Page 73 - Hualien Sustainable Living Bilingual Magazine

However, even after the completion of the hospital’s construction, it had no doctors at the beginning of its operation, so Master Cheng Yen asked doctors from National Taiwan University Hospital to come help out.“In the cold wind, senior members of Tzu Chi waited at the entrance of NTU Hospital for doctors to leave work, asking if they would be able to travel to Hualien this week.” An outpatient department without permanent doctors was not a long-term solution, so Master Cheng Yen decided to train medical personnel who would be willing to serve eastern Taiwan and other remote areas. After planning and establishing the Tzu Chi College of Nursing, Tzu Chi College of Medicine (now Tzu Chi University) was also founded. Since the establishment of the nursing school in 1989, more than half of the nursing staff and doctors in eastern Taiwan are alumni of Tzu Chi University. President Liu said with a smile that it is not easy to run the school, but just thinking of Master Cheng Yen’s determination and perseverance to overcome even harsher difficulties inspires her to carry on.“After all the challenges the Master has overcome, how can I as a university president say that I cannot do it?” Tzu Chi has a unique three-track counseling mechanism that Tzu Chi personnel are most proud of―the Tzu-Cheng and Yi-Te Association, which“consists of distinguished members of society, including entrepreneurs, doctors, board of directors of international schools, directors of small and medium-sized enterprises, and other successful people from all walks of life, who educate students through caring companionship and teaching by example.”President Liu said that the members of the Tzu-Cheng and Yi-Te Association that are parents often provide their time and resources to support the students, which helps the university strengthen its counseling functions. In addition, the“Tzu-Yi Café”on campus is a place for teachers, students, and parents to interact with each other. 68 Hualien Issue