China Honors Nine ‘Most Beautiful Doctors’ on Doctors’ Day

China observed its ninth Chinese Doctors’ Day on August 19, 2026, with the Central Propaganda Department and the National Health Commission jointly releasing the advanced deeds of the “Most Beautiful Doctors” (最美医生) to the public. Nine medical professionals were honored for their dedication and contributions to healthcare across the nation, according to Xinhua News Agency.

A Day of National Recognition

Chinese Doctors’ Day was established by the State Council in 2017 and has been observed annually on August 19 since 2018. The date commemorates the National Health and Wellness Conference held on August 19, 2016, and serves as one of only three professional holidays in China, alongside Nurses’ Day and Teachers’ Day. The 2026 observance carries the theme “铸魂强基、德高技精” (Forge the soul, strengthen the foundation, noble virtue, superb skills).

The full announcement from the Central Propaganda Department and the National Health Commission highlighted the honorees’ commitment to the “new era health and wellness work policy,” emphasizing their dedication to serving the people with compassion and expertise.

The Nine Honored Doctors

The 2026 “Most Beautiful Doctors” selection spans the breadth of China’s healthcare system, from elite academicians at major hospitals to a village doctor serving remote mountainous communities:

• Wang Qiu, Director of the Rehabilitation Medicine Department at West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, recognized for her work in medical basic research and treating pediatric patients.
• Feng Ke, Deputy Director of the Emergency Department at the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, honored for tireless work on the frontlines of emergency rescue.
• Lü Huakun, Chief Physician at the Immunization Planning Institute of the Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, recognized for expertise in vaccine science and public health campaigns.
• Du Ronghui, Vice President and Chief Physician at Wuhan Pulmonary Hospital, known as the “migratory bird doctor” for monthly visits providing free medical services to villagers in poor areas. She is also a 9th National Moral Model.
• Lu Jingen, Chief Physician at Longhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, representing the 4th generation of the Gu’s Surgery tradition and committed to integrating traditional Chinese and Western medicine.
• Luo Mingqin, Director of the Nursing Department at Qinghai Provincial People’s Hospital, dedicated to clinical nursing education and patient care in the high-altitude region.
• Bai Huali, Village Doctor at Dazhao Village Health Room in Guizhou Province, known as the “back-basket doctor” for carrying medical supplies in a basket to reach patients in remote mountainous areas for 23 years.
• Hou Fanfan, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Director of the Department of Nephrology at Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, renowned as a kidney disease specialist who rose from humble beginnings as a “pig-raising soldier.”
• Gu Cuiying, Director of the Geriatrics Department at Qinghe County Central Hospital in Hebei Province, dedicated to caring for elderly patients with severe disabilities and recipient of the National May 1st Labor Medal in 2023.

As CCTV News reported, the honorees “comprehensively implement the new era health and wellness work policy, uphold the people-first and life-first principles, and embody the noble professional spirit of ‘revering life, saving the dying, healing the wounded, and serving with boundless love.’”

Broader Recognition and Context

The “Most Beautiful Doctors” program, jointly organized by the Central Propaganda Department and the National Health Commission, has become an annual tradition since its launch. Previous years’ selections have honored doctors from diverse backgrounds, including the 2021 cohort that featured medical professionals who served during the COVID-19 pandemic, as documented by People’s Daily.

The 2026 selection continues this tradition of showcasing the diversity of China’s healthcare system — from a Chinese Academy of Sciences academician at a major hospital to a village doctor serving a single remote community. This breadth of recognition underscores the government’s emphasis on healthcare as a national priority and its commitment to the “Healthy China” initiative.

In a related feature, China News Service highlighted the personal wishes of doctors across the country, from an obstetrician hoping to “hear a baby’s cry and see mother and child safe” to a young village doctor wanting to “let villagers feel more at ease.” These stories humanize the medical profession and reinforce the day’s purpose of fostering respect for doctors.

Looking Ahead

A special broadcast ceremony featuring the “Most Beautiful Doctors” is scheduled to air in the near future, according to the announcement. As China continues to build its healthcare system and promote the “Healthy China” initiative, the recognition of medical professionals serves both as an honor for those recognized and as an inspiration for the broader medical community to uphold the highest standards of care.

The medical community has responded positively, with healthcare workers expressing their commitment to follow the example of the “Most Beautiful Doctors” and provide “more high-quality and efficient health services” to the public. As the nation marks another Doctors’ Day, the stories of these nine individuals stand as a testament to the dedication and sacrifice of China’s medical professionals.