1. History
Founded in 1990, the Department of Nephrology has evolved into a nationally recognized center of excellence for kidney disease care, research, and education.
2. Honors & Accreditations
The department holds multiple prestigious designations at the national, provincial, and municipal levels:
National-Level Honors:
Key Clinical Specialty, National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (NATCM)
Key Nephrology Specialty, NATCM 11th Five-Year Plan (2006–2010)
Key TCM Discipline, NATCM 12th Five-Year Plan (2011–2015)
National Key Clinical TCM Specialty
Provincial-Level Honors:
Key Nephrology Specialty, Guangdong Province 10th Five-Year Plan (2001–2005)
High-Level Key Clinical Specialty, Guangdong Province
Municipal-Level Honors:
One of Shenzhen's First Key Medical Disciplines in Nephrology
Key Clinical TCM Specialty, Shenzhen
Academic Leadership Roles:
Vice-Chairman Unit, National TCM Nephrology Specialty Committee
Chairman Unit, TCM Nephrology Specialty Committee, Guangdong Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine
3. Leadership
Prof. Li Shunmin — Academic Leader
Prof. Yang Shudong — Academic Leader
Prof. Xiong Guoliang & Prof. Zheng Yihou — Former Administrative Directors (served successively, with outstanding contributions to departmental development)
Prof. Zeng Youjia — Department Head (since 2025)
4. Clinical Scope & Research
The department specializes in the integrated TCM-Western medicine diagnosis, treatment, research, and education of kidney diseases, including:
Primary Kidney Diseases:
Chronic renal failure / Chronic kidney disease (CKD)
Chronic nephritic syndrome
IgA nephropathy
Membranous nephropathy
Secondary Kidney Diseases:
Diabetic nephropathy
Urolithiasis (urinary tract stones)
Renal Replacement Therapy & Vascular Access:
Hemodialysis and vascular access surgery
Peritoneal dialysis
TCM-Defined Kidney Disorders:
Kidney-related lumbago (lower back pain)
Kidney-related frequency-urgency syndrome
Ranking: Ranked 16th nationwide in the 2024 China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Specialty Influence Index.
5. Clinical Operations & Capacity
3 inpatient wards with 123 beds
122 medical staff, including:
2 Guangdong Province Famous TCM Doctors
5 Shenzhen Famous TCM Doctors
8 Doctoral Supervisors
15 Master's Supervisors
Annual Clinical Volume:
Outpatient visits: ~140,000
Inpatient admissions: 4,100+
Dialysis sessions: 43,000+
Specialty surgeries: 400+
Long-term follow-up patients: 500+ (hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis)
Specialty Clinics:
CKD Chronic Disease Management Clinic
IgA Nephropathy Clinic
Chronic Renal Failure Clinic
Membranous Nephropathy Clinic
Diabetic Nephropathy Clinic
Hemodialysis Vascular Access Clinic
Peritoneal Dialysis Clinic
6. Academic Collaboration & Heritage
Under Shenzhen's "Three Famous" Medical Project (Famous Doctors, Hospitals, and Clinics), the department has successively partnered with:
National TCM Master Prof. Zhang Daning and his team
Prof. Zhang Mianzhi from Tianjin Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine
To preserve and transmit the academic legacy of renowned senior TCM practitioners, the department has established:
National TCM Master Zhang Daning Studio
Guangdong Province Famous TCM Doctor Luo Jijie Studio
Guangdong Province Famous TCM Doctor Li Shunmin Studio
7. Innovation, Research & Achievements
Proprietary Formulations:
The department has developed a series of hospital-based preparations and consensus prescriptions that fully leverage TCM advantages, including:
Shenyanxiao Granules (肾炎消颗粒, Nephritis-Resolving Granules)
Shenshuifu Granules (肾衰复颗粒, Renal Failure Recovery Granules)
Niaoshiqing Granules (尿石清颗粒, Urinary Stone-Clearing Granules)
Based on the "Spleen-Strengthening and Kidney-Tonifying" (健脾益肾) academic theory and corresponding herbal formulations, these treatments have demonstrated significant efficacy and earned multiple national, provincial, and municipal awards.
Innovative Technology:
The department's self-developed Remote PD Follow-Up System has reduced the risk of heart failure in peritoneal dialysis patients by 74%. This achievement has received:
Guangdong Provincial Medical Science and Technology Award
National Excellence Case Award
Research Portfolio:
50+ national, provincial, and municipal research projects
~30 million RMB in total research funding
10+ edited or co-edited monographs and clinical guidelines
20+ authorized patents
~20 national, provincial, and municipal awards
300+ published academic papers
8. Vision & Mission
"Inheriting the essence of Qi-Huang, safeguarding the root of kidney vitality."
Future Goal: To establish a National TCM Nephrology Regional Diagnosis and Treatment Center.
Strategic Priorities:
Deepen the synergistic integration of medical care, education, research, and industry (医教研产)
Integrate modern diagnostic and therapeutic technologies
Build a comprehensive syndrome differentiation and treatment system spanning the entire kidney disease continuum
Place patient needs at the core, constructing a distinctive medical service framework of "precision diagnosis, whole-course management, and holistic mind-body treatment"
