History:

The Department of Dermatology at Zhongshan Hospital was established in 1947, making it one of the first hospitals in China to offer specialized dermatological care. Under the leadership of renowned professors such as Qin Wanzhang, Jin Lan and Li Ming, the department has achieved a high reputation in the field of dermatology in China.

The current head of the department is Chief Physician Yang Ji, who is also a professor, PhD supervisor and head of the department of dermatology at Zhongshan Hospital affiliated with Fudan University. In addition, he served as deputy director of the department of dermatology and dermatology at Fudan University. Yang Ji holds several prominent positions, including standing committee member of the Dermatology Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association, standing committee member of the Dermatology Rehabilitation Professional Committee of the China Rehabilitation Medical Association, leader of the Immunology Group of the Dermatology and Venereology Professional Committee of the Chinese Association of Integrative Medicine, deputy director of the Dermatology Immunology Professional Committee of the Shanghai Immunology Society, deputy director of the Dermatology and Venereology Professional Committee of the Shanghai Association of Integrative Medicine, deputy director of the Dermatology Branch of the Shanghai Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine, deputy chair of the Dermatology Professional Committee of the Xuhui District Medical Association in Shanghai, and member of the International Society of Dermatology (ISD).

He has led four projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and four by the Shanghai Science and Technology Commission and the Shanghai Health Commission. Yang Ji has published 35 SCI papers (with 28 as the first author or corresponding author) in journals such as BMJ, Arthritis & Rheumatism, and JAAD, with one paper cited up to 320 times. He has applied for eight invention patents, five of which have been granted. His accolades include the Huaxia Medical Science and Technology Award, the Young Medical Science and Technology Award, the Distinguished Professor (Eastern Scholar) of Shanghai Universities, the Academic Leader in Health and Hygiene in Shanghai, the Shanghai Talent Development Fund, the Outstanding Young Medical Talent Plan of Shanghai, the Fudan University Shanghai Medical College Clinical Famous Doctor Training Project, the Fudan University "Excellence 2025" Excellent Scholar Talent Tier, the Shanghai Young Physician Training Program, and the Excellent Backbone Plan of Zhongshan Hospital affiliated with Fudan University. He has also received the third prize of the Shanghai Medical Science and Technology Award, the Caring for Life/Glory Physician—Young Innovation Award, the Outstanding Young Dermatologist Award from the Chinese Dermatology and Venereology Society in 2020, the Outstanding Young Dermatologist Award in China in 2015, and the Silver and Bronze Awards at the 24th and 25th Shanghai Excellent Invention Selection Contests.

Internationally, Yang Ji was the first to discover and name two new types of dermatomyositis: seborrheic dermatitis-like dermatomyositis and pseudo-vascular edema-like dermatomyositis, and elucidated their clinical significance. Addressing the global challenge of scleroderma hardness detection, he independently developed a hardness detection device combining flexible sensor materials and an intelligent transmission system, achieving quantitative analysis of skin hardness and clinical application. He was also the first in China to establish a specialized outpatient clinic for skin diseases related to tumor-targeted drugs, diagnosing, treating, and researching skin diseases caused by tumor-targeted drugs and immune checkpoint inhibitors. He authored the first monograph on the subject in China, "Skin Diseases Related to Tumor-Targeted Drugs and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors.".

Current Team

The department currently boasts a highly skilled team of professionals, with over 80% holding medical doctorates, ensuring a well-structured talent pipeline. The team includes:

- 1 Lifetime Honorary Professor

- 4 Professors and Chief Physicians

- 7 Associate Chief Physicians

- 6 Attending Physicians

- 2 Resident Physicians

- 3 Technicians

- 19 Nurses

- 2 Doctoral Supervisors

- 2 Master's Supervisors

Distinguished Doctors

Professor Qin Wanzhang:

Professor Qin Wanzhang has held several prominent positions, including Vice Chairman of the Dermatology Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, Director of the Shanghai Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Lupus Erythematosus Medical Collaboration Center, and the National Lupus Erythematosus Research Association. He is also a doctoral supervisor and an honorary director of the Dermatology Professional Committee of the National and Shanghai Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Association. His research focuses on the treatment of autoimmune diseases and related skin conditions using integrated Chinese and Western medicine. He has published over 100 papers domestically and internationally and authored more than 10 books. He has been recognized for his contributions to Tripterygium research and has received numerous accolades, including the Second Prize of the Ministry of Health for Scientific and Technological Achievements (1965), the National Science Conference Award (1982), and several Shanghai Science and Technology Progress Awards. During his tenure as the director of the Dermatology Department at Zhongshan Hospital, he advanced the field in medical treatment, education, and research. His department specializes in integrated Chinese and Western medicine treatments for lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, scleroderma, and other connective tissue diseases, as well as various complex and stubborn skin diseases. He has developed a comprehensive set of diagnostic and treatment protocols for connective tissue diseases and formulated various proprietary herbal and topical preparations, earning high acclaim in the field of dermatology in China.

