Through Christ's Love, Enhance Quality & Affirm Dignity of Human Life

St. Martin de Porres Hospital, a Catholic hospital, was founded in 1966 by the Sisters of Our Lady of China in accordance with the principals of Christian doctrine to serve the sick, the poor and the needy by providing holistic medical care for the body, mind and soul.

History

• 1951, Sisters of Our Lady of China, an order of Chinese Catholic Sisters, flees increasing persecuition from Yanggu, Shandong province, China, and relocates to Mount Mei (Meishan) of Chiayi County.
• 1956, An American member of the OLC community, Sister Mary Paul Watts, felt the remoteness of Mei Shan kept its sick and poor residents from receiving proper medical care, and opens the “Hai-hsing Clinic” to serve them. This clinic is the predecessor to St. Martin de Porres Hospital.
• 1962, The Sisters relocate to Chiayi, and the “Hai-hsing Clinic” is moved to north Min Sheng road. The name is changed to “Chi-ming Clinic”.
• November 1966, Donations from generous American Catholics allow us to establish St. Martin De Porres Hospital on Min Chuan road in Chiayi. Under the direction of Sister Mary Paul Watts, OLC, the hospital opens with an outpatient clinic, operating and delivery rooms, a laboratory, and a 30-bed inpatient ward. Father Sun Jishan becomes out first superintendent.
(The hospital is named in honor of St. Martin de Porres, a Peruvian Catholic saint who lived from 1579 to 1639. He was a trained barber-surgeon who healed using his learned skills and as well as his faith. His devotion to caring for the poor and the sick serves as our model for delivering health care. The name was also chosen to honor the late Martin Anderson, father of American volunteer Harold Anderson. Harold was a tireless champion for our hospital, obtaining needed equipment and medicine for St. Martins from American hospitals and physicians.)
• May 1969 registers as a non-profit organization, and begins serving government workers and labor insurance patients. Sister Gao Lida, OLC becomes our second superintendent.
  
• August 1971, completion of Phase III expansion project, Sister Ma Zersen, OLC becomes the third hospital superintendent.
• 1971, the Sisters of Our Lady of China founds Chung Jen Vocational School for Midwifery Care, nurturing the caring spirit of Florence Nightingale in our students to become great caregivers. The school principal is Rev. Msgr. H.S. Fang of the Chiayi Diocese.
• March 1975, with new wards, operating room, maternity ward and emergency room, hospital beds now total 100. At this time Sister Zhao Miger, OLC becomes the fourth superintendent.
• October 1986, after completing a Masters degree in Hospital Administration in the United States, Sister Lucy Chen Meihui, OLC returns to Chiayi and becomes the fifth superintendent. Very Rev. Msgr. H.S. Fang, Vicar General of the Chiayi Diocese, is appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors.
• December 1986, adds the Hemodialysis Center and Physical Rehabilitation Unit.
• January 1988, computerization of services for faster, more efficient medical care.
• June 1990, Department of Health certifies us as a Regional Teaching Hospital.
• July 1990, introduction of the whole body CT scanner.
• June 1991, Department of Health licenses us to train doctors specializing in Internal Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics, Gynecology, Family Medicine, and Pediatrics.
• December 1991, a proposal is made to the Bureau of Health Promotion regarding the relocation and expansion of the hospital. The Chiayi Benedictine Priory donates land for building a new 300 bed Regional Teaching Hospital.
• April 1992, our relocation and expansion is approved by the Bureau of Health Promotion.
  
• October 1992, Building Permit is obtained. Our new building is designed by architect Shi Yuishen.
  
• January 1993, Archbishop Tikang of Taipei and the Administrator of the Department of Health, Chang Boya, officiates at the groundbreaking ceremony of the new medical building.
• November 1994, opens the Sheng Kuang clinic in rural Fanlu Township.
• December 1995, adopts new CIS (Corporate Identity System), with our new logo and motto chosen by popular vote among the hospital staff. The logo features the first 3 letters of our name, STM, which is also used to represent the three words of our motto, Service Trust Mercy.
• May 1996, on our 30th anniversary, the new hospital on Daya road opens for business in a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Church and government dignitaries in attendance.
• July 1996 our Emergency Department opens, making us the only teaching hospital in the Chiayi-Yunlin area to specialize in Emergency Medicine.
• January 1997, Rev. Msgr. H. S. Fang, chairman of our hospital, passes away from acute myocardial infarction, at the age of 77.
• April 1997 chairman Rev. Msgr. H. S. Fang is posthumously awarded the Health, Welfare, and Education Foundation's Medical Contribution Award, with over 40 senior staff members attending in the ceremony. Hospital superintendent Sister Chen Meihui, OLC accepts the award on his behalf.
• July 1997 we establish the first Nuclear Medicine Department in the Yunlin-Chiayi-Tainan area, securing financing for the state-of-the-art VariCam Gamma Camera.
• October 1997, our hospital becomes home to the first cosmetic surgery center in the Yunlin-Chiayi-Tainan area, featuring the latest equipment, including the ruby and carbon dioxide lasers.
• December 1997, groundbreaking ceremony for our new nursing home.
• March 1998, we open the first 24-hour remote mountainous medical clinic in Taiwan, in Leye Village of Alishan Township, offering Family Medicine, Dentistry, and Obstetrics services in addition an Emergency Room.
  
