The world of Tzu Chi (Vol.110)

2019 • 05 56 Dr Lin Shinn-zong • Superintendent of Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital * Reprinted with permission from Tzu Chi Bimonthly. those words, as if she felt that her fate had been sealed by that tragic accident. “If you want to help others, you don’t necessarily have to be a nurse,” I responded. “There are all kinds of work in a hospital.” I then told her that in addition to a specialty in neurosurgery, I had a master’s degree in hospital management from Tulane University in the United States. “You can study hospital management, too.” My words seemed to give her hope. From that day on she began to study very hard. When she encountered problems in her studies, she would come to me for help. Even though I had told her she was welcome to drop by my office at any time, she never did because she did not want to disturb me in my private time. Instead, she would make appointments like a regular patient and wait outside my consulting room until it was her turn to see me. Then she would come in, open her book, and ask me to help her solve her problems. Later, in 2010, she gained admittance into the Department of Healthcare Administration at the Chung Hwa University of Medical Technology, and she also won the Presidential Education Award for her courage and perseverance in overcoming hardships. When I heard the good news, I bought a notebook computer for her as a gift. I was as happy for her as if I were her real father. “I have won many awards in my life,” I told her, “but I have never won the Presidential Education Award. You are so much better than me.” Those were not just words of comfort, but the truth. An-qi once said that the traffic accident was the greatest pain of her life. However, that accident also allowed me to take part in a medical miracle.An-qi lost her left brain—which performs tasks that have to do with language, logic, numbers, etc., and is responsible for controlling the right side of the body—but her right brain took over and performed those left- brain functions. Along the way, An-qi displayed outstanding resilience in working hard to regain those abilities. I have witnessed countless deaths in my long medical career, but I have also seen countless lives bounce back after being almost crushed. An-qi and Hong-chang were two great examples. Their calling me “Daddy Lin” was my greatest reward. The Xie family has been through a lot. They have been there for each other all along the way. From left to right: Chen Li-feng, An-qi, Hong-chang and Xie Rui-teng. umanistic Medicine