Written by Arthur Lai
Translated by H.B. Qin
Edited by Adriana DiBenedetto
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSMC) – Taiwan’s largest company and the world’s second-most valuable semiconductor company – announced the construction of a 5-nanometer advanced semiconductor fab in Arizona in 2020. This facility was anticipated to create over 1,600 high-tech professional jobs and thousands of indirect jobs in the semiconductor ecosystem.
As TSMC moved into the area and sent hundreds of engineers to the U.S., the families of those who came to the U.S. formed a new Chinese community called TSMC Village. However, frightening and unprecedented challenges soon emerged. When TSMC families moved to Phoenix, Arizona, and unexpectedly became ill as the COVID-19 pandemic rapidly spread across the country, they sought help from the Tzu Chi Phoenix Service Center. Volunteers went to TSMC Village to provide personal protective equipment, like face masks, as well as medication in a timely manner. From then on, Tzu Chi volunteers continued to care for TSMC families as they adjusted to life in the United States.
When Tzu Chi USA’s Phoenix Service Center held a free springtime dental clinic on April 21, 2024, many TSMC families joined to help. Six dentists, three scalers, and three dental assistants also took time out of their active schedules to participate in this free medical outreach service. Debra Boudreaux, the CEO of Tzu Chi USA, also attended the free clinic to guide the event. The free medical outreach service functioned similarly to a large dental clinic office, where compassionate doctors provided care that some patients might not have been able to access otherwise.
The Joy of Volunteering
In the United States, dental coverage for adults enrolled in Medicaid can vary from state to state, “where each state’s Medicaid adult dental benefits package falls on a continuum from ‘no dental benefits’ to ‘extensive benefits,’” according to the American Dental Association. People from medically underserved communities and people who are not medically insured face even more significant challenges to care. This means barriers to addressing a wide variety of crucial needs if they arise, from periodontal disease to toothaches, root canals, and more – which is why free clinics like these are so significant. Tzu Chi’s free clinic service was scheduled to begin at 8:30 AM, but many people who sought care and relief arrived at the venue as early as 7:00 AM to secure their spot.
Before dawn, volunteers from Tzu Chi USA’s headquarters in Los Angeles and local Phoenix volunteers began to set up the clinic site. Many TSMC employees and their families joined the event as volunteers, some even for a third time.
TSMC family member Shuling Chiu helped sterilize reusable devices, Tinghao Cheng took people’s temperatures and helped patients with their forms, Yuxuan Wu managed patient sign-in and measured blood pressure, Xinnuo Xu sterilized chairs, and Yurui Yang delivered medical records to the doctors for each exam. The young volunteers’ busy figures were seemingly always in motion. Shuling Chiu also shared her gratitude for this opportunity to give to others, and she believes that in the process of helping, the younger volunteers can also grow as they interact with more people.
The Commitment of Tzu Chi Volunteer Dentists
Many dentists also took time out of their active schedules to share their time and expertise. Participants of the free clinic included Dr. Ito and his wife, who participated in the Tzu Chi free clinic for a second time — the day of the free clinic falling on their 25th wedding anniversary. This fact, the couple shared, made them even more joyful in helping their patients.
Dr. Judy Zhao, who came to the U.S. from Beijing when she was a child, was happy to participate in the free clinic as well, where she performed extractions, scalings, and fillings for the patients.
Dr. Guffey came to the clinic accompanied by his family. Last year, Dr. Guffey brought his children to the end-of-year free dental clinic organized by the Tzu Chi Phoenix Service Center. This year, Dr. Guffey was joined by his mother-in-law, Maria, who is fluent in Spanish, and offered her time as a volunteer translator at the outreach event.
The first time I came, I thought it was great and a good deed, so I came this time too.
Thanks to several dentists’ active participation, patients were able to address different oral health concerns at no cost and all in one place.
A Seed of Goodness
Tzu Chi USA CEO Debra Boudreaux arrived early in the morning to help ensure the outreach event could proceed smoothly, and even brought gifts for the medical staff. She explained the origin of the red packet provided to each staff member, and the meaning of the three grains of rice within. The red packet always contains three carefully selected grains, which come all the way from Dalin Township in Chiayi County, Taiwan. These three grains of rice symbolize “Precepts, Determination, and Wisdom,” as well as “Hearing, Contemplating, and Practicing.” Thus, these three rice grains represent the seeds of goodness, forever planted in the hearts of volunteers.
Debra Boudreaux’s visit deepened the connection between the medical staff and Tzu Chi’s founder, Master Cheng Yen. Inspired by what they’d heard, several doctors, scaling technicians, and dental assistants came forward to inquire about the time of the next dental clinic, hoping they could continue providing free dental services.
This springtime free dental clinic organized by Tzu Chi Phoenix served more than 40 patients in one day. There’s no end to the good we can do when we all join hands, indeed.
