Chairman's word

Dear members:
Since its establishment in 1967, the Taiwan Medical Association kept on working unremittingly for 55 years. It has made considerable contributions to the health and well-being for human beings in Taiwan and elsewhere.

Taiwan Surgeons Association currently has more than 6,000 members. Historically our association was mostly led by doctors from the central and northern regions of Taiwan . Therefore, 22 years after the 17th chairman, Physician Hong Chunlong, professor of neurosurgery at Kaohsiung’s University of Medicine , I am deeply honored by the responsibility which is being given by my peers, and for all the great significance it has for the medical community in southern Taiwan.

With the continuous changes in the medical environment, the constant evolution of medical technologies and trend of health policies, the association has always worked hard striving for innovation, and many achievements have been seen under the leadership of my predecessors. In the next two years, in addition of perpetuating this inherited model and continuing to promote the merits of the association, I will devote myself improving the status and the working environment for surgeons, defending the rights and well-being of all members of our society, in order to encourage new blood to continue flowing, joining our guild.

This will pass through several improvements, and the creation of several committees:

1. Completion of a specialist system for each department of surgery (surgical specialist committee).
2. Adjustment of health insurance benefits (Health Insurance Commission).
3. Get in line with international standards, and enhance international visibility of the Society (International Exchange Committee).
4. Make the Society of Surgery journal becomes an International (SCI) journal (Editorial committee ).
5. Establish an online teaching platform and production of surgical films (Education Committee).
6. RRC will evaluates the capacity of resident physicians for each specialty (Quality Management Committee).

Finally, under the influence of the COVID-19 new coronavirus epidemic, I would like to thanks all members for staying firmly onboard; please take care of your own health, and keep on working together to weather this new storm in the safest conditions.

I wish you all good health and success in your careers!

Hou, Ming-Feng
Chairman of the 28th Taiwan Medical Association