China Medical Board


China Medical Board, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that promotes health education and research in the medical universities of China and Southeast Asia. Its mission is "to advance health, equity, and the quality of care in China and Southeast Asia."

History

The Board was founded in 1914 as the second major project of the Rockefeller Foundation. With additional endowments from the Rockefeller Foundation, China Medical Board became an independent private foundation in 1928. From 1914 to 1951, CMB worked to establish Peking Union Medical College. Its goal from the outset was full Chinese ownership, operations, financing, and faculty at Peking Union Medical College, which was achieved in 1950.
In 1951, China Medical Board could not operate in China for political reasons. During this time, China Medical Board focused its attention on advancing public health in other countries in East Asia and Southeast Asia. In 1980, it resumed activities in China and has been a continuous presence in China ever since.
Over the years, China Medical Board has supported 118 medical schools in 17 Asian countries, 28 of which are in China. Its work has focused on capacity building by providing facilities, educational material, laboratories, fellowships, and faculty development. In total, China Medical Board is estimated to have invested $1–5 billion in fostering public health in Asia. The current president of China Medical Board is Dr. Lincoln Chen, who is compensated over $400,000 annually plus benefits. Some controversies arose in 2014 regarding inappropriateness use of funds arose in 2014 with a settlement to the director of business operations. Currently, China Medical Board has over $300 million invested

Activities

Today, China Medical Board focuses on health policy and systems reform and medical professional education reform. It works with 24 medical universities throughout China and in parts of Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar.