Written by Lulu Yin
Translated by H.B. Qin
Edited by Adriana DiBenedetto
On August 2, 2025, Tzu Chi USA’s San Francisco Branch joined hands with Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA) for a Community Health Day event. This would mark the second health day event that Tzu Chi’s San Francisco Branch and TIMA have hosted for the Alice Griffith community in San Francisco, California’s Bayview–Hunters Point area since COVID-19 pandemic restrictions were lifted.
The day’s services featured three major consultation areas: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), chiropractic rehabilitation, and Western medicine. Warmth abounded in the space as medical and preventative care merged with the genuine attentiveness characteristic of each Tzu Chi event. Over half of the guests in attendance sought chiropractic rehabilitation in addition to medical consultations.
Planting Seeds for Good Health
Many residents had eagerly anticipated another opportunity to participate in Tzu Chi’s free clinic since last year’s Community Health Day. Upon seeing the volunteers, several asked, “Will there be TCM and chiropractic rehabilitation again this year? It really works!” And indeed, their heartfelt feedback continues to be the greatest motivation for Tzu Chi’s continued efforts.
“Many people inquired about TCM today, especially acupuncture,” shared Tzu Chi San Francisco Branch Medical Officer Stephanie Nguyen. “Common issues among residents are sleep disturbances, endocrine imbalances, or chronic pain. Acupuncture offers them a natural, effective way to alleviate these issues.”
Partnering with TIMA to Extend Love
The event drew the interest of many Tzu Chi volunteers and TIMA doctors, creating a lively atmosphere. Dr. George Chang, a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner, additionally shared that this was his first time participating in a Tzu Chi free clinic. “Every volunteer is incredibly kind, and the community residents are very welcoming. It made me feel truly happy,” Dr. Chang said. “It’s a truly precious experience.” Dr. Chang also expressed deep admiration for the selfless dedication of every Tzu Chi volunteer, and said that he hoped to learn more from them.
A Healthy Spine Starts with Daily Care
In addition to medical outreach, Tzu Chi volunteers have held distributions in the Alice Griffith community in the Bayview–Hunters Point area each week since 2017. These distributions did not pause even during the pandemic’s peak to serve locals in a most difficult and distressing time. For eight years, volunteers have consistently served approximately 100 families every week.
The long-term physical demands of lifting and labor can pose significant health risks, including for Tzu Chi’s own volunteers. To help them stay healthy and prevent injuries, the Community Health Day event offered a hands-on workshop on Spinal Injury Prevention Education with chiropractic rehabilitation specialist Dr. Wendy Chuang.
Through this, Dr. Chuang taught attendees how to properly use body mechanics when lifting heavier materials. Her guidance was clear and accessible, with memorable instructions. Some of these displayed how to correctly engage one’s legs when lifting and maintain proper posture while squatting.
The hands-on workshop unfolded in a lively and engaging atmosphere, wherein each participant learned how to protect themselves in their day-to-day activities. This additionally put the concept that one must take care of oneself to take care of others into concrete action.
Heartwarming Feedback from Locals
Ronnie Wittenberg, a long-time participant in Tzu Chi’s Zero Waste Program, attended the day’s community health event as well. “The medical outreach is really great here,” said Wittenberg. “What they have here, Tzu Chi is providing for the community. And I got some good results today — it was really good.”
I love the program they have here – the Tzu Chi program that's bringing this to the community; is really great.
“It’s such a blessing to have a service that comes here,” said another local named Maua Teofilo. “We don’t have to go far; we get to meet doctors, and they are giving us the best advice for ourselves. So I hope that anyone looking at this [interview] from this community — you need to take up these services, which will help us prevent things from affecting our own health. We can never have enough encouragement about our condition. The more we know about it, the more we can do something about it. And Tzu Chi has been a blessing to this community, providing all this care for anyone, no matter who you are. So I really extend my appreciation to the Tzu Chi Foundation for living up to their belief, to love, to care, and to reach out to everybody.”
The Relay of Love Never Stops
“Serving this community is a blessing for each of us,” said Stephanie Nguyen, sharing a hope that the event can continue for years to come. “We’ll persevere in relaying the baton of love without interruption, so that more people will benefit. And may the power of kindness take root, sprout, and flourish in our community,” said Nguyen.
With kindness and love as their driving force, Tzu Chi San Francisco Branch volunteers will continue to uphold the spirit of care for all as they accompany communities toward a future filled with health, peace, and hope.
