Honorary Director of the Board of TFRD

Honorary Director of the Board of TFRD, Shio Jean Lin, M.D. Won 2007 Award for Medical Dedication to Children   

Shio Jean Lin, M.D., an honorary director of the Board of TFRD, was lately laureated with the “2007 Award for Medical Dedication to Children” for her untiring efforts to advance disadvantaged children’s living rights and restore their dignity. The prestigious annual Award, presented by Taiwan Pediatric Association and Rui Xin Medical Foundation, is established to honor distinguished individuals who serve in pediatrics on long term basis. 

Dr. Lin, former director general of Bureau of Health Promotion, Department of Health in Taiwan, has shown herself to be a pioneer in genetic medicine. She is especially acclaimed for her collaborative accomplishment to promote the systematization, legalization and public advocacy of rare disease issues in Taiwan. 

Starting in 1986, after studying medical genetics at Johns Hopkins and New Jersey- Rutgers Medical School, Dr. Lin dedicated herself to protecion of inherited diseases for children. With the first and foremost force generated by families with rare diseases patients, Dr. Lin, as a director of the Board of TFRD in its early stage in 1999, from a medical professional’s perspective, played a significant role in legislation of Rare Disease and Orphan Drug Act, which has been initially enacted in 2000. 

In view of the doctors’ predicament of seeking medical solutions for children afflicted by rare disorders, Dr. Lin is convinced that the fundamental issues involve in the national health services, medical system and social regime, as they can only be solved more effectively and extensively through highest authorities. Therefore, during her tenure as the director general of Bureau of Health Promotion in 2003-2005, she helped the amendment of Rare Disease and Orphan Drug Act aiming for best maintenance of patients’ lives, as well as strived to develop genetic counseling centers which thereafter make a great difference in the lives of newborns that carry some genetic  defects. 

“Children are unable to stand up for their own rights,” said Dr. Lin, who heads the genetic center  at National Cheng Kung University. “I am here to serve as the voice for disadvantaged children.” 

With a grand vision of elevating the quality of care and treatment delivered to critically-ill children  with hereditary disorders, Dr. Lin encourages young medical specialists to rise to the challenge  of cultivating the land of genetic medicine, where integrated research and resource have long  been scarce. “The cultivators always celebrate fullest harvest.” said Dr. Lin, who is now of more  than 20 years experience in genetic health services in Taiwan. 

As to the public, she makes an appeal to stop placing negative stigma on victims of genetic illness.  “Trials and tribulations are blessings in disguise.” said Dr. Lin, with a hope of not only raising the  justified recognition of rare disorders in the society, but also earning the patients respect from the  public.