Dr. Sun Yun, Reproductive Medicine Specialist, full Professor, Vice President of Renji Hospital, Director of the Reproductive Medicine Department

Introduction

At the Center for Reproductive Medicine, hope is nurtured and dreams are realized. It is a place where life begins, and every new heartbeat resonates with the patients, doctors, and society who make it possible. In this world, one physician uses her precision and skill to help write the story of life.

Driven by a deep curiosity, she embarked on a journey into medicine. On a path filled with challenges and unknowns, she cultivated her knowledge with the passion of youth and an unwavering pursuit of excellence. Guided by the spirit of medicine and a steadfast faith in its potential, she sought to unlock the very secrets of life.

She witnessed the establishment and growth of the Center for Reproductive Medicine at Renji Hospital. From a novice medical student to a highly skilled physician, from a clinical practitioner to a research pioneer, she tirelessly forged her own legacy in the vast field of medicine.

Witnessing the miracle of birth daily, she often contemplated: What is true professionalism? What is humanistic care? What does it mean to hold life above all else?

A Calling to Medicine

From a young age, Sun Yun had a keen interest in medicine. At first, she simply believed that being a doctor was a noble profession, and she felt a deep sense of admiration whenever she saw doctors healing patients on television. Perhaps, this was the earliest seed planted in her heart.

“I chose medicine, and while there were some coincidental factors, in retrospect, it feels more like an inevitability.”

As she grew older, Sun Yun’s desire to become a doctor evolved into a profound aspiration for the medical profession itself. When it came time to apply for university, she chose medicine without hesitation. After high school, the high-achieving Sun Yun was admitted to Shanghai Second Medical University, fulfilling her dream.

Shanghai Second Medical University boasted a profound medical tradition, renowned for its rigorous academic atmosphere and open-minded teaching philosophy. On campus, Eastern and Western cultures merged, and historic buildings stood alongside modern facilities. Here, Sun Yun immersed herself in the “Haipai” medical culture—a unique Shanghai-style blend of Eastern and Western traditions—receiving the most rigorous and systematic medical education available.

“My time at Shanghai Second Medical University was unforgettable. The standards were extremely high, and every course was a challenge. To prepare for a single exam, we would pore over nearly every relevant reference book, refusing to stop until every concept was crystal clear.”

This demanding environment laid a solid medical foundation for Sun Yun. She learned how to analyze clinical problems with precision and how to observe and empathize with patients with meticulous care.

After graduation, due to her outstanding performance, Sun Yun joined Shanghai Ruijin Hospital.

“I was particularly interested in specialties that required strong hands-on skills, so surgery was my first choice. But at the time, minimally invasive surgery was rarely performed, and there weren’t many opportunities for women in surgery. So, I turned to obstetrics and gynecology. This field not only allowed me to leverage my skills but also let me experience the miracle of birth. When I entered the OB/GYN department, I felt incredibly excited and proud. Back then, receiving a word of praise from my teachers or patients made me feel absolutely wonderful.”

However, fate had a different plan in store.

An unexpected turn in Sun Yun’s medical career forged an indissoluble bond between her and reproductive medicine.

The establishment of the Center for Reproductive Medicine at Renji Hospital in 2003 provided her with a brand-new stage. Facing this field full of unknowns and challenges, Sun Yun felt a mix of excitement and apprehension.

At that time, reproductive medicine in China was still in its infancy. The number of centers was limited, mostly concentrated in top-tier Grade A Class 3 hospitals (the highest classification in China) in major cities.

Reproductive medicine is an emerging field that integrates knowledge from biology, endocrinology, urology, and obstetrics and gynecology, focusing on the study and treatment of human reproductive health issues.

“When I was faced with the decision to transfer to the reproductive department, my Master’s and PhD advisor, President Li Weiping, gave me immense support and encouragement. President Li was not only profoundly accomplished but also, with his forward-thinking vision, pointed me in the right direction. He firmly believed that reproductive medicine was a field full of hope with vast potential. His trust gave me the courage to face this new challenge.”

Perhaps it was precisely this uncharted and challenging environment that ignited Sun Yun’s desire to explore and pursue reproductive medicine.

“My early impression of reproductive medicine was that it was mysterious and full of challenges. During my time as a student, it wasn’t well-known; we only briefly touched upon basic concepts like fertilization. I was intensely curious but also aware of how limited my knowledge was.”

As Sun Yun’s understanding of medicine deepened, she began to realize the importance of reproductive medicine. It is a discipline that pertains not only to individual health but also to family happiness and the continuation of society. Sun Yun saw its potential and its future.

At this critical career moment, family support was equally indispensable. Her husband, Professor Di Wen, was her staunchest supporter, always giving her his unconditional trust.

Forging a path in the reproductive department meant giving up everything she had achieved in obstetrics and gynecology and starting from scratch. After careful consideration, she firmly believed that reproductive medicine could bring hope to more families. As long as she kept learning, she was certain she could achieve success in this new field.

