Written by Janet Li
Translated by H.B. Qin
Edited by Ida Eva Zielinska
On the morning of September 28, 2025, a lively, welcoming atmosphere filled Indian Springs High School in San Bernardino, California, in the heart of the Inland Empire region. The Tzu Chi USA National Headquarters medical team arrived early to set up for its large-scale autumn free clinic event serving under-resourced families from nearby communities. To support community health, the clinic offered five free services: Western medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, dental care, vision care, and blood testing. Throughout the day, a steady stream of patients came seeking care and connection.
For more than three decades, Tzu Chi USA National Headquarters volunteers have consistently served Southern California’s Inland Empire region, distributing produce and providing free clinics to under-resourced farmworker and immigrant families. During this time, volunteers have collaborated closely with local government and school districts to support the health and daily needs of vulnerable communities, extending Tzu Chi’s humanistic care across the area. Building on this foundation, the autumn free clinic refined its services and engaged new volunteers, responding in action to the community’s trust and expectations.
Maintaining an Orderly Division of Responsibilities
The free clinic event started early in the morning, with volunteers performing their respective duties in seamless coordination to keep patient flow orderly and the process efficient. Tzu Chi Collegiate Association and Tzu Chi Youth Group volunteers moved between registration, triage, waiting areas, internal medicine, dentistry, traditional Chinese medicine, vision care, blood draw stations, and the pharmacy, ensuring patients could receive care smoothly at every step.
Several community volunteers acting as interpreters, easily identified by their orange armbands, also helped patients speaking different languages communicate with medical staff, making the service more comprehensive and considerate.
The registration area was the first stop for clinic attendees. Volunteers assisted with distributing numbered tickets, retrieving medical records, filling out forms, and conveying Tzu Chi’s humanistic spirit through each interaction. Once registered, patients were given different colored wristbands according to the services they needed, ensuring a smooth and orderly process. Tzu Chi volunteers, including members of the Tzu Chi Collegiate Association and Tzu Chi Youth Group, together with community volunteers, helped keep the clinic running smoothly and greeted each patient with warm smiles and steady patience, letting care and kindness fill the day.
Providing Consistent Care
The Western medicine station, led by station manager Shen Hui, featured three Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA) physicians: Dr. Stephen Denq, CEO of the Tzu Chi Medical Foundation; Dr. Nyunt Khoo; and Dr. Hungliang Li. They provided internal medicine consultations and medication counseling while volunteers supported a steady patient flow. With help from a volunteer interpreter, Dr. Khoo carefully reviewed each patient’s medical record. Dr. Li listened attentively, assessed patients’ conditions, and offered personalized advice and health education, adding warmth to every doctor–patient interaction.
Dr. Stephen Denq, who has been involved in free clinics for 26 years, firmly believes that only by expanding local physician participation can TIMA become a stable and enduring force in the community and help spread Tzu Chi’s humanitarian care even further. “Medical care is one of Tzu Chi’s four missions, and a key focus is organizing free clinic outreach that provides regular, ongoing care for those in need in the community,” he emphasized.
Tzu Chi’s free clinic team returns to the same locations every three months to monitor the health of patients with chronic conditions. They also deploy Tzu Chi Mobile Clinics across Central California, covering approximately 800 miles to reach under-resourced farmworker and immigrant families.
One of the ways that we do medical outreach differently from other organizations is that we try to make regular visits.
Healing Body and Mind
Coordinated by intern station chief Hsuehy Chen, five traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) doctors – Peiching Lai, Jungyuan Chi, I-hsien Lai, Yingling Kuo, and Yingtung Lin – collaborated to provide acupuncture, cupping, and gua sha services. The TCM clinic area was filled with the subtle aroma of herbs. As the acupuncturists focused intently on needle placement, volunteers offered gentle reassurance, helping patients relax and soothe both body and mind.
TCM practitioner Jungyuan Chi performed a head gua sha treatment on Ellen Tien. His delicate technique gradually eased Tien’s chronic tension and headaches. “This isn’t just physical healing, it calms the mind and makes you feel cared for,” Tien said with a smile.