• April 1998, we help Kaohsiung Jianyou Hospital implement their medical information system, providing them with software and information technology services. It is the first inter-hospital cooperation of this kind.
• July 1998, we form a Total Quality Promotion Group to further improve the quality of our medical services.
• December 1998, the establishment of the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine at our Min Chuan location.
• December 1998, we aquire the high-resolution, non-radiation Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner.
• July 1999, our hospital logo is selected in the Medical and Health category of the Third Excellence in Trademark Design Competition hosted by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Economic Daily News.
• November 1999, participates in the Taipei International Medical Equipment and Pharmaceuticals Show organized by the Taipei World Trade Center to present our health care information management systems, automated test equipment, comprehensive quality management and medical services to remote Alishan outcomes. We are the first hospital to do so.
• January 2000, the Rotary Clubs of Tienmu, Taipei and Osaka, Japan, donate a medical service vehicle and medical equipment in support of our Alishan mobile medical clinic program to improve accessibility of health care to this remote mountainous region.
• January 2000, the Lions Club International recognizes superintendent Sister Chen Meihui, OLC for her commitment to the welfare of the physically challenged.
• July 2000 we are accredited as a Regional Teaching Hospital by the Taiwan Joint Commission on Hospital Accreditation (TJCHA).
• 2000, the hospital's Pain Center is listed in the Pain Research Center of the World Directory (The World Institute Of Pain).
  
• July 2000, we compete in the Taiwan Joint Commission on Hospital Accreditation's Quality Control Circle Competition and our Nursing Group and our Medical Administration Group earn an A and an A+, respectively.
• November 2000, our Nursing Home officially opens. With 300 beds and 6 floors, it is the largest in Taiwan.
• 2000, our Breast Cancer Center opens.
• July 2001, we enter into an agreement with National Chiayi University to provide teachers, students and hospital staff with medical education geared towards those in caretaker roles. This Medical Education Cooperation Agreement is the first in Taiwan.
• January 2002, establishes the Diabetes Care Center.
• August 2002, our Hospice ward commemorates the late former chairman is H. S. Fang with a special wing named in his honor.
• October 2002, our Nursing Home sets up a dementia day care center.
• February 2003, we contract with the National Health Insurance Bureau to implement its IC card pilot program, becoming the first hospital in the Chiayi area to use this new system.
• March 2003, our medical building expansion project is completed with the addition of new treatment areas and two new floors.
• August 2003, creation of the East Chiayi City Community Health Center and Chiayi City Aboriginal Community Health Center.
• November 2003, the 120 Club and Little Diabetes Mellitus Patient Federation win fourth prize in the First National Outstanding Diabetes Mellitus Patient Groups Awards.
• December 2003, becomes the only bilingual hospital in Chiayi City accredited by the Association of Hospital Administration.
  
• November 2004, the Research, Development and Evaluation Commission rates us as having a Good English-friendly environment.
• November 2004, we participate in the Department of Health's Electronic Document Exchange Competition, winning 3rd place in the non-government hospital category.
• April 2005, the Postpartum Care Center is accredited by the Consumer Protection Commission of the Executive Yuan, becoming one of only five qualified maternity recovery centers in Taiwan.
• 2002 ~ 2005, the Nursing Home and Home Care Group win acclaim for the third consecutive year from health care surveyors.
• August 2005, Chung Jen Senior High Vocational is reorganized as Chung Jen College of Nursing, Health Science and Management.
• September 2005, Chung Jen College of Nursing, Health Sciences and Management breaks ground on construction of its Dalin campus.
• 2005, our 14-story parking building is completed.
• 2005, wins Department of Health approval to launch Chiayi City's first Kidney Health Promotion Agency.
• 2006, our Cancer Prevention and Treatment Center is awarded the Department of Health's A-class performance rating.
• 2006, we win approval from the government to perform pre-employment health evaluations of newly-arrived foreign workers.
• 2006, our laboratory receives ISO15189 certification from the Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC)
  
• 2006, the Morning Light Club, our breast cancer support group, wins the Cancer Prevention and Treatment Society's Support Group Excellence Award.
  
• 2006, our Nursing Home passes Merit Evaluation for the fourth consecutive year in a row.
  