She started from zero, constantly acquiring new knowledge and mastering new technologies. Together with her team, she overcame one difficulty after another. Her hard work and perseverance not only brought hope to patients but also made significant contributions to the development of reproductive medicine in China.

“In the beginning, there were few patients, the operating room conditions were rudimentary, and we had to handle many tasks ourselves. But it was precisely these challenges that strengthened my resolve. I knew we could bring hope and happiness to more families.”

Building a Center of Excellence

The development of reproductive medicine in China has been a journey of challenges and breakthroughs. In 1978, the world’s first “test-tube baby” was born, marking the dawn of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). In China, however, it wasn’t until 1988 that the country welcomed its first IVF baby. From that point on, China’s reproductive medicine began to develop gradually, but a gap remained when compared to international standards. It was not until the early 21st century that the field entered a period of rapid development.

“I remember it very clearly. In 2001, Renji Hospital decided to establish a Center for Reproductive Medicine. At that time, as a doctor in the OB/GYN department, I had the honor of witnessing this historic moment. When the center was first established, conditions were very rudimentary and our staff was small, but we shared a common goal: to provide patients with the best medical services and help them fulfill their wish to have children. In 2002 and 2003, the center gradually began its work. Although there were few patients at first, our team, with its exquisite medical skills and deep compassion, gradually earned their trust.”

For the Center for Reproductive Medicine at Renji Hospital, 2004 was a pivotal turning point. That year, the center received approval from the National Health Commission, officially becoming a medical institution qualified to provide ART services. This was a major recognition of the department’s work and provided a broader platform for its future. From that point on, the center’s case volume began to increase year after year, and its technology continuously progressed.

“By 2012, the center reached another new milestone. That year, our hospital had the honor of recruiting Academician Chen Zijiang. Her joining greatly propelled both our research and clinical work. Her vision and experience brought new vitality and innovative thinking to our team. Under her leadership, we established the Shanghai Science and Technology Commission Key Laboratory, integrating clinical practice with scientific research to drive comprehensive development.”

Academician Chen Zijiang is a leading figure in Chinese reproductive medicine. She has propelled the field’s leapfrog development through her outstanding research and clinical contributions, particularly in reproductive endocrinology and genetics. Her team has achieved a series of innovative breakthroughs in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and diminished ovarian reserve.

In addition to Academician Chen, the addition of Professor Sun Gang also injected new momentum into the center. Professor Sun Gang’s expertise in reproductive endocrinology provided new solutions for many complex cases. With his help, the center made significant progress in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions like PCOS and endometriosis.

Through these efforts, the Center for Reproductive Medicine at Renji Hospital has gradually developed into one of the top institutions in the country. It has not only achieved outstanding clinical results, with thousands of patients successfully conceiving each year, but has also secured a series of breakthrough achievements in research. The team has continuously grown, its technical level has constantly improved, and its service capacity has steadily expanded, becoming a trusted guardian of reproductive health for patients from both home and abroad.

“Looking back, I feel both proud and gratified. We have grown from an initial team of just three people to a comprehensive, highly skilled team; from a rudimentary laboratory to a state-of-the-art center; from a few dozen cases to nearly 10,000 clinical treatments annually. We have walked an extraordinary path. Along this journey, we have continuously explored, learned, and innovated, helping countless patients realize their dream of having children.”

Looking to the future, Sun Yun is full of confidence. With the advancement of technology, new treatments will emerge. The center will continue to uphold its “patient-centered” philosophy, continuously improve its medical standards, and strengthen its capacity for research and innovation, bringing hope and happiness to even more patients.

A Present and Future Centered on Patients and Society

With the continuous maturation of assisted reproductive technologies and the steady growth of Renji Hospital’s Reproductive Medicine Center, Sun Yun and her team have helped thousands of patients achieve their dreams of childbirth. However, in Sun Yun’s eyes, the work of reproductive medicine goes far beyond this.

"I still remember the woman who was emotionally and physically exhausted from recurrent miscarriages. She and her husband had walked a long and arduous journey, and each failure dashed their hopes. However, after analysis, our center, using Preimplantation Genetic Screening (PGS), finally helped them find a healthy embryo. After the successful transfer, her tear-filled smile remains deeply etched in my memory. This was the fruit of our joint efforts with the patient, driven by technology and compassion.

There was also a young woman whose diagnosis of premature ovarian failure nearly shattered her dream of having a child. Sun Yun’s team, through ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation, ignited a beacon of hope for her. When she learned the news of her successful pregnancy, the joy and gratitude she emanated deeply moved Sun Yun.

“It is precisely these patients who give us strength, fueling our reflection and motivation for future development.”

Healthy births, optimal nurturing, and fertility preservation are the key pillars for the future development of Renji Hospital’s Reproductive Medicine Center.

