On July 10–11, 2025, Professor Steven Campbell, Chair of Urology at West Virginia University, visited the Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center (SYSUCC) for a two-day academic exchange. His visit brought an international, cutting-edge perspective to SYSUCC’s Department of Urology while also showcasing the department’s achievements to peers worldwide.
Cleveland Clinic’s Department of Urology has been ranked No. 1 in the United States by U.S. News & World Report (2023–2025), with a residency program recognized for both its scale and national standing. Professor Campbell previously served as Vice Chair and Residency Program Director at Cleveland Clinic. In June 2025, he joined West Virginia University Hospitals as Chair of Urology.
Professor Fangjian Zhou, the department’s senior mentor, and Professor Zhiling Zhang, the department’s Party Secretary, welcomed Professor Campbell. Accompanied by colleagues, he toured the third urology ward at SYSUCC’s Huangpu Campus and the main operating suite. He then observed a complex robot-assisted partial nephrectomy performed by Professor Zhiling Zhang. Leveraging advanced minimally invasive techniques and strong team coordination, the surgical team executed a precise tumor resection. After the observation, Professor Campbell remarked, “The inpatient environment is excellent, the facilities are state-of-the-art, and the nursing team’s management is exemplary. Professor Zhang’s advanced minimally invasive skills and the team’s seamless collaboration were truly impressive.”
On the morning of July 11, Professor Campbell held an academic discussion with Professors Fangjian Zhou and Zhiling Zhang and the department’s junior faculty and trainees. A former lead author of the renal cancer chapter of the American Urological Association (AUA) guidelines, Professor Campbell has published extensively in top journals including European Urology, BJUI, and the Journal of Urology, and is internationally recognized for his work in renal cancer and renal function. He gave a concise overview of several recent studies from his group and shared lessons learned over more than two decades in research with young physicians and students. Presentations followed from Dr. Longbin Xiong and doctoral candidates Xiangpeng Zou, Yunhan Luo, and Xin Luo, who reported progress on their respective projects. Professor Campbell spoke highly of the presentations, offered substantive suggestions, and engaged in a lively discussion with the group.
Following the academic session, Professor Campbell visited the Clinical Skills Training Center at the Huangpu Campus, where Instructor Yubao Tan introduced the facility layout and current training programs. Professor Zhiling Zhang then provided an in-depth briefing on the Department of Urology’s development, its current disease-specific care model, and recent technical innovations. Professor Campbell expressed admiration for China’s rapid advances in healthcare in recent years and praised SYSUCC’s accomplishments in urology, particularly the department’s excellence in robotic surgery. He also conveyed his hope to establish long-term collaboration with SYSUCC.
This visit offered SYSUCC clinicians a valuable opportunity to interact directly with a leading international expert and built a bridge for collaboration between SYSUCC and world-class medical institutions. Looking ahead, both sides plan to deepen cooperation across clinical practice, research innovation, and talent development—jointly advancing the field of urology.