The event welcomed a special guest, Eloise Gómez Reyes, California State Senator for the 29th District, who also took part in the clinic by receiving an acupuncture treatment. She expressed deep appreciation for Tzu Chi’s long-term service to the community.
For years, Tzu Chi has provided food distributions, free clinics, and support for children in our community, offering tremendous help. We are truly grateful for your dedication.
Guarding Smiles
Led by station manager Jufeng Yang, dentists Shirley Chen, Peter Chen, Lawrence Lai, George Wan, and Angela Shaw provided extractions, cleanings, and fillings, meticulously safeguarding oral health in the community.
Dr. Shirley Chen, Director of the Medical Development Department at Tzu Chi USA National Headquarters, oversaw overall planning for the free clinic and coordinated personnel to ensure smooth operations. “Beyond extractions, cleanings, and fillings, we also provide preventive care and health guidance tailored to each patient’s condition, hoping they can gradually improve their oral health,” she said.
Dr. Lawrence Lai, a Tzu Chi International Medical Association member, shared that he first connected with Tzu Chi through dental outreach in 1993. “Tzu Chi’s medical care has evolved over decades. As times change, the environment has transformed significantly,” he said. “We must continuously refine our skills and adapt to meet new challenges.”
We hope more young doctors and volunteers will join us to carry forward Tzu Chi’s medical mission and spirit.
Restoring Clear Vision
Optometrist Deborah Duan conducted vision screenings and refraction assessments at the vision care station, explaining each step so patients could follow along. Tzu Chi Youth Group volunteer Rachel Chen assisted with vision tests, carefully guiding patients as they identified optotypes. Volunteer Lishuang Hsu operated the phoropter, adjusting the lenses repeatedly to ensure precise measurements.
Outside the venue, the Tzu Chi Vision Mobile Clinic parked nearby ran at full capacity. Volunteer driver Clarence Yau skillfully assisted with on-site prescription eyeglass making and adjustments, enabling those in need to regain clear vision that very day.
Expanding Services Through Blood Testing
Since the blood draw station was first added at the summer 2023 free clinic event, it has now been in operation for two years, marking an important expansion in Tzu Chi USA’s medical services in Southern California’s Inland Empire region. Led by station manager Sharon Hsu and intern station manager Wenchuan Wang, nurses Chiumei Chen and Crystal Lee conducted blood draws and tests, serving 25 patients during this clinic event.
Blood tests cover liver and kidney function monitoring, chronic disease medication efficacy assessment, and overall health tracking. This enables physicians to promptly detect side effects, adjust medication dosages, and help patients better manage their health. For the previous 30 years, the Inland Empire free clinics had never offered blood testing; the addition of this station in 2023 significantly elevated diagnostic capacity and care quality.
The blood draw team attended to each patient with patience and care, making the medical services more complete and helping residents from more remote communities feel seen and supported. In a climate where some families live with ongoing anxiety about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, many still chose to come forward for blood tests and exams. Their trust and courage deeply moved the medical staff and volunteers.
Nurturing a Cycle of Love
In addition to medical services, the free clinic offered complimentary haircuts, secondhand clothing, and yoga wellness classes on site. These added services offered extra support to Inland Empire residents who may be experiencing financial or health challenges, helping them care for both body and mind.
The free clinic also served as a training ground for new service station managers, who coordinated operations across departments and helped maintain orderly, efficient workflow. This not only strengthened the event’s professionalism but also reflected Tzu Chi’s commitment to cultivating a new generation of leaders. Behind the scenes, support teams were vital pillars throughout the day; their steady presence allowed frontline medical staff and volunteers to focus fully on patient care.
Many volunteers – including Tzu Chi Youth Group members and parents – were taking part in a free clinic event for the first time. Others had previously been patients at Tzu Chi free clinics and now returned as community volunteers. This cycle of love, in which those who once received assistance now assist others, is one of the clearest expressions of compassion’s ripple effect.
By 2:00 PM, the free clinic event had concluded after serving 72 individuals through 425 medical consultations. From registration and triage to medical, dental, vision, traditional Chinese medicine, and blood testing, volunteers and medical professionals worked steadily so that residents could address health concerns they might otherwise delay. Tzu Chi USA remains committed to holding regular free clinics in the Inland Empire region so that more families can safeguard their health.