Professor Li Ming:

Professor Li Ming has dedicated 37 years to clinical dermatology work at teaching hospitals affiliated with medical schools, excelling in the clinical fundamentals of dermatology and venereology. He specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune and allergic skin diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, systemic scleroderma, mixed connective tissue disease, Raynaud's phenomenon, cutaneous vasculitis, urticaria, dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, and vitiligo. With a background in traditional Chinese medicine, he integrates Chinese and Western approaches to treat connective tissue diseases and other immune-related skin conditions. In recent years, he has led three National Natural Science Foundation projects and several provincial and ministerial research projects on connective tissue diseases. He has supervised 12 master's students and 14 doctoral students, focusing his research on autoimmune skin diseases, particularly connective tissue diseases. He has published 81 professional papers as the first author or corresponding author, including 27 SCI papers. He contributed to key sections in dermatology textbooks such as "Yang Guoliang Dermatology," "Chinese Clinical Dermatology," edited by Zhao Bian, and the chapters on dermatitis, eczema medication, and topical corticosteroids in the "Chinese National Prescription Collection." He has twice served as deputy chief translator for "Dermatology," edited by Bolognia JL et al., translating the "Rheumatic Diseases" chapter. In 2009, he authored "Atlas and Diagnostic Essentials of Connective Tissue Disease Skin Manifestations," and in 2017, "Diagnosis and Treatment of Connective Tissue Diseases in Dermatology," emphasizing dermatological diagnosis and treatment of connective tissue diseases. Additionally, he serves on the editorial boards of multiple dermatology journals, including "Chinese Journal of Dermatology," "International Journal of Dermatology and Venereology," and "Journal of Clinical Dermatology." He has also held positions as an executive committee member (2006-2012) and standing committee member (2012-2018) of the Chinese Dermatologist Association and as the leader of the Immunology Skin Disease Group of the Dermatology and Venereology Professional Committee of the Chinese Association of Integrative Medicine since 2007. He has been the vice chairman of the dermatology branch of the Shanghai Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Association since 2006 and chaired the academic committee of the Second Chinese Dermatologist Annual Meeting in 2006.

Facilities

The Dermatology Department currently features well-equipped outpatient clinics and wards, along with specialized laboratories for skin fungi, dermatopathology, and skin immunology, enabling the diagnosis and treatment of various refractory skin diseases. The department offers a wide range of treatments, including laser therapy, cryotherapy, phototherapy, cosmetic dermatology, outpatient surgery, and cosmetic injections. The ward has 20 approved beds and, leveraging Zhongshan Hospital's robust multidisciplinary diagnostic and treatment capabilities, provides standardized and effective comprehensive treatment for complex and severe skin diseases.

Scope of Services

The department covers three main areas: dermatology, venereology, and cosmetic dermatology (including skin, hair, and nails). It operates specialized clinics for connective tissue diseases, cosmetic dermatology, scars, psoriasis, vitiligo, hair loss, fungal diseases, acne, dermatitis, eczema, pruritus, and sexually transmitted diseases. These specialized clinics are managed by dedicated personnel, offering patients professional and high-quality diagnostic and treatment services. In recent years, in response to changes in the spectrum of skin diseases, the department pioneered the establishment of a specialized clinic for skin diseases related to tumor-targeted therapies in China, providing treatment for skin conditions caused by targeted cancer therapies and immunotherapy, setting a leading and exemplary role in the academic community.

Currently, there are two subspecialties within the department: connective tissue diseases and integrative Chinese and Western medicine for refractory skin diseases. These subspecialties have developed distinctive features in the early diagnosis and treatment of connective tissue diseases and the integrative treatment of refractory skin conditions. In 2023, the department was selected as a "flagship" department for integrative Chinese and Western medicine by the national program and received the third prize of the Shanghai Medical Award in 2023.

Since its establishment, the Dermatology Department has developed a specialty in the integrative treatment of connective tissue diseases such as lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, and scleroderma, as well as various complex and stubborn skin diseases, leading the nation in this field. Zhongshan Hospital's Dermatology Department is noted for its integrative Chinese and Western medicine approach, developing various herbal preparations such as Huoxue Mixture, Wuling Syrup, Degreasing Mixture, and Hair Growth Mixture. The department focuses on the immunopharmacology research of traditional Chinese medicine in treating connective tissue diseases, particularly the study of Tripterygium, Danshen, and Baicalin in treating connective tissue diseases and certain skin conditions. They have developed a series of Tripterygium preparations for immunoinflammatory skin diseases (oral liquid, tablets, tea bags, topical preparations, etc.); Huoxue Mixture for connective tissue diseases (lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, scleroderma) and vitiligo; and Wuling Syrup for psoriasis and vasculitis, benefiting tens of thousands of patients.

The department has also developed a range of topical preparations, including compound chlorpheniramine cream (compound anti-inflammatory cream), clobetasol propionate cream, urea cream, compound clobetasol propionate lotion (compound Dermabond solution), chlorpheniramine lotion (dermatitis lotion), compound benzoic acid lotion, and glacial acetic acid. These in-house preparations are used to treat stubborn eczema, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, prurigo, vitiligo, pruritus, and fungal infections, helping thousands of patients with stubborn skin diseases and earning widespread acclaim among dermatology patients.

