Sister City -Qinhuangdao, China

Development and Implementation of the Partnership Agreement between the two hospitals in Sister Cities—Toledo USA and Qinhuangdao China

One of the successful collaborative projects organized by the Toledo Sister Cities International (TSCI) is a recent development and implementation of the partnership between Qinhuangdao First Hospital, China and the Toledo Hospital, USA. According to Dr. Kevin Webb, President of the Toledo Hospital, the primary purpose of this agreement is to “encourage direct contact and medical cooperation between medical staff members, departments, and hospitals,” including “collaboration and exchange of medical staff members for training, research, lectures, discussions, visits, and/or other professional activities related to hospitals. “ As a result of this partnership agreement, Dr. Qiang Tan (see a picture attached), a well‐respected cardiologist from Qinhuangdao First Hospital arrived in Toledo in early April 2010 for six months of clinical and medical observation in the Toledo area. “This is an exemplary collaboration between the two hospitals, and it’s an eye‐opening experience for me,” said Dr. Tan.

Dr. Kevin Webb, President of the Toledo Hospital, Dr. Richard Munk, former President of the Medical Staff of Toledo Children’s Hospital, Mr. Hans Ersepke, President of the Toledo Sister Cities International Board, and Dr. Yueh‐Ting Lee and Dr. Guangzhong Chen (Co‐Chairs of the China‐Qinhuangdao Committee) have been instrumental in the development and implementation of this partnership. The China‐Qinhuangdao Committee and other Chinese communities are also very supportive of this initiative.

The Toledo Hospital is northwest Ohio’s largest acute‐care facility with approximately 700 beds.
Qinhuangdao First Hospital is a municipal health facility with 1000 beds. Both hospitals have much in common and a great potential to collaborate. To facilitate the relationship between the two hospitals, the City Government Office of Qinhuangdao and Qinhuangdao First Hospital have extended their invitation to the Toledo Hospital administrative and medical staff members to visit our sister city Qinhuangdao in China and Qinhuangdao First Hospital.

As one of nine Toledo sister cities in the world, Qinhuangdao in China is a port city located just northeast of Beijing. Since the Sister City relationship was established in 1985, China‐Qinhuangdao Committee has been in constant collaboration with Toledo, working in a concerted effort to advance cultural, educational, medical, and economic exchange.

Dragon Boat Races

The Great Maumee River Dragon Boat Races

On Saturday, July 24, 2010, the biggest annual event in Toledo promoting Chinese culture and traditions will happen again on the banks of the Maumee River at International Park - The Dragon Boat Races and Festival. This will be the fifth year that the Chinese Association of Greater Toledo (CAGT) has participated in the races and in organizing the cultural booths of the China Village.

This is where YOU come in. We are now recruiting men and women (or kids age 16 and older) to be a part of the 2010 CAGT China Dragons team. No experience is necessary. Training and "in the water" practice time will be provided. This is an incredibly exciting experience! It is an excellent way to have fun, be with friends, get exercise, celebrate Chinese culture, and experience the thrill of competition, all while raising money for a great cause.*

We are looking for 25 people for the team: 20 paddlers (plus 3 alternates), a steersman (or steerswoman), and a drummer. We need both male and female paddlers, in fact, each boat must have 8 or more women. Again, no experience necessary....just a desire to have fun and be a part of the team. Uniforms and life vests are provided.

Please contact Tony Chen tonychen_2000@yahoo.com or Tom Fridrick tfridrick@aol.com before May 15th to be a part of the CAGT paddling team, The China Dragons.

This popular event is organized by Partners in Education (http://www.partnerstoledo.org/) as a fundraising event to promote improved K-12 educational resources in Toledo.

* All participants will be expected and encouraged to help with fundraising, and will receive a fundraising packet to assist them in getting sponsors.

More information about the races and pictures/videos of past festivals (including video of CAGT's boat!) can be found here:

http://www.partnerstoledo.org/dragonboat.html

CONTACT INFO:

For more information or to express your desire to be a team member, please contact Tony Chen tonychen_2000@yahoo.com or Tom Fridrick tfridrick@aol.com before May 15th.