• 2006, our diabetes support group, the 120 Club, receives an award from the National Strengthening Program of Diabetes Patients Self-Help Groups, an initiative of the Bureau of Health Promotion.
• 2006, our Cancer Treatment Center was awarded the Bureau of Health Promotion's A-class performance rating for its comprehensive and enhanced cancer treatment plan.
• 2007, our Maternity ward, for its fifth consecutive year, is awarded the Taiwan Association of Obstetrics and Gynecology's certification.
• 2007, the Department of Health identifies us as a High-risk Pregnancy Medical Emergency Referral Plan hospital.
• 2007, the hospital is awarded the top rating of Excellent by the Taiwan Joint Commission on Hospital Accreditation under its revised performance evaluation system, which incorporates unannounced survey visits and is re-rated every 3 to 4 years.
• 2007, hospital foundress and chairperson Sister Mary Paul, OLC wins the Ministry of the Interior Outstanding Foreign Religious Individuals Award Medal of Honor, in recognition of her half-century of service to the people of Taiwan.
• December 3, 2007 our hospital is recognized by the Bureau of Health Promotion as a 2007 Outstanding Disease Prevention Group.
• December 17, 2007, we participate in the Research, Development and Evaluation Commission's 2007 Business and Private Organization's Website Accessibility and Content Enrichment evaluation and attain the highest rating of A+.
• December 25, 2007, our hospital's foundress and chairperson, Sister Mary Paul Watts, is made an Honorary Citizen by the Chiayi City government.
• December 2008, our Alishan IDS (Integrated Delivery System) passes the 2008 SNQ (Symbol of National Quality)
• January 2009, our Cancer Prevention and Treatment Center is awarded the Department of Health's “A-class” performance rating.
• February 2009, Chiayi City Public Service Award for our “Oral Cancer Screening and Prevention” Community Health Program.
• July 2009, we join the World Health Organization's Network of Health Promoting Hospitals.
• August 2009, our Emergency Room is completely renovated with a more efficent layout, larger area, with more beds and equipment.
• September 2009, our laboratory receives ISO15189 certification from the Taiwan Accreditation Foundation (TAF)
• December 2009, our Nursing Home receives the SNQ (“Symbol of National Quality”) Safety and Quality Award.
• February 2010, receives an award for ISO27001 compliance for securing our medical information database.
• July 2010, Taiwan Society of Health recognizes our “Stop Smoking Now!” campaign as a model for Hospital Promotion Hospitals.
• August 2010, The Research, Development and Evaluation Commission awards us its highest English Service Emblem for the second year in a row.
• October 2010, we acquire the Siemens MEGNETOM Avanto 1.5 Tesla MRI scanner for faster, quieter, and better medical imaging without radiation.
• October 2010, we acquire the Varian Medical Systems RapidArc, the new generation radiation therapy technology.
• October 2010, we acquire the Siemens Biograph TruePoint PET-CT scanner, the world's first high definition PET platform.
• December 2010, we receive the highest possible rating of "Outstanding" (特優) from the Taiwan Joint Commission on Hospital Accreditation and Quality Improvement (TJCHA).
• January 2011, we resolve to set the standard for "senior-friendliness" and provide a warm and inviting environment for eldercare health services.
• March 2011, "Chiayi Healthy City" rates our lavatories as "Outstanding" (特優).
• March 2013, Nursing Home passes the Department of Health's Accreditation with an "Excellent" rating.
• March 2013, STM Founder Sister Mary Paul OLC is recognized as among the "Outstanding Women" of Chiayi County.
• May 2013, STM Nursing Home receives World Health Organization's "Health Promotion International Network Agency Member Certification."
• July 2013, Ministry of Health and Welfare, National Health Department, awards STM their "Cancer Prevention Merit Hospitals ─ Quality Certification."
• September 2013, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Food and Drug Administration, grants STM its HACCP certification (valid for one year).
• September 2013, STM receives ISO 9001 quality certification from the prestigious SGS organization.
• November 2013, STM Nursing Home wins 2nd place for "Creating Peace of Mind for the Elderly Services."
• November 2013, STM wins contest for improve antibiotic effectiveness with the paper "Applying Lean Thinking to Improve Antibiotic Use Management."
• November 2013, STM Superintendent Sister Lucy Chen OLC wins the Ministry of Education "Public Service Award."
• November 2013, STM Founder Sister Mary Paul OLC receivces special recognition for her half century of service to Taiwan from the National Immigration Agency.
• December 2013, Diabetes Center receives "Excellence Award" for the implimentation of its quality care improvement plan.
• December 2013, Pharmacy receives the 14th Medical Quality Award and Creativity Award.
