Six students in Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s College of Health Sciences participated in an international conference in China on medicine and health through the US-China Youth Program on Health Sciences and Culture, and an IUP faculty member was an invited presenter for the conference.
Lei Hao, associate professor in IUP’s Department of Allied and Public Health and coordinator of the Medical Imaging and Medical Laboratory Science program, organized and coordinated the students’ participation in the program and presented “From Science to Practice: Insights on the Balance of Omega-6/Omega-3 Ratios for Health Management” at the conference.
This is the first time that IUP students have been invited to be part of the event, which was held in August and based in Henan Province, China.
IUP participants in the Third Central Plains International Conference on Scientific and Technological Innovation in Traditional Chinese Medicine were, from left, Elizabeth Palmer, Calista Adomnik, Omid Keyhani, Lei Hao, Madison Gribbin, and Alyssa Kremposky (student Olivia Gambill is missing from the photo).
The students who attended the program include medical imaging majors Omid Keyhani and Alyssa Kremposky; speech-language pathology majors Calista Adomnik, Madison Gribbin, and Elizabeth Palmer; and food and nutrition major Olivia Gambill.
The event was sponsored by the Henan Modern Agriculture and Future Food Research Association, which covered all costs for the students.
The conference, the Third Central Plains International Conference on Scientific and Technological Innovation in Traditional Chinese Medicine, was based at Henan University in Henan Province, China. The conference theme was “Frontier Exploration and Industrial Transformation of Intelligent Biomanufacturing in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)” and was attended by policymakers, experts in TCM, scholars, industrial leaders, and international organization representatives, offering a forum for the exchange of thoughts on TCM’s heritage, development, and innovations. It included keynote and plenary talks from renowned speakers and presentations on related topics.
The event was developed to provide a professional development opportunity for students majoring in health professions and to foster meaningful connections between future health leaders from the United States and China. The program was also designed to provide students with a deeper understanding of traditional Chinese medicine, public health innovation, and global health systems.
“This was an extraordinary opportunity for our students to engage in global health dialogue and gain firsthand experience with international innovation and idea exchange,” said Hilliary Creely, interim dean of the College of Health Sciences. “I am grateful to Dr. Hao for his leadership in creating this experience, and proud of the students who represented IUP with such professionalism and curiosity. Partnerships like this enrich our college and open new doors for collaboration that will benefit our students, faculty, and communities for years to come.”
“Our department is committed to providing students with experiences that broaden their perspectives on health and well-being,” IUP Department of Allied and Public Health Chair Lori Lombard said. “Opportunities like this one allow them to connect classroom learning to real-world contexts, and I am so proud of the way they represented both our department and the university.”
“Our students were wonderful representatives of IUP,” Hao said. “Not only did they learn a great deal from this experience, but the Chinese participants also learned from them, creating a true exchange of knowledge and culture. This opportunity will benefit our students both in their academic studies and as they prepare for their future careers in healthcare.”
The program goals included enhancing cross-cultural understanding by actively engaging with Chinese students, educators, and professionals in a variety of social and educational settings; offering an opportunity for the IUP students to experience Chinese culture firsthand through visits to historical landmarks, cultural institutions, and traditional communities in Henan Province; gaining exposure to traditional Chinese medicine and its cultural significance in Chinese society and healthcare practices; recognizing the role of history, philosophy, and tradition in shaping Chinese approaches to health, wellness, and daily life; developing cultural humility and global awareness for future health professionals working with diverse populations; building interpersonal and intercultural communication skills through group discussions, collaborative activities, and guided reflection; and recognizing the similarities and differences between American and Chinese cultures and values.
“China is known for its holistic approach to health and wellness, especially through TCM, a practice rooted in centuries of observation, herbal therapy, acupuncture, and mind-body balance,” Hao said. “Henan Province, located in central China, is known as the cradle of Chinese civilization. As the site of ancient capitals, cultural landmarks, and modern innovation, Henan provided a unique setting to explore the intersection of tradition and progress, and was a perfect location for the program,” he said.
In addition to the conference sessions, students visited and toured sites, including the National Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement at Jinming Campus, Henan University; the 100-year-old historic Minglun campus of Henan University and Iron Pagoda Park; Dah Song Wuxia City; the National R&D Center for Edible Fungus Processing Technology; the Kaifeng Museum and Kaifeng Urban Planning Exhibition Hall; the Henan Museum; and Yellow River Cultural Park, Yellow River Geology Museum, and Wulong Peak; and attended a performance of Henan Opera.
Since its founding in 1875, IUP has evolved from a teacher-training institution into a doctoral research university recognized for its commitment to student success and achievement. As IUP celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2025 and through the Impact 150 comprehensive campaign, the university honors a legacy of educational excellence while looking to its next 150 years of student success, innovation, leadership in healthcare education, and public service.