As the pandemic has progressed, the Tzu Chi Medical Foundation has procured and donated personal protective equipment (PPE) and sanitizing supplies to more than a thousand medical institutions across the United States. In meeting with many of their representatives, staff and volunteers at Tzu Chi Medical discovered how constricted time was for lunch breaks at healthcare facilities. As a result, a new initiative was born: “A Better Meal, A Better Earth,” where, beginning May 19, 2020, Tzu Chi Medical began donating vegetarian lunches to healthcare workers alongside PPE donations.

The Alzheimer’s Association and the Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation are pleased to announce the expansion of their partnership to better reach and engage the Chinese-American community by providing important information relating to Alzheimer’s detection, diagnosis, care, treatment, research, and advocacy.

At Tzu Chi’s Mobile Clinics, I have enjoyed assessing and attending to patient needs as a volunteer. This has provided me insight into marginalized and underserved patient populations’ health disparities, which I have further explored through my qualitative research.

The weather was just beginning to become cooler in September of 2019. Gathered in the Las Vegas Salvation Army Activity Center was a line of people who are homeless in the area. It was a rare opportunity for them to get their teeth and eyes assessed and treated at no cost. For Tzu Chi volunteer doctors, a relieved smile after helping someone with their medical needs was more than enough payment. Over 100 patients were seen by the end of the day.