Modern medicine has come a long way, but viewed only from the outside, as a living organism, the human body holds many unseen mysteries, and so the best way for medical professionals to learn is through dissection and surgical simulations on cadavers. Before Tzu Chi called for cadaver donations 15 years ago, medical institutions in Taiwan suffered a severe shortage of bodies for study and research. We now look at how Tzu Chi's Silent Mentors are helping transform not only Taiwan's medical services and practices, but the whole world's, as well, showing everyone how even in death, we all can give the gift of life.
Surgery-simulation recognized by WSJ
On April 22, 2009, the Wall Street Journal published an article "Poems and Tears for 'Silent Mentors' Spark a Surge of Cadavers in Taiwan", presenting the story of Hualien Tzu Chi University's surgery-simulation to its 20 some million readers world wide.
The journalist, Ian Johnson, who is a winner of a 2001 Pulitzer, participated in the university's surgery-simulation for the report, and was touched by the practice.
The Wall Street Journal reporter, Ian Johnson:
The families of the donors, the students, and the instructors are as one. I am very touched by what I see. The world has been looking for ways to strengthen our medical service.
Medical professionals share knowledge
In the same year, medical students from Shanghai's Jiao Tong University and the National University of Singapore also came to observe.
National University of Singapore, Assoc. Prof. Huang Yiguang:
My colleagues and I were deeply impressed and touched by the whole setup and system. We hope we may have the opportunity to participate again, to bring along more doctors and students.
Scholars must search for the truth
The surgery-simulation gives med students and doctors an opportunity to hone their skills, so they may save lives. Tzu Chi University is the first institution in Taiwan where cadavers used for medical research and study are supplied by willing donors.
Fu Jen University vice president. Jiang Hansheng:
When you don't carry out dissections, then myth and superstition come to be, like the old times. A scholar must be willing to challenge what he believes, to see for himself.
Studying cadavers advances medicine
In the beginning of the 14th century, Italy's University of Bologna -- the oldest continually operating university in the world -- began dissecting cadavers for medical study. Artist Leonardo da Vinci dissected corpses at the Hospital of Santa Maria Nuova, in Florence, and left us with detailed drawings of human anatomy. In 1543, the founder of modern human anatomy, Andreas Vesalius, left us with "On the Workings of the Human Body". In 1628, the founding father of modern medicine, William Harvey, published "On the Motion of the Heart and Blood " In 1967, on December 3rd, the world's first heart transplant was performed in Cape Town, South Africa. In 1985, on November 20th, a four-day-old baby in the US became the youngest person in the world to undergo successful heart transplantation.
Silent Mentors: Giving in silence
The human body still holds many unsolved mysteries. The sacrifices made by cadaver donors for medical study silently help us all by educating future medical professionals. In Hualien, Taiwan, for those who learn, the compassion of Tzu Chi's Silent Mentor program ensures that more than knowledge is passed along.
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TC_15 years of Tzu Chi's silent mentorsby tzuchisg2,385 views
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