Patients at CURE International hospitals are blessed to receive life-changing care from capable medical professionals from around the world. Dr. Bicheng Yong is the latest in a long line of exceptional doctors, nurses, and surgeons who put their God-given ability and renowned training to work for CUREkids.
Originally from Guangzhou, China, Dr. Yong is a fellowship-trained pediatric orthopedic surgeon who has joined the excellent medical team at the Beit-CURE International Hospital in Malawi, a decision that will bring hope and healing to many children for years to come.
Q: Tell us about how you decided to be a doctor, your medical training, and why you chose to devote your life to medicine.
I guess I knew by the time I graduated from high school. I went to medical school because I was highly influenced by my grandmother, a physiotherapist, and my mom, a nursing school teacher. It really wasn’t my decision, it was a decision made for me by my parents and grandparents. They thought that being a doctor you have a stable job and as you grow older and have more experience, you’re less likely to leave that profession for another one.
I graduated from Lanzhou University with a bachelor’s degree in clinical medicine in 2006. Then I earned my Master’s and Ph.D. in musculoskeletal oncology at Sun Yat-Sen University from 2006 to 2013. I completed four years of residency in pediatric surgery and pediatric orthopedic surgery in Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center. I also had one year of chief residency devoted to pediatric orthopedics. Last year I finished a one-year fellowship training in pediatric orthopedic surgery at the Hospital for Sick Children (known to many as SickKids) in Toronto, Canada.
Q: How did you learn about CURE International and how did you decide that CURE Malawi was the right place for you?
I felt called to serve kids after I received my medical degree and training when my wife and I spent time with our church group volunteering at an orphanage. God developed our hearts to help children with special needs. Spending time with the kids there, holding them, and taking care of basic needs helped me have the heart to serve them in my profession. I really enjoy working with kids in my vocation – they heal so fast! They might come in for a fracture to be fixed and the next time you see them, they are jumping around. It’s very rewarding!
An influential verse for me comes from James 1:27 – Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
I first heard about CURE International from a visiting French professor while I was in residency. While I served at SickKids in Toronto, a colleague put me in contact with Dr. Rick Gardner, the Chief Medical Officer at CURE International. I visited CURE Malawi last August. After praying, my wife and I decided to come.
One of the core values at CURE is Intentional Relationships. I see this happening at CURE Malawi. As a doctor, I have influence and through relationships, I have the opportunity to share the gift of the gospel with others. As hospital workers, we have access to people, have an opportunity to build relationships, and through healing, we can touch people’s hearts.
Q: What are you excited about in the next couple of years at CURE Malawi?
The focus on serving children is really exciting and the funding for building a new operating theater for serving even more children. There is still such a big need here.
Q: How can others support you and your family while you are serving in Malawi?
We would definitely appreciate prayers from family, friends, and friends of CURE International. Despite the challenges and frustrations, we believe God will lead us. The French professor who first told me about CURE already told me that he would like to come and help for one week. I encourage other medical professionals to consider working with CURE.
If you or someone you know is a medical professional that would be interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities, please visit cure.org/cure-global-outreach/.
