Professor Li Kang-Yuan Appointed New Director of Wanfang Hospital, Unveils 'Guarding the Century-Long Life' Vision: Aiming for Healthy Aging Without Illness or Disability

Wanfang Hospital, a municipal hospital in Taipei, recently held the inauguration ceremony for its ninth director. Under the witness of Huang Chien-Hua, Director of Taipei City Department of Health; Chen Jui-Chieh, Chairman of Taipei Medical University (TMU); and Wu Mai-Ssu, President of TMU, the outgoing eighth director, Dr. Liu Tsan-Hong, formally handed over the official seal to President Wu as the supervising officer, who then passed it to Professor Li Kang-Yuan, the ninth director. This symbolic act represents the continuity of hospital leadership, medical mission, and the enduring spirit of Wanfang.

Reflecting on his two-and-a-half-year tenure, outgoing Director Liu highlighted that despite challenges such as healthcare reform, staffing shortages, and digital transformation, Wanfang Hospital has deepened its capabilities in acute, critical, and rare disease care while advancing specialty medicine. The hospital has also expanded its services beyond hospital walls through initiatives such as Hospital at Home (HaH), integrated elderly health care, community health promotion, the Dawenshan ESG Action Alliance, and international collaborations—laying a solid foundation for sustainable development.

Professor Li Kang-Yuan brings extensive experience in clinical medicine, medical research, talent development, and hospital administration. As the new director, he will leverage the integrated medical, educational, and research resources of the Taipei Medical University system to strengthen university-hospital synergy. He aims to drive clinical innovation, cultivate medical talent, and advance smart healthcare to shape Wanfang Hospital’s future development.

Li stated, 'Assuming the directorship is not merely taking over hospital operations, but inheriting the trust, culture, and mission that Wanfang has built over nearly 30 years.' He reaffirmed 'Quality is Wanfang’s Dignity' as the core value upheld by past directors and all staff—a guiding principle for continuous improvement. Committed to the ethos of 'Patients First, Community Focused,' he pledged to build on existing strengths through innovation, enhancing medical quality, deepening smart healthcare and integrated care systems, and working with all staff to become the public’s most trusted health partner.

In response to Taiwan’s aging society and the Healthy Taiwan policy, Li introduced 'Guarding the Century-Long Life' as the hospital’s strategic direction. He emphasized, 'The value of medicine lies not only in treating illness, but in safeguarding health even before diseases occur.' Moving forward, Wanfang Hospital will gradually shift its focus from disease treatment to health promotion and disease prevention. Through precision health, integrated care, and health management, the hospital aims to help citizens achieve the goal of 'no illness, no dementia, no disability,' accompanying every individual toward a healthy, happy, and dignified century-long life.