who we are

Welcome to our website! We are volunteer assistants and "cultural interpreters" for patients and their caregivers coming to Beijing for olfactory ensheathing glial cell (OEC) surgery at West Hill Hospital.

Priscilla Song is a doctoral student studying medical anthropology at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Joe Walline is a medical student at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As American students who have been living in Beijing since October 2004, we have experienced first-hand the challenges of navigating the cultural intricacies, societal divergences, economic changes, linguistic barriers, and political differences of life in China.

We are on academic fellowships to study the social and cultural dimensions of high-tech medicine in China. Priscilla received a U.S. National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship to conduct her dissertation research in Beijing through 2006. Joe received a U.S. Fulbright Fellowship to conduct independent research in Beijing from 2004 to 2005 before completing his medical degree back in the United States.

our philosophy

We are committed to engaging in academic research that benefits people here and now -- fulfilling our belief that humanities research should serve a humanitarian purpose.

We hope that our work will contribute to the ongoing international efforts to improve treatment options and accessibility for patients with ALS and spinal cord injuries. We also hope that our work will facilitate cross-cultural interactions and make it easier for foreign patients to receive medical treatment in China.

The only financial compensation we receive are the academic fellowships which support our living expenses here in China. We do not receive any other monetary benefits for our volunteer work.

We believe that our reward is in helping patients and having the opportunity to learn more about your experiences. We are deeply committed to understanding the experiences of patients, their caregivers, and the medical support staff through long-term interaction and discussion founded on trust.

how we can help

We are both fluent in English and Chinese, and we are committed to improving cross-cultural understanding. We hope to help patients and their caregivers who are coming to Beijing for treatment, especially those who have never been to China before. Our goal is to help make your experience in China as successful as possible!

We are available to help you with:

• Addressing questions about what to expect and how to prepare for your treatment experience in Beijing
• Communication with hospital staff (we can translate between English and Chinese)
• Suggestions for activities in Beijing (including sightseeing, shopping, local culture, local cuisine, etc.)
• How to get around the city (and find what you're looking for!)
• And any other non-medical concerns you have regarding your trip to China...

Please feel free to contact us if you need any assistance!

Priscilla's email:

Joe's email:

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This site is maintained by Priscilla Song and Joseph Walline on a volunteer basis.

page last updated: April 30, 2005