West China–Mayo international forum of critical care medicine marks 10th anniversary

The West China–Mayo International Forum of Critical Care Medicine 2025 opened on Friday in Chengdu city of Sichuan Province, also known as the hometown of pandas in the southwest China, celebrating the 10th anniversary of one of the world's leading platforms for global collaboration in critical care medicine.

The three-day forum brings together top experts from China, the United States, Europe and other regions. Specialists from Mayo Clinic, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Duke University and other major institutions had in-depth exchanges about topics covering intensive care, AI and intelligent critical care, and critical care research and education, and more.

Dr. Kang Yan, director of critical care medicine at West China Hospital and president of West China Tianfu Hospital, and Dr. Daniel Brown, director and chair of the critical care independent multidisciplinary program at Mayo Clinic, serve as co-chairs of this year's event. Other participants include senior faculty from Mayo Clinic, Dr. Craig Coopersmith, director of the Emory Critical Care Center and former president of the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM), and Professor Cherylee Chang from Duke University School of Medicine, among others.

In his opening remarks, Luo Fengming, president of West China Hospital, highlighted the forum's decade-long development. Since its inception in 2016, he said, the event has grown into a major academic gathering thanks to the contributions of experts worldwide. With its forward-looking agenda and open exchange, the forum has become a fundamental platform linking global experts and advancing critical care medicine.

In his opening remarks, Luo Fengming, president of West China Hospital, highlighted the forum's decade-long development. Since its inception in 2016, he said, the event has grown into a major academic gathering thanks to the contributions of experts worldwide. With its forward-looking agenda and open exchange, the forum has become a fundamental platform linking global experts and advancing critical care medicine.

Professor Chen Dechang of Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, emphasized the significance of critical care for both medical progress and social development. China in recent years, he noted, has built a comprehensive system for clinical care, education and research, showing strong performance in emergency response and talent training. According to him, as the world faces new challenges, from infectious disease preparedness to an aging population, strengthening critical care capacity remains essential.

During a roundtable discussion between international experts moderated by Kang, Coopersmith acknowledged China's rapid progress in critical care from expanded bed capacity and improved infrastructure to technological breakthroughs, which have drawn global attention and encouraged expertise sharing. He hopes that continued exchanges of the forum will inspire more patient-centered, globally informed care.

Looking ahead, co-chair Brown said: "We're at a moment of opportunity to expand the practice of critical care. The challenge will be to do it in an affordable and respectful manner that engages all the colleagues." He expressed his expectation for wider and better international collaboration ahead.

In recent years, China has rolled out multiple policies to bolster critical care capacity and deepen international cooperation. As it enters its second decade, the West China–Mayo International Forum of Critical Care Medicine remains a key bridge connecting global critical care communities, a vital platform for cross-border exchange,  and an essential driver of innovation and advancement in the field.