Dr. Frank Morris-Davies is dedicated to serving the Shanghai community. Dr. Morris-Davies was trained in Italy and has been serving as the officially appointed physician for the Italian Consulate in Shanghai. He is also Chief of the Family Medicine Department and one of the most popular physicians at SinoUnited Health.
Dr. Morris-Davies recently won the 2018 Shanghai Magnolia Award by the Shanghai government for his great contributions to the Shanghai community in the area of health care and economic development.
Dr. Morris-Davies receives the Shanghai Magnolia award. Image via Dr. Frank Morris-Davies
An International Doctor and Entrepreneur
Having worked in Shanghai for nearly nine years, Dr. Morris-Davies is well-known among the Chinese and foreign health communities. He is the official physician for the Italian Consulate and has many patients, both Chinese and foreign. Speaking fluent English, Italian and advanced Mandarin, he has a special interest in clinical dermatology, pediatrics, travel medicine and sexual health.
In early 2016, Dr. Morris-Davies set up SinoUnited Health with Dr. Kathy Shi, a renowned cardiologist, now CEO of SinoUnited Health. "We opened three clinics within two years," he said. "We provide job opportunities for people who live in Shanghai for both Chinese and foreign staff."
Dr. Frank (left) with Dr. Kathy Shi (right). Image via Dr. Frank Morris-Davies
Why China?
Dr. Morris-Davies is three-quarters Italian and a quarter Welsh but was born in Melbourne, Australia. He holds both Australian and British citizenship. After studying and training in Italy as a physician, he went to the UK for post-graduate training in General Practice (GP). He met his wife in Wales, who is Chinese, from Taipei.
Three years later, they moved to London. Dr. Morris-Davies worked there as a GP for 18 years, including partnership in a medical clinic for nine years and running his own medical clinic for seven years.
What motivated them to move to China are their two boys, who are half-Chinese. "After 18 years in the UK, we both found it important to give them a solid Chinese education," Dr. Morris-Davies explained. "Not just reading and writing, but also to have a good understanding of Chinese culture." So in March 2010, the whole family moved to Shanghai permanently.
Dr. Morris-Davies with his two sons. Image via Dr. Frank Morris-Davies
"After nine years, I think it was an excellent decision moving to China," he said. He is happy to see his boys speak fluent Chinese and have a good understanding of the Chinese culture. What’s more important, he has set up his profession in Shanghai, a career that he is so passionate about – working in partnership and seeing patients at SinoUnited Health.
High-Quality Service and Patients First
SinoUnited Health is founded based on a shared goal to provide an exceptional caring service for all patients and putting patients first.
"I have worked with Kathy in the past for three or four years. I respect her as a physician and like her very much as a person," Dr. Morris-Davies said. "One day, in the summer of 2015, Kathy called me asking if I would be interested in setting up a new clinic. I said, yes, absolutely."
With the same concept in mind, he and Kathy sat down and talked. A few months later, they started the procedures to set up a high-quality medical company: from finding the clinic to registering the company name, from buying high-end medical equipment to recruiting excellent doctors.
In February 2016, SinoUnited Health’s first clinic – Shanghai Center Clinic opened. "High-quality, caring service" and "patient first" are two of the core values of the company.
For Dr. Morris-Davies, SinoUnited Health provides him with a platform doing what he wants to do – providing the best quality care for his patients. He always regards himself as a team worker, as a family physician. Most of his working time is spent with patients.
"I treat patients with respect and look after them like I would look after my friends or family," he said. Many of his patients can contact him directly via WeChat or mobile phone.
At SinoUnited Health, a GP physician usually sees a maximum of three patients per hour, which guarantees each patient a minimum of 20 minutes of time with the doctor. However, this also depends on the presenting complaint. (For example, an ill patient can take up even one hour of a physician’s time).
The GP+Specialist System
The integrated system of General Practitioner and Specialists (GP+Specialist) is a highlight of SinoUnited Health. Dr. Morris-Davies is the one who introduced the UK’s GP system into SinoUnited Health. Patients see the GP first and after a detailed medical evaluation, the GP will then either treat the patient or refer them to the right specialist.
"General Practice is essential for the general health of the population," he explained. "The Chinese government has already made steps to set up the GP system and has been training Chinese doctors to be GPs." GPs can solve the majority of patient's health problems. They are the people’s health guardian.
Dr. Morris-Davies speaking with GI specialist Dr. Justin Zhu. Image via Dr. Frank Morris-Davies
"As a GP, I see my patient as a whole person (not only physically, but also psychologically, socially and spiritually) instead of seeing a person with a medical problem," Dr. Morris-Davies said. One case stood out to him in particular. "A patient saw me with a sore throat," he said. "However, during the visit, I noticed this patient had yellow marks on her eyelids, which could be a symptom of high cholesterol. I arranged a blood test, which showed raised cholesterol. I started her on medication to lower her cholesterol and referred her to see an eye doctor to have the lesions removed."
Always a Physician
For Dr. Morris-Davies, looking after his patients is his highest mandate and mission.
Though SinoUnited Health as a company is growing bigger and bigger, he says he will never forget that at the end of the day, he is a physician first and foremost and he is here to serve the Shanghai community.
[Cover image via Dr. Frank Morris-Davies]
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