Dr. Ma Jianjun, Director of the Orthopedics Department at Chongqing Yudong Hospital—an HCHORIZON member hospital—has been named a recipient of the 2026 National May Day Labor Medal, according to the list recently released by the All-China Federation of Trade Unions. The honor marks not only a personal achievement for Dr. Ma but also a testament to HCHORIZON's long-running commitment to strengthening grassroots healthcare and systematically cultivating high-quality medical professionals.

As FEHORIZON's healthcare arm, HCHORIZON has always put talent at the core of its strategy, working to create an environment where doctors serving local communities can grow into leaders in their fields. At a time when the nation is calling for greater recognition of model workers, dedication to labor, and the spirit of craftsmanship, this orthopedist from an HCHORIZON member hospital has delivered an inspiring answer through more than two decades of persistence and professional growth.

Nearly 1,000 Surgeries a Year, 300 Late Nights in the OR

Nearly 1,000 orthopedic surgeries performed or led by him every year

On 300 days each year, the hospital's operating lights stay on late into the night for him

Over 20 years on the job, helping countless patients get back on their feet

Behind these striking figures lie two defining aspects of Dr. Ma's career: he is both a technological pioneer who has ushered his department into the era of robotic surgery, and a caring physician who insists on making personal follow-up visits after surgery. Through surgical precision and genuine compassion, he has come to personify the role of a "guardian of joint health."

A Doctor's Lifelong Mission: Protecting Patients' Joints

Asked why he chose orthopedics, Dr. Ma Jianjun's eyes reveal both honesty and resolve. "During my clinical internship, I saw many patients suffering from joint problems—struggling to move, their quality of life severely diminished. Those scenes stayed with me." From that point on, he was determined to devote his career to joint orthopedics, helping patients restore function and return to normal living.

Over the past two decades, he has pursued advanced training at some of the country's leading hospitals, including Southwest Hospital of Army Medical University, Chinese PLA General Hospital, and the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, learning from top orthopedic specialists across China to build a strong professional foundation.

Advancing from Traditional Precision to Smart Innovation

Dr. Ma Jianjun has a well-earned reputation for diagnostic rigor. Whether in the clinic, at the bedside, or in the operating room, his commitment to "precision" shapes every surgery he performs. "Joint replacement isn't just about swapping out parts. It's a highly precise, systematic process. Every step counts—from preoperative assessment and implant selection to surgical technique and postoperative rehab."

In recent years, new technologies have been transforming joint orthopedics. Dr. Ma took his team to Peking University Third Hospital for advanced training, then brought back state-of-the-art smart orthopedic technologies and minimally invasive techniques to Fengjie. Today, the hip, knee, and shoulder replacements, revision surgeries, and minimally invasive arthroscopic procedures performed by his team lead northeastern Chongqing in both volume and complexity. His department was also among the first in Chongqing's district- and county-level hospitals to adopt robotic joint surgery and joint-preserving procedures, pushing surgical precision to new heights.

Over 50 Community Outreach Events a Year, More Than 1,000 Low-Income Patients Treated

Compassionate Care: Diagnosis Goes Beyond the Image – It Starts with a Conversation

"You can't rely on scans alone. You have to consider the patient's history, symptoms, and physical signs," Dr. Ma often tells his team. "Some early arthritis may not show up on an image. But by asking the right questions—how does it hurt when you walk? Is there swelling?—you can start to figure things out." After a patient goes home, he makes house calls with his team to check on their recovery, extending care from the hospital straight to the patient's doorstep.

To make health information more accessible, he gets creative. He produces short videos and articles in the local Chongqing dialect, keeping things engaging and easy to understand. Over the past year, he has led his team in more than 50 patient engagement and health education events across local communities and townships.

A Broader Mission: From Health Poverty Alleviation to Supporting Children in Need

As the lead expert for screening poverty caused by illness in Fengjie County, Dr. Ma Jianjun has thrown himself into health poverty alleviation, making regular trips to villages and homes to conduct disease screening and provide treatment. Each year, he treats over 1,000 low-income patients. He also sponsors underprivileged children year after year, living out the healer's core commitment of "putting people first." Rich or poor, mild case or severe, Dr. Ma treats every patient with equal patience and compassion. His warmth and skill have earned him deep trust and widespread praise from the local community.

From County-Level to National Honors, Dedication Shines Through

Dr. Ma Jianjun's commitment to compassionate care has earned him wide recognition across society.

Previously, he received honors including the Chongqing May Day Labor Medal, a spot among the first ten "Kuizhou Famous Doctors" in Fengjie County, the 2024 award for "Outstanding Individual in Model Worker Demonstration and Excellence Campaign," and the title of "Good Person of Fengjie." As a two-term member of the Fengjie County Political Consultative Conference, he has actively offered advice on regional healthcare development. As the county's lead expert for screening poverty caused by illness, he has been deeply involved in health poverty alleviation, personally treating more than 1,000 impoverished patients.

Now, he has stepped onto a national stage to receive the National May Day Labor Medal—the highest tribute to his unwavering dedication over two decades.

When he learned of the award, Dr. Ma had just finished a surgery. He said, "This award isn't for me alone. It belongs to the entire team, and to every HCHORIZON doctor working at the grassroots level."His next steps are clear and resolute: this honor is a new starting line. He aims to deepen and refine robotic joint surgery techniques, while also mentoring his team to help more young physicians grow.

Specialists and medical talent development form a vital foundation for elevating grassroots healthcare standards. HCHORIZON has always put "patient-centered and clinician-centered" care at its core. Through a full-framework talent development mechanism and by connecting cutting-edge medical resources both at home and abroad, it provides healthcare professionals working at the grassroots with broader opportunities to grow, drives continuous breakthroughs in clinical disciplines, and steadily strengthens the talent pipeline.

Every doctor serving at the grassroots level deserves the conditions to grow into a benchmark. Looking ahead, FEHORIZON will continue to empower healthcare development with its industrial strength, supporting HCHORIZON in strengthening its academic disciplines and cultivating outstanding talent. It will bring safer, higher-quality, and more compassionate medical services directly to the people, ensuring that more "technical pioneers and caring physicians" safeguard public health and well-being. In doing so, it will turn the vision of "Quality Healthcare Within Reach" into a reality, and uphold its founding mission as it helps build a Healthy China.