To recognize and celebrate the Chinese New Year, we invited UAB General Surgery Resident Rongzhi Wang, MBBS, to speak with our Access & Engagement Committee about his Chinese heritage and his connection to the holiday.

January 29 marked the start of the celebration of Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, and also referred to as the Lunar New Year in other countries. This 15-day festival begins on the first new moon of the lunar calendar, typically falling between January 29 and February 4. Widely regarded as the most important holiday in Chinese culture, it signifies the transition from winter to spring. Each year in the Chinese zodiac is associated with one of 12 animals and one of five elements. The year 2025 is represented by the Wood Snake, symbolizing growth, flexibility, and tolerance.

Below, read the conversation between Wang and Access and Engagement Committee member Victor Perim, M.D.

Can you tell us about your background and how you came to UAB?

"I was born and raised in Liaoning Province, in the northeast region of China. The climate there is similar to Boston, with hot summers and very cold, snowy winters. I matched at UAB in 2019 after completing medical school and have been here for six years. I completed two years of research during residency, and I am currently in my fourth year of clinical training."

What is your current specialty interest, and what kind of research have you conducted?

"I am interested in pursuing an endocrine surgery fellowship and becoming an academic surgeon. My research has focused on endocrine surgery, specifically studying surgical outcomes for patients who have end-stage renal disease or kidney transplant with secondary and tertiary hyperparathyroidism."

What do you appreciate most about your time at UAB?

"I have really enjoyed the Southern hospitality—it is similar to Chinese culture in the sense that people are warm and welcoming. The weather is also a big plus compared to my hometown. Most importantly, UAB offers excellent clinical training and numerous research opportunities. If you have an idea, the faculty will support and help you pursue it."

How does the Chinese New Year differ from Western celebrations, and how do you celebrate it in the U.S.?

"The Chinese New Year follows the lunar calendar, making it different from the Gregorian calendar. In China, it is the biggest festival of the year, with at least a seven-day holiday for family gatherings, large meals, and celebrations. However, in the U.S., especially in Birmingham where the Asian community is smaller, I do not celebrate as much."

Chinese New Year is known for its rich culinary traditions. Can you tell us more about the traditional dishes enjoyed during this celebration?

"China is a relatively big country with diverse regional traditions, so the way people celebrate varies significantly. I am from the north, where making dumplings is a cherished tradition, especially in winter. Dumpling-making is a team effort—one person prepares the dough, another makes the filling, someone else rolls out the wrappers, and then everyone joins in to wrap the dumplings. They can be steamed, boiled, or pan-fried. Since my hometown is inland, we usually cook pork, beef, or chicken for the New Year’s dinner. In contrast, where seafood is more abundant, people from the south often incorporate fish and other seafood into their dishes."

What traditions or memories from Chinese New Year stand out to you?

"One of my fondest memories is the tradition of receiving red pockets, which are red envelopes filled with cash from older relatives. Growing up, we would visit grandparents and other family members on New Year’s Day to wish them a Happy New Year, and they would give us these red pockets as a token of good luck. It is similar to what some families in other cultures do with giving children money on special occasions."

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This story was written by UAB Department of Surgery postdoctoral researcher and member of the Access and Engagement Committee Victor Perim, M.D.