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Dr. Noordhoff, his wife and parents at graduation ceremony.

“To treat patients with love” is Dr. Noordhoff’s philosophy.

A light for patients with craniofacial defects ~Taiwan’s Albert Schweitzer

“The repair of a face for a child means more than the removal of the defect. It means to complete the child’s life. A child with confidence in himself knows how to love when he grows up. He will pass the love on”.

~Dr. Noordhooff

Dr. Noordhooff, from Orange City in Iowa State of the US, dedicated his prime time to Taiwan, a poor and backwater country at that time. Dr. Noordhooff became a real Taiwanese. He served patients with outstanding medial skills and a loving heart throughout the 40 years. He did not only improve the medical standards in Taiwan but also brought hope to the Taiwanese people.

“To treat patients with love”was Dr. Noordhooff’s philosophy. His patients were his friends and he encouraged them. He hoped to treat their physical pains and their psychological trauma. If his patients could not afford the medical expenses, he would assist them out of his pocket. He would call them up, asking them to return for treatments.

The President granted Order of the Brilliant Star with Violet Grand Cordon to Dr. Noordhoff, the highest honor to foreigners. (1999)

Dr. Noordhooff believes that we should live and learn. He knows that there is no end for medical progress. Although he is already 70 years old, he is always happy to pick up the most updated medical journal on plastic and reconstructive surgery and discusses the newest concepts with experts. He believes that it is the most basic aspect of professionalism for medical doctors.Dr. Noordhooff retired in 1999 and returned to the US.

We miss him here. We miss him not because he received Maliniac Award, the most prestigious honor in the medical world, but also because he made his contributions to Taiwan, as a foreign not asking for any reward.

Image Sources :
Yu-fang Liang(2000).《Love, To Mend the Imperfectness: Dr. Noordhooff’s Forty Years in Taiwan》.Taipei City:Common Wealth .
Noordhoff Craniofacial Foundation.