When people hear "plastic surgery," many might think of cosmetic procedures like fillers or facelifts. However, for a dedicated group of plastic surgeons in Taiwan, their daily work is vastly different. They are, in essence, "life repairers," committed to restoring function and dignity to those who have suffered severe injuries or illnesses. This profound dedication was celebrated at the book launch of Gentleness Under the Blade (刀鋒下的溫柔) on September 18, 2025, at Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, bringing together many of these compassionate medical professionals and the individuals whose lives they transformed.

A Legacy of Healing in Eastern Taiwan

The field of plastic surgery in Taiwan began to emerge in the late 1950s, initially focused on reconstructing injuries sustained during wartime. By the 1980s, systematic training programs were established. A pivotal moment for Eastern Taiwan came in 1988 when Dr. Shou-Hsin Chien (簡守信), trained at National Taiwan University Hospital, crossed the Central Mountain Range to bring plastic surgery services to the Hualien-Taitung region. His arrival marked the beginning of specialized care for residents in this often-underserved area.

Chin-Lon Lin (林俊龍), CEO of the Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, expressed deep gratitude for the plastic surgeons who often undertake lengthy and complex operations, enabling patients to regain their lives. He noted that Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital is approaching its 40th anniversary, and many surgeons, including Dr. Shou-Hsin Chien, Vice Superintendent Pei-Rong Chen (陳培榕), Director Chun-Ta Lee (李俊達), and Dr. Li-Fu Cheng (鄭立福), have served for over three decades. He highlighted the critical collaboration between ENT and plastic surgery teams, especially in treating the high incidence of oral and head and neck cancers in Eastern Taiwan. "Thanks to their close cooperation, our patients' five-year survival rates are among the best in Taiwan and even globally," CEO Lin stated. "This book, Gentleness Under the Blade, is a precious record of the arduous professional persistence and legacy of plastic surgery, and it is a glory for Tzu Chi's medical mission."

Vice Superintendent Pei-Rong Chen of Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the vital role of plastic surgeons in reconstructive procedures after tumor removal. "We have walked a difficult path together, and now we collaborate on over a hundred surgeries annually. The miraculous reconstructive work of the plastic surgery team is truly astonishing, making this book particularly moving."

A Second Chance at Life: Hsiu-Cheng Huang's Story

Among the many lives touched by these surgeons, Hsiu-Cheng Huang's (黃秀政) story stands out as a testament to resilience and the power of dedicated medical care. Nearly thirty years ago, at just 17, Hsiu-Cheng Huang was severely injured in a truck accident while buying pudding with her younger brother. Rushed to Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, she was in critical condition with extensive bleeding and shattered abdominal and pelvic cavities. A multidisciplinary team, including orthopedic, general, cardiovascular, and plastic surgeons, worked against the clock to save her.

Dr. Shou-Hsin Chien, who returned to Hualien for the book launch, vividly recalled Hsiu-Cheng Huang's case. "Thirty years ago in Hualien, saving a life like hers was incredibly difficult, but we succeeded thanks to our team, including the nurses and volunteers who provided companionship." Hsiu-Cheng Huang underwent seventeen surgeries. The sound of the nursing cart approaching for dressing changes filled her with dread, even at night when it was for other patients. Recognizing her fear, the nurses would lift the cart as they passed her room, moving silently to ensure she could rest. Dr. Chien praised Hsiu-Cheng Huang as a courageous survivor, who, at 17, showed immense perseverance to overcome her challenges and rehabilitate.

Hsiu-Cheng Huang, now a middle-aged woman with a radiant smile, expressed profound gratitude to Master Cheng Yen for establishing Tzu Chi Hospital in remote Hualien, benefiting countless local residents. She also thanked the entire medical team for saving her life during her most perilous moments. "I was hospitalized for over half a year, eight months in total, often experiencing severe hemorrhages in the middle of the night. Dr. Chien would rush to the operating room to stop the bleeding and save me, time and again. At one point, amputation was suggested to save my life, but I stubbornly told Dr. Chien, 'If I have to lose a limb, I don't want to live!'"

