Research, Residency, and Romance Blossom for LECOM Couple

In the realm of research and medical education, in the arena of scientific discovery, the pledge to a cause beyond oneself underscores the essence and the very being of those who would work within the field of medicine and who would serve as a leader at an estimable educational institution. Few individuals better demonstrate and affirm these results and accomplishments than does Dr. Ping He, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Assistant Professor of Biochemistry.

For several years, Dr. He’s many proficiencies and outstanding and reliable performance of his educational undertakings have burnished the glistening emblem of exceptionalism that is LECOM.

Recently, Dr. Ping He and his team of LECOM researchers have published a study focusing upon phosphate toxicity. Inorganic phosphate (Pi) is an essential nutrient for human health. The expansive research article was a result of a LECOM team of two professors, three students, and one technician.

The key study helps to raise social awareness of Pi toxicity and it highlights the importance of preventing dietary Pi overload. The noteworthy work was published as a full 21-page research article for the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) April 2020 Journal. The society was founded in 1912, and the highly cited Journal consistently ranks among the top biology journals globally.

Dr. He along with Mohammed Razzaque, PhD, LECOM Professor of Pathology, and third-year medical students, Jacob Fling and Olivia MannCollura, co-authored the article.

“Our recent work was published as a result of 100% LECOM support. I would like to express my thankfulness to Dr. Silvia M. Ferretti, LECOM Provost, Senior Vice President, and Dean of Academic Affairs and to LECOM,” noted Dr. He.

Dr. He’s wife, Dr. Yueling Li, is a LECOM psychiatry resident at Millcreek Community Hospital (MCH). Dr. Li obtained her medical degree from Dalian Medical University, China, where Drs. He and Li were classmates.

After graduation, the duo pursued their Ph.D. degrees at two different universities in Beijing, and the couple was married after earning their degrees. To support Dr. He’s study, Dr. Li accompanied her husband to San Diego, California where they had two sons.

In 2018, Dr. Li participated in the psychiatry residency program at Millcreek Community Hospital; and to support Dr. Li’s work, the entire family relocated to Erie.

“Luckily and thankfully, I was offered an Assistant Professor position at LECOM, where I can research and teach,” remarked a grateful Dr. He.

Despite the hectic lifestyle as a resident, Dr. Li continuously supports Dr. He’s work at LECOM by sharing household duties and offering research ideas.

LECOM supports and advances medical lifestyles and it values the importance of family. Drs. He and Li have demonstrated that research, residency, and romance can indeed work seamlessly in concert.