The world of Tzu Chi Apr-Jun 2023 (Vol.146)

eople By Ho Sook Yin Translated by Lee Hung Jiew Photo by Leong Chian Yee 2023 • 03 16 Pure Compassion: A Purposeful Life in Practising Medicine A doctor with unwavering compassion, Dr. Tan Hooi Chien not only treats illnesses and alleviates her patients’ sufferings, but also listens to the Dharma and internalises the teachings. When confronted with an unexpected illness, she faced it with calmness and continues to lead a purposeful life. T an Hooi Chien, who is over 70 years old, is a direct and straightforward person, widely known among Tzu Chi volunteers as Dr. Tan. With outstanding academic achievements, she successfully gained admission to her preferred institution and studied Medicine at the Taipei Medical University. Upon completion of her internship in September 1974, she returned to Malaysia. Filled with courage, akin to the Chinese saying, “A new-born calf is unafraid of the tiger,” she left Penang for Kuala Lumpur and walked into the office of the Ministry of Health Malaysia, declaring her desire to secure employment at government hospitals. A week later, she received notification of her assignment to serve at the Penang General Hospital. Recalling the amusing experience of her job search, Dr. Tan smiled and said, “Thereafter, I was stationed in Kedah, serving in Alor Setar, Sungai Petani, and Baling, before finally being posted to Kuala Lumpur General Hospital as an Internal Medicine doctor.”