Shanghai Chest Hospital—looking forward

It is a distinct honor for me to provide a commentary on this 2017 Annual report from the Shanghai Chest Hospital (SCH) (1). I have had a close relationship with this institution and many of its outstanding surgeons for several decades. This 2017 Report is a remarkable document. The tripartite mission of every excellent academic medical center is patient care, education and research scholarship. The SCH is fulfilling this mission in every respect. I would like to make a number of observations about current activity, focus and opportunities for future progress.