Spreading Medical Care with Love
Caring for Underserved Communities
Advancing with the Times
Logo Design Concept
The Founding Years
Sister Mary Paul Watts: The Beginning of a Mission of Love
When the Sisters of Our Lady of China first arrived in Taiwan, medical resources in the mountainous areas of Chiayi were extremely scarce. Many patients lost their lives due to delays in receiving treatment, while others had to travel long distances to seek medical care, causing great suffering for both the patients and their families.
In 1959, Sister Mary Paul Watts, an American-born Sister with a specialization in internal medicine, crossed the ocean to join the Sisters of Our Lady of China, guided by the belief: "Go wherever there is a need." She established the Hai-hsing Clinic in Meishan Township, Chiayi County, thereby beginning a mission of spreading love through medical care.
After Sister Mary Paul Watts began practicing medicine in the mountainous region, children with weaker immune systems and elderly residents were finally able to receive treatment, sparing them from the suffering of illness without medical care. The medical team she led not only provided basic healthcare services, but also actively promoted proper public health concepts and worked to improve the poor sanitary conditions common at the time, putting into practice the belief that "prevention is better than cure."
Cardinal Thomas Tien Ken-sin, Founder of the Sisters of Our Lady of China
Sister Mary Paul Watts (left) and the medical team carrying a critically ill patient down the mountain for treatmentFrom a Mountain Clinic to a City Hospital
Determined to serve more patients and further enhance the quality of care, Sister Mary Paul Watts and the congregation worked tirelessly to raise funds, traveling to the United States and other countries in search of support. Their efforts bore fruit in 1965 with the construction of St. Martin De Porres Hospital, which officially opened in 1966.
The hospital was named in honor of an American benefactor, Mr. Martin, whose generous support made its establishment possible. With Sister Mary Paul Watts’s assistance, medical supplies and aid from the United States were gradually introduced, enabling the hospital to treat countless patients. This was also the origin of the hospital's affectionate nickname at the time, "the American Hospital."
Sister Mary Paul Watts and her medical team conducting outreach medical services in rural communities.
Sister Mary Paul Watts not only cared for patients, but also helped promote proper public health awareness among local residents.
Sister Chen Mei-Hui providing disaster relief in Alishan during Typhoon Morakot in 2009.
The Continuation of Love
Superintendent Sister Lucy Chen: Leading the Hospital’s Growth and Transformation
Carrying forward the vision of Sister Mary Paul Watts, Sister Lucy Chen not only expanded the scale of the hospital, but also remained deeply committed to caring for the underserved. She went on to establish Sheng Guang Clinic in Fanlu Township and the Alishan Medical Station, becoming a steadfast guardian of health for local residents.
In addition, she founded the Sisters of Our Lady of China Catholic Charity Social Welfare Foundation to integrate community resources and provide support for persons with disabilities, high-risk families, disadvantaged children and youth, school dropouts, foreign spouses, Indigenous peoples, and senior citizens. From children to elders in need, and from individuals to entire families, these efforts have helped many families on the brink of collapse rediscover hope, restore dignity, and improve their quality of life.
An Integrated Healthcare System Encompassing Medical Care, Education, and Long-Term Care
Today, the hospital's integrated healthcare system includes the Daya Campus, MinChuan Campus, an affiliated Nursing Home, the Alishan Medical Station, Sheng Guang Clinic in Fanlu Township, Chung-Jen Junior College of Nursing, Health Sciences and Management, the Sisters of Our Lady of China Catholic Charity Social Welfare Foundation, as well as an overseas Nursing Home in Sydney, Australia.
Although St. Martin De Porres Hospital has grown into a well-established regional teaching hospital, it has never forgotten its founding mission. The fearless spirit of the early sisters—who once carried stretchers across mountains to save lives—continues to guide the hospital today. This sincerity and love, rooted in faith, remain present in every act of care, passed down from generation to generation, enduring without end.
The spirit of compassion embodied by Sister Mary Paul Watts has been passed down through generations and continues without end.