” In this team united by compassion, Di Wen leads partners transforming complex medical knowledge into accessible stories. Through contemporary, diverse formats, they illuminate science’s wonders, letting more people experience the warmth of knowledge and care.

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