Heritage Snapshot: Part 225 Dr. G. Gordon Hadley

LOMA LINDA>> Dr. Gordon Hadley became the second president of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital. His long experience in international medicine, work with the World Health Organization and his experience as Dean of Loma Linda University School of Medicine were invaluable. His status as a senior level physician was greatly appreciated by the Chinese. Hadley and Dr. Wu Jinming, his Chinese co-president counterpart, communicated well together. In addition to finances, the biggest challenge for administration was to blend the Eastern and Western practice of medicine. One of the other big challenges at that time was getting hospital equipment timely through customs into the country. Jinming, a member of the Chinese Communist Party, was receptive and understanding of Sir Run Run Shaw’s vision for the hospital, and had all the political connections to make things happen. The co-presidency between Hadley and Jinming was good as they shared responsibilities then spread to many of the other key positions, as well. One day as a servant/leader, Hadley, personally addressed the cleanliness of the hospital. He got down on his hands and knees with a brush and bucket of soapy water and started scrubbing the floors. Because the local people had such a high regard for Hadley, his friendship, his wisdom and were so amazed that he would do such a mundane task, housekeeping staff realized that cleanliness must be important. In turning the cleaning staff around, administration then brought in the housekeeping staff from the nearby Shangri La Hotel to teach housekeeping. Hadley went to China with a commitment to quality, including cleanliness. The SRRSH became the cleanest hospital in China, an example for all Chinese Hospitals in housekeeping services. According to Betty Rosenquist, RN, when Hadley wanted something done, staff did it partly because it was their job, but partly to make Hadley happy. “They loved him," she said. "They loved his family. We felt blessed to be there at a time when he was there.” A visitor today notices that many of the personnel at Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital have American names: Larry, Elaine, Sherry, Jenny, Annie, etc. Betty Rosenquist is the one who started that, and at their insistence. “They wanted that very badly,” she said. “I didn’t say, ‘Your name is,’” To answer their requests, she wrote down all the names she could think of including the names of relatives and former classmates. Then she crossed off each name when it was chosen. She would let the Chinese choose from two or three names. Because they each had a choice, it worked out very nicely. Later, to help, her daughter, Dianne Rice, RN, sent her a book of baby names. When Dianne came for a visit and people learned that she was Betty’s daughter, they would say, “She gave me my name.” It was said with such appreciation, “It was almost like she had anointed them,” Dianne said.