DeVries Fellowship Founders Meet with Visiting Scholars
Robert and Eleanor DeVries and the UMSN recognize more than 12 years of partnership with nursing fellows from China.
The Robert and Eleanor DeVries China Nursing Leadership Fellowship Fund is dedicated to educating and training leaders in nursing to improve health care in China. The fellowship brings two Chinese scholars to the United States for between one and three months to participate in intensive learning dedicated to their area of interest.
Mr. DeVries said, “The fellowship was created to address a huge professional deficit as Chinese citizens sought basic health care. At the time this scholars program began, there were only two graduate programs in nursing for the entire country. One could predict the enormous growth in population and the demand for public health and primary care professionals, especially to care for an aging population. The University of Michigan and U.S. health care could equally benefit by appreciating the structure of the Chinese health system and unique care mechanisms in the world's most populated country.”
During a recent visit, Mr. and Mrs. DeVries met the current recipients of their fellowship, Dr. 
Zhiwen Wang and Yu Mei Su. UMSN Clinical Assistant Professor Dr. Laura Struble is their faculty mentor. Dr. Zhiwen Wang’s research focuses on care for older adults as well as how social cognition changes with age. She plans to learn advance practice methodologies in these areas while at the UMSN. Ms. Sun is focusing on chronic disease and nursing education. She plans to take the knowledge gained at the UMSN and apply it to her teaching methods in China. Sun said, “We are very appreciative of this opportunity. The experience is very valuable and will help us tailor master’s programs in our country. It will benefit many students in different nursing schools, not just our school. Communication and cooperation from different cultures certainly will promote the development of global nursing.”
Zhiwen Wang and Yu Mei Su. UMSN Clinical Assistant Professor Dr. Laura Struble is their faculty mentor. Dr. Zhiwen Wang’s research focuses on care for older adults as well as how social cognition changes with age. She plans to learn advance practice methodologies in these areas while at the UMSN. Ms. Sun is focusing on chronic disease and nursing education. She plans to take the knowledge gained at the UMSN and apply it to her teaching methods in China. Sun said, “We are very appreciative of this opportunity. The experience is very valuable and will help us tailor master’s programs in our country. It will benefit many students in different nursing schools, not just our school. Communication and cooperation from different cultures certainly will promote the development of global nursing.” UMSN Dean Kathleen Potempa said, “The UMSN takes great pride and responsibility in its leadership role of global nursing education. Benefactors like Mr. and Mrs. DeVries, our contemporaries in China and the UMSN faculty are showcasing that respectful, multi-lateral relationships can improve healthcare throughout the world.”
The UMSN is proud to recognize a long-standing relationship with the DeVries family. In 1995, the UMSN began a partnership with the Beijing Medical School, School of Nursing. By sharing their professional and personal experiences, Mr. and Mrs. DeVries became instrumental advisors to UMSN faculty of Chinese health care, travel, culture and etiquette. Their volunteer efforts helped build a strong and respectful partnership between the UMSN and the Beijing Medical School. Mr. DeVries even joined the UMSN’s delegation during their visit to Beijing to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Chinese Nurses Association. The endowment is matched by Mr. DeVries’ former employer, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.