Sun Yun hopes to provide more patients with personalized treatment plans through more precise assisted reproductive technologies, ensuring that every new life can be conceived and nurtured in the best possible conditions.

“Healthy birth” means using technology to ensure the health of newborns and prevent genetic diseases, which is key to improving population health. “Optimal nurturing,” on the other hand, builds on this by focusing on the child’s growth environment and education to promote their well-rounded development. Through Preimplantation Genetic Screening (PGS) and Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD), it is possible to identify and avoid the transmission of hereditary diseases at the embryonic stage. This significantly reduces the risk of children being born with genetic diseases and alleviates the burden on both society and families. Under Sun Yun’s promotion, the center has become a pioneer in technologies for healthy birth, bringing healthy babies to countless families.

“Optimal nurturing” focuses on the child’s growth environment and education after birth. In Sun Yun’s view, childbirth is not just the beginning of life but a long-term responsibility. The department, by providing scientific parenting guidance and health counseling, helps parents create an environment conducive to their child’s physical and mental development. The practice of optimal nurturing not only enhances family well-being but also cultivates a healthier, more vibrant new generation for society.

In the future, fertility preservation will be another key focus area. Whether for patients whose fertility might be compromised by medical treatments or for professionals who choose to delay childbearing for career development, fertility preservation technology provides them with an option. Under Sun Yun’s leadership, the center continuously refines its techniques for freezing eggs, sperm, and ovarian tissue, providing a powerful guarantee for their reproductive rights.

“Looking ahead, we will continue to pursue development in the areas of healthy birth, optimal nurturing, and fertility preservation. Through more public education initiatives, we will raise public awareness of the importance of these fields. We will also continue to explore and innovate, constantly refining our technologies to provide higher-quality services. We believe that through further efforts, we can bring hope to more families and make greater contributions to the development of society.”

Nurturing Talent to Drive Future Development

Throughout her career, Sun Yun has deeply understood the importance of nurturing talent for the advancement of medicine. From being mentored herself to becoming a mentor to others, Sun Yun believes that the integration of knowledge inheritance with an innovative spirit is the key to the department’s future development. In her view, the future of reproductive medicine requires not only technical excellence but also doctors and medical students with broad vision and innovative capabilities.

“Reflecting on my own growth, I feel incredibly fortunate to have received guidance from many excellent mentors on my medical path. They encouraged me to explore the unknown and to be brave in innovating, which enabled me to continuously break through my own limits and achieve technological innovations in my later work.”

Looking to the future, the development of reproductive medicine technology will become more personalized and precise. With the integration of cutting-edge technologies like gene editing and stem cell research, future reproductive medicine will be able to offer patients more precise and personalized treatment plans. This will require not only profound professional knowledge from doctors but also innovative thinking and the ability for lifelong learning among medical students and young physicians.

“In this new era, future medical students will need a broader range of abilities to face more challenges. First, I hope they will possess strong medical ethics. Second, they must have a solid foundation of basic medical knowledge and continuously consolidate and update their medical theories, as this is the foundation for all professional skill development. Third, they need excellent clinical skills and research capabilities. At Renji Hospital, they have the opportunity to encounter a wide variety of cases, and I expect them to hone their skills through practice. As doctors, compassion and a sense of responsibility are the cornerstones of our practice. Furthermore, innovative thinking is also crucial. In a rapidly developing field like reproductive medicine, innovation is the key to driving the department forward. I strongly encourage them to dare to question existing knowledge and constantly seek more effective treatment methods. Medical knowledge updates rapidly, and only through continuous learning can one make continuous progress.”

In the field of reproductive medicine, the personal development of doctors and medical students is a continuous process of learning and adaptation. Young doctors need to keep pace with technological advancements, constantly update their knowledge base, and also maintain an interdisciplinary perspective, integrating knowledge from different fields into reproductive medicine to provide more comprehensive medical services.

In today’s globalized world, medical professionals need the ability for international exchange and collaboration to promote the global sharing of medical knowledge and technology.

“I help my students shape an international perspective, encouraging them to master foreign languages and participate in international conferences and exchanges to understand medical developments around the world. Through these experiences, they not only enhance their professional skills but also broaden their horizons and deepen their understanding of different cultures and healthcare systems.”

Sun Yun is well aware that every doctor and medical student is the hope for the department’s future. Under her guidance, generations of medical talent have graduated from here, mastering advanced medical technologies and inheriting the traditions of Renji Hospital’s Reproductive Medicine Center and its profound humanistic care for patients.

As time flows, life endures. Under Sun Yun’s leadership, the Department of Reproductive Medicine at Renji Hospital will continue to write its own legend, contributing Chinese wisdom to the development of reproductive medicine. This is a road filled with challenges and hope, and they are walking it with steadfast resolve, greeting each new dawn.

Editor: Chen Qing @ ShanghaiDoctor.cn

If you'd like to contact Doctor Sun, please be free to let us know at chenqing@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