George Hatem was born in Buffalo City, New York State, USA. After he earned a doctorate at Geneva Medical University in Switzerland, he arrived in Shanghai in 1933, where he first worked in a hospital opened by his countrymen. Later, he set up a clinic of his own and often offered free medical treatment to the poor. 1n 1934, he got acquainted with some progressive foreigners in Shanghai, such as American left-wing female journalist and writer Agnes Smedley, and Rewi Alley, a New Zealander, who was then a factory inspector in the International Settlement. He joined them in studying Marxism. In November the same year, George Hatem got acquainted with Mme Soong Qing-ling. Recommended by Mme Soong and arranged by the CPC underground organizations, George Hatem, together with Edgar Snow, an American correspondent, visited the CPC-controlled areas in northern Shaanxi. George Hatem stayed there and joined the Red Army. He acted as a medical consultant to the Health Department of the Central Revolutionary Military Commission. In Yan'an, George Hatem was concurrently the medical doctor of the CPC leaders and a consultant to the foreign affairs office of the CPC Central Committee. George Hatem became a member of the CPC in 1937. 1n 1950, a year after the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC), Premier Zhou Enlai appointed him the consultant of the Ministry of Health of the PRC. After 1977, George Hatem devoted himself to the prevention and treatment of leprosy. Under his zealous advocacy and unremitting efforts, three organizations on leprosy control, i.e. the China Association of Leprosy Prevention and Treatment, China Welfare Foundation of Leprosy and China Research Center of Anti-Leprosy, were established in 1985. On Nov. 22, 1983, a grand gathering was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing to celebrate the 50 anniversary of George Hatem's life and work in China. At the gathering, Comrade Deng Xiaoping spoke highly of the outstanding contributions made by George Hatem to the Chinese revolution and construction, especially in the medical and public health area. "50 years, it's not easy," Deng said to George Hatem while holding his hands tightly.

　　George Hatem passed away on Oct. 3, 1988 in Beijing. His ashes were divided into three parts in compliance with his will, one portion was buried at the Babaoshan Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery in Beijing, another portion was buried at his birthplace---Buffalo City, and the remaining portion was scattered over the Yanhe River in Yan'an in northern Shaanxi. 

George Hatem and Mao Zedong in the yan'an Airport in 1944

Hatem is teaching Li Na (Mao Zedong's daughter) how to play table tennis in 1944.

George Hatem and his wife Zhou Sufei in Yan'an in 1944

Hatem and his wife Zhou Sufei, and Mao Zedong in the Yan'an Airport in 1944

Deng Xiaoping meets Ma Haide (George Hatem) and congratulates the American-Chinese physician on his 50 years of work in China. In the back row on the left is the writer Rewi Alley of New Zealand, who has been living in China for many years. (November 1983)