Hsiu-Cheng Huang recounted that Dr. Chien didn't promise anything but scheduled her surgery for the first day of the Lunar New Year. "No doctor would operate on Lunar New Year's Day, but I had my surgery then, and my leg was saved!" She shared that whenever she travels and sees beautiful scenery, she is overcome with emotion, grateful to Tzu Chi and the medical team. She later became a well-known pressed flower art teacher in Hualien's schools. At the book launch, she presented Dr. Chien with a Japanese Rinpa-style glue painting she created, featuring hydrangeas. The small flowers within the hydrangeas symbolize the medical staff working together to care for patients, and the hydrangea's language of flowers—dedication and happiness—expressed her deep gratitude to Dr. Chien, who spent his entire Lunar New Year holiday in the hospital caring for her.

Expanding Compassionate Care

The dedication of Tzu Chi's plastic surgeons extends beyond individual cases. Director Chun-Ta Li of Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital's Plastic Surgery Department has not only performed numerous post-operative reconstructions for head and neck cancer patients and pioneered a new "super micro-rotary shaver excision" technique for varicose veins, but he has also participated in complex international medical cases in Hualien, including the separation of conjoined twins. He acknowledged Dr. Shou-Hsin Chien's foundational work in Hualien, establishing the first burn treatment center and plastic surgery training center in Eastern Taiwan. "Thankfully, I haven't let his efforts go to waste; I've continued to work hard, and I'm very grateful to the Hualien plastic surgery team. These medical professionals allow us to continue safeguarding patients. Even with the advanced state of cosmetic surgery today, Tzu Chi's plastic surgery departments remain steadfast in our commitment to reconstructive surgery for patients."

Dr. Li-Fu Cheng, affectionately known as "Brother Fu" at Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, has saved countless patients in Eastern Taiwan over three decades and is consistently voted an excellent teacher by medical students. He constantly devises innovative treatments, particularly for chronic wounds. Dr. Cheng humbly refers to himself as an "old soldier" specializing in chronic wound treatment, a title that also signifies his wisdom and experience in teaching. He explained that chronic wounds are often difficult to heal, requiring collaboration with cardiovascular specialists to improve blood flow and combat infection, combined with patient and loving care. "We are old soldiers, but the new generation can still work for thirty or forty years. It is our responsibility to pass on our skills."

Passing on Expertise and Virtue

The Tzu Chi plastic surgery system began at Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital with Dr. Shou-Hsin Chien's pioneering efforts, followed by Chun-Ta Li and Li-Fu Cheng, who formed a "golden triangle" of care. They provided emergency relief for accident and industrial injury survivors in remote areas, supported various surgical reconstructions, and established a legacy of training new generations. Subsequent generations of surgeons, including Chieh-Chi Huang (黃介琦), Chien-Hsing Wang (王健興), Chih-Ming Lin (林志明), Hung-Ta Hsu (許宏達), Chao-Chih Yang (楊超智), and Tzu Chi University medical graduates like Meng-Hsi Wu and Chun-Chi Chuang (莊濬綦), have grown to become independent directors or senior physicians across Tzu Chi hospitals in Hualien, Dalin, and Taichung. In Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Dr. Chun-Te Lu (盧純德) joined in 2005 and played a crucial role during the 2015 Ba Xian Dust Explosion, organizing plastic surgeons from various Tzu Chi hospitals to care for over a dozen severely burned survivors.

Dr. Meng-Hsi Wu, an attending plastic surgeon at Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital and a graduate of Tzu Chi University's first medical class, humorously noted his twenty years of experience, yet acknowledged the senior doctors at the book launch had over thirty years. He likened Tzu Chi Hospital to a rescue ship and plastic surgery to a lifeline ladder, with the senior doctors as strong hooks at the top, securing the ladder with their medical skills and teaching. "We, the younger ones, are like radishes, hooking onto each other to form a chain. Every year, trainees at Tzu Chi Hospital are nurtured without a single loss. For so many years, everyone has worked together to support plastic surgery care 'east of the Central Mountain Range,' and I am honored to be a part of it." A group of young surgeons and specialized nurses also attended the book launch to support their mentors.

The gathering concluded with warm applause and positive feedback from medical professionals and the public, marking a heartwarming moment of shared stories and appreciation. Tzu Chi's plastic surgeons continue to stand firm in their commitment, safeguarding patients' lives and futures.

Written by Chin-Yen Yang (楊金燕), Jean-Ru Hong (洪靜茹), Zhih-Yi Lin (林芷儀), Julia Tseng (曾慶方)

Translated by Mindy Chen (陳敏理)

Source: 刀鋒下的溫柔：慈濟整形外科的愛與傳承