• December 2013, Pathology department wins the 2013 Symbol of National Quality with its presentation of "Pathological Specimens: An Amazing Journey."
• December 2013, Stroke Center wins the 2013 Symbol of National Quality with its presentation of "Building a Small and Beautiful Stroke Center to Enhance the Quality of Stroke Treatment."
• December 2013, Postpartum Care Center is awarded the Ministry of Health and Welfare "Excellence" evaluation.
• December 2013, STM receives first place in Chiayi City's first assessment of Smoking Cessation Counseling Services.
• January 2014, Sisters of Our Lady of China Social Welfare Foundation receives "Excellent" evaluation.
• January, 2014, We pass Health Promotion Administration's Healthy Workplace certification
• April 2014, STM Nursing Home and its home care service each pass Chiayi City's annual supervision and evaluation of nursing agencies with an "Excellence" rating
• April 2014, STM's entry of ”A Survey of Workplace Fatigue at a Hospital in Taiwan” wins Best Poster at the 2014 International Conference on Health Promoting Hospitals
• August 2014, STM earns the rank of "Outstanding" in an evaluation of diabetes care in hospitals.
• September 2014, STM passes the Ministry of Health and Welfare Hospital Accreditation with its highest rating -- "Excellent"
• January, 2014, We pass Health Promotion Administration's Healthy Workplace certification.
• June, 2014, We receive the highest rating from the Health Promotion Administration for our entry in the "Age-friendly Photography Contest"
• August, 2014, We receive the highest rating for a diabetes care medical facility.
• August, 2014, Health Promotion Administration 2013 annual cancer prevention awards, win 1st place in cervical cancer detection in our section.
• September, 2014, We receive the top rating from 2013's Chiayi City inspection of breastfeeding rooms.
• September, 2014, We receive the highest hospital accreditation rating from the Ministry of Health and Welfare.
• November, 2014, Our Health Evaluation Center passes Joint Commission of Taiwan health examination quality certification.
• November, 2014, Our medical vice superintendent, Dr. Wang Chung-jing, receives the 1st Peach City Medical Contribution Award in the group category.
• November, 2014, Our Community Medicine Department wins 1st Peach City Medical Contribution Award in the group category.
• November, 2014, We receive high recognition from the Health Promotion Administration as an "Age-friendly Healthcare Facility"
• December, 2014, We pass Health Promotion Hospital creative project selection with "Outstanding" or "Excellent" for Smoking Cessation, Diet & Exercise, Weight Control and Safe Workplace.
• December, 2014, We participate in Chiayi City's Non-smoking Hospital Service Quality Improvement Plan and win 1st place - Smoking Cessation Counseling Services category.
• December, 2014, We are recognized by the Health Promotion Administration for quality of our smoking cessation activities.
• December, 2014, We receive first place in the Health Promotion Administration's Efficiency in Cancer Screening.
• January, 2015, We meet the Environmental Protection Administration's carbon reduction target.
• January, 2015, We introduce Chiayi-Yunlin area's first 160-slice 3D CT scanner.
• March, 2015, Chiayi City rates us "Outstanding" as a Diabetes care medical institution.
• March, 2015, We receive the "most potential" award in the Taiwan College of Healthcare Executives' Taiwan Healthcare Indicator Series hospital competition.
• March, 2015, Our health check service is first place in Fubon Life Insurance customer satisfaction.
• March, 2015, We pass the Health Promotion Administration's Maternity and Child healthcare certification.
• April, 2015, We introduce wireless digital image neuro EEG monitor to the Chiayi Yunlin area.
• June, 2015, Our Stroke Center was featured in Commonhealth Magazine's 2015 article on neighborhood specialty hospitals.
• June, 2015, Our home care, nursing home and postpartum care receive the highest rating from Chiayi City nursing care facility evaluation.
• June, 2015, Sisters of Our Lady of China Social Welfare Foundation receives the highest rating from 2014's Chiayi City long-term care evaluation for home care.
• June, 2015, We receive the highest rating in this year's Chiayi City Long-term Care and Daycare Evaluation for our Holy Family Home.
• June, 2015, We introduce Taiwan's first "heat and dry truck," which we bring to needy families to disinfect and dry out their blankets.
• July, 2015, We receive the highest certification from the WHO Network of Health Promoting Hospitals.
• November, 2015, STM superintendent Sister Lucy Chen OLC wins Medical Contribution Award.
• March, 2016, STM Nursing Home receives Taiwan Joint Commission on Hospital Accreditation "Excellent" (highest) rating.
• June, 2016, We win the "International Environment-Friendly Hospital Team Work Best Practice Award".
• June, 2016, We win the "Outstanding Fulfillment of WHO HPH Standards Award".
• October, 2016, We celebrate the 50th anniversary of the opening of St. Martin De Porres Hospital!