Medical Education

Undergraduate Education:

Our department not only undertakes classroom teaching for eight-year and five-year clinical medicine undergraduates at Fudan University but also handles the clinical internship teaching of dermatology for Fudan University Zhongshan Clinical College. Over the years, several faculty members have been awarded the "Li Shuxiong Education Award" for their excellent teaching quality, and the department has been repeatedly recognized as an outstanding group in undergraduate teaching. Multiple teaching staff have been named as Fudan University's Outstanding Teaching Faculty. In 2004, the dermatology textbook co-edited by Professor Li Ming won the second prize for higher education textbooks and multimedia courseware from the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission (as the second contributor).

Graduate Education:

Our department is an accredited institution authorized by the Ministry of Education to grant master's and doctoral degrees. We currently have two doctoral advisors (Professor Li Ming and Professor Yang Ji) and three master's advisors (Professor Wang Qiang, Associate Professor Zhu Lubing, and Associate Professor Gao Lijuan). To date, we have trained over 10 doctoral students and more than 30 master's students.

Resident/Specialist Training:

The Dermatology Department at Zhongshan Hospital is among the first batch of "Dermatology Resident/Specialist Training Bases" in China. The base adheres to a rigorous resident training system and, combined with its unique characteristics, has gradually developed a scientific management system for resident training. Trainees from our base have repeatedly been awarded as Outstanding Residents at Zhongshan Hospital and Excellent Residents in Shanghai. The base also provides opportunities for residents to participate in Shanghai case discussions and share insights at dermatology annual meetings. Additionally, it offers a dedicated dermatology laboratory for residents, creating excellent conditions for research activities. Residents from our base have received numerous National Natural Science Youth Fund grants and published 10 SCI papers, including in journals like JAAD. Many teaching staff at the base have been recognized as "Fudan University Outstanding Resident Instructors."

Continuing Education:

Our department undertakes various continuing education projects, including training courses for Fudan University teachers, adult continuing education classes, specialized dermatology training courses, general practitioner workshops, nurse courses, and advanced nurse courses. Since 1981, we have accepted hundreds of doctors from across the country for further training, cultivating key dermatology personnel for their respective units.

Scientific Research

In terms of research, Zhongshan Hospital has established a dermatology laboratory, leveraging the experimental conditions and equipment of the hospital's central laboratory to create favorable conditions for scientific research. The Dermatology Department focuses on addressing patients' clinical needs as the primary research objective, accumulating substantial research foundations and achievements in the basic and clinical research of connective tissue diseases, autoimmune skin diseases, and the integration of traditional Chinese and Western medicine.

Key Researchers and Achievements:

Professor Qin Wanzhang: **Renowned domestically and internationally for his research on Tripterygium wilfordii, he was one of the first experts in China to conduct clinical and basic research on the use of Tripterygium wilfordii in treating connective tissue diseases. He has authored major works such as "Tripterygium wilfordii" and "Psoriasis."

Professor Li Ming: **Edited and published illustrative and detailed books on the dermatological manifestations and treatment essentials of connective tissue diseases, earning high acclaim in the domestic academic community. Notable works include "Illustrated Guide to the Skin Manifestations and Treatment Essentials of Connective Tissue Diseases" and "Diagnosis and Treatment of Connective Tissue Diseases in Dermatology."

Professor Yang Ji: **First to discover and name a new type of dermatomyositis, seborrheic dermatitis-like dermatomyositis, and another new type of dermatomyositis rash, pseudo-vascular edema-like dermatomyositis, elucidating their clinical significance. Developed an innovative device combining flexible sensor materials, intelligent transmission systems, and AI technology for quantitative analysis and AI decision-making in skin hardness detection, achieving clinical translation. Pioneered the identification of baicalin's therapeutic effect on lupus and verified its efficacy in animal models. Established the first specialized clinic for skin diseases related to tumor-targeted drugs in China, diagnosing and researching skin diseases caused by tumor-targeted drugs and immune checkpoint inhibitors, and published the first related monograph in China, "Skin Diseases Related to Tumor-Targeted Drugs and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors."

In recent years, our department has led over 20 National Natural Science Foundation projects and numerous Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission, Health Commission research projects, and talent programs. We have published a series of high-quality original papers in prestigious international journals such as BMJ, JAAD, Arthritis Rheumatism, and Rheumatology.

The Dermatology Department at Zhongshan Hospital upholds the medical philosophy of "patient-centered care," driving the overall development of the dermatology discipline through the integration of clinical practice and scientific research aimed at solving clinical problems for patients.

Clinical drug trials

In July 1998, our department was approved as a national clinical research base for drugs, making it one of the first dermatology-specialized national clinical drug trial bases in China. We have participated in completing numerous international and domestic multi-center phase I, II, and III clinical drug trials and have independently applied for and completed several clinical drug trials.

Contact Us

Address:

Department of Dermatology, 1st Zone, 11th Floor, Building 20, Zhongshan Hospital, 111 Yixueyuan Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai 200032, China

Phone:

+86 21-64041990, ext. 3642