He Diagnosed a Need in China

When it comes to pediatricians, kids and medicine are their favorite topics. Pediatrician Dr. Lawrence Ross of Santa Monica recently found that’s true in China as well as the United States when he traveled to Guangzhou, China (formerly the province of Canton) as part of the Los Angeles-Guangzhou Sister City Society.

The relationship between the two cities began as a cooperative business venture several years ago and has expanded to include an exchange of medical information. The sister-city organization contributes medical textbooks, which remain in short supply after China’s medical libraries were burned during the cultural revolution of the 1960s.

With the help of a translator, Ross, a pediatric disease specialist, lectured on topics such as advances in health care, infectious diseases and immunization. He also participated in discussions with Chinese physicians and medical students.

Ross said there was no talk of the political differences between the U.S. and Chinese governments during his weeklong stay.

“They were extremely interested in (our) advances,” he said. “I thought many of them were quite knowledgeable, and they appreciate it when doctors come over and (discuss) points of view, therapies and diagnosis.”

He found that Chinese parents and grandparents were more concerned about their children’s health than their counterparts in the United States. He speculated that part of the reason for that might be that because of government policy, most Chinese families have only one child.

Ross is on the staff of Childrens Hospital in Los Angeles.

Evelyn Wong was recently appointed to serve on the Commission on Women in Higher Education, which is affiliated with the American Council on Education in Washington.

Wong, who will serve for three years, was also appointed to the board of directors for the statewide Asian and Pacific Americans in Higher Education organization.

Wong is president of West Los Angeles College.

The California Museum of Science and Industry and Nestle Corp. have named the 1992 California State Science Fair Winners.

Westside student winners include Matthew Burns of Culver City, Shannon Calde, Rebecca Lyon and Kazi Mohiuddin, all of Los Angeles, and John Hodder of Playa del Rey. Students competed against 625 finalists in categories ranging from behavioral sciences to zoology.

They received cash prizes for their efforts.

Items can be mailed to People, Suite 200, 1717 4th St., Santa Monica 90401.