Li Xiaoming is the vice president of Norman Bethune International Peace Hospital (BIPH) in Shijiangzhuang, Hebei province, and director of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Center of Chinese PLA. Under his administration, the first electronic cochlear implant center in North China was established. Eight years ago, the former doctor turned down generous offers from the USA, went back to his motherland and became a soldier. Eight years of military life earned him an honorable rank: major general.

Li Xiaoming(left) is doing an operation.

“I never regretted it.”

Eight years is not long, but what Li has achieved is extraordinary: “Best Research” award by US National Institutions of Health in 2003, over 30 innovative fruits that meet international or national standards, journals published by Science, and of course, his exceptionally high rank of major general.

From 1997 to 2002, BIPH, an affiliated hospital of the PLA, never stopped writing to Li, inviting him to work there. The hospital kept him updated on the latest development of China’s medical science and favorable policies issued by the army. Deeply moved by its sincerity, Li went back and joined the army as soon as he finished his program in America, in spite of a lucrative job offer. “Eight years have passed, and I never regretted my decision. I should be loyal to the army, and loyal to my heart, even though I’m facing countless temptations,” said the general.

“Saving lives makes me happy.”

Being a doctor for more than 10 years, Li has saved thousands of lives, “It is reassuring when seeing the patients regain their strength and confidence. I feel honored that patients from throughout China all come to visit me.”

Li has performed thousands of surgeries, each of which he treats as a work of art. After a throat cancer operation, some patients would even confuse the subtle cut with a wrinkle on the neck.

More importantly, Li cares about the patients. He not only cures their physical pain, but the mental one. Many throat cancer patients lost their voice after the surgery. Their tumors were gone, but pain remained. After years of painstaking research, Doctor Li is now able to restore the throat and make the patients speak again.

“There’s room for improvement.”

Li always has a tight schedule. Surgeries, seminars, research and lectures have filled his life. The doctor is used to the blistering pace of his life. “Being a doctor is hard. You always have to keep up with the latest medical information and skills, even the best ones,” said Li Xiaoming.

By Guo Changodong and Jiang Jingjing