About Norman Bethune
Henry Norman Bethune (; March 4, 1890 – November 12, 1939; Chinese: 白求恩) was a Canadian thoracic surgeon, early advocate of universal health care, and member of the Communist Party of Canada. Bethune came to international prominence first for his service as a frontline trauma surgeon supporting the Republican government during the Spanish Civil War, and later supporting the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) Eighth Route Army during the Second Sino-Japanese War. Bethune helped bring modern medicine to rural China, treating both sick villagers and wounded soldiers. He died from infection during an operation, prompting Mao Zedong to dedicate a eulogy to him. He remains widely commemorated in China today. Bethune became increasingly concerned with the socio-economic aspects of disease. In 1935 Bethune travelled to the Soviet Union to observe firsthand their system of universal free health care.
Biography source: Wikipedia. The profile adds birthday-specific historical context from the Celebs Birthday Today editorial database.