Dr. Leslie Hsia founded the Wuhan University Stomatological Hospital in 1960, known as the birthplace of China's modern dental science education.

Wuhan University Stomatological Hospital, Photo and Map View

In 1946, Leslie Hsia came to the University of Michigan School of Dentistry and obtained a master's degree in oral surgery. Using his enrollment records, we discovered a bit more about his educational journey which started at the West China Union University. The school was formed in 1910 by four Missions: the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society; the Board of Mission of the Methodist Episcopal Church, U.S.A.; the Friends' Foreign Mission Association, Great Britain and Ireland; and the General Board of Missions of the Methodist Church, Canada.

Leslie Hsia Enrollment Records | June 20, 1946

The goal of the missionaries was to bring Chinese nationals closer to a Western ideal of behavior and way-of-life. At the time of Hsia's attendance, West China Union University was the only university west of Hankow (1500 miles away).

The following is a 1939 photo of the dentistry school in which Hsia likely attended classes.

(a) Photo of medicine and dentistry schools at West China Union University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, ca.1939, (b) map of China depicting location of photograph, and (c) image of University Seal

 

We know that Hsia's family lived in the Szechuan region of China. This film depicts the Chengtu of Hsia's youth.

Video of what Chengdu in Western China looked like 70 years ago.

Photo of Ann Arbor Home in which Hsia rented a room as a student.

 

We also know that as a student at UofM, Hsia rented a room at 426 Hamilton Place in Ann Arbor. The house is still used by students today.

 

His thesis, Adamantinoma of the Jaws, is available through the University Library System. 

After receiving his degree from UofM, Hsia returned to China. Records about the period between 1949 and 1960 are not available (at least not in English) - it is fascinating nonetheless, to imagine the path that led him to such a great achievement in those years!

Scanned image of Hsia’s 1949 thesis, Adamantinoma of the Jaws