Lin Fang-yue

Lin Fang-yue (Chinese: 林芳郁; pinyin: Lín Fāngyù) is a Taiwanese cardiovascular surgeon, hospital superintendent, professor, and former health minister.

In this Chinese name, the family name is Lin.

Lin Fang-Yue
林芳郁
11th Minister of Department of Health of the Republic of China
In office
20 May 2008 – 25 September 2008
Preceded byHou Sheng-mao
Succeeded byYeh Ching-chuan
Personal details
NationalityTaiwanese
Alma materNational Taiwan University

Education

Lin graduated with his M.D. degree from National Taiwan University medical school, and earned a Ph.D. from the Clinical Research Institute at National Taiwan University.[1]

Career

After graduation, Lin was a cardiovascular surgeon at National Taiwan University Hospital and later became its superintendent.[1] He served as the hospital's 11th superintendent until May 20, 2008. He also taught and published as a professor at National Taiwan University's medical school.[2]

Department of Health minister

In May 2008, Lin took office as the minister of the Department of Health for Taiwan. The China Post reported that as a former high school classmate of President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九), he was persuaded to join the cabinet "for old time's sake" and to help with the National Health Insurance system's financial difficulties,[3] while pledging that the department had no immediate plans to increase premiums.[4] At the time of his inauguration, he had the highest public support of any cabinet member.[3]

During an outbreak of enterovirus in June 2008, Lin said it “was out of control and all we can do is pray,” a remark that he later apologized for. Several members of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) criticized him for his handling of the epidemic, among them caucus whip Yeh Yi-ching (葉宜津) who called for Lin's resignation.

In September, in response to the 2008 Chinese milk scandal, Taiwan had banned the importation of milk products from mainland China when some were found contaminated with melamine. But on September 24, Lin's DOH, following standards in other countries like the United States,[5] cleared milk products for sale that had trace amounts of the industrial chemical.[6] That change in policy met with criticism from the DPP and public protests. Lin resigned two days later, saying, "The Department of Health's decision, made for efficiency's sake, caused misunderstandings and shattered consumer confidence. I should take responsibility."[7] Serving for only 128 days, he had the shortest tenure of any cabinet member since Liu Chao-shiuan (劉兆玄) became premier.[3]

Return to hospital administration

In January 2009, The Taipei Times reported that Lin had been appointed to head the Taipei Veterans General Hospital, and would be the first superintendent in its 50-year history never to have previously worked there.[8] Current and former staff criticized Lin's appointment to head the hospital, saying it was politically motivated. Lin's successor at the Department of Health, Yeh Ching-chuan (葉金川), denied that accusation, and saying that President Ma was not part of the decision to appoint Lin.[9] Lin was inaugurated as the hospital's eighth superintendent on January 16, 2009,[10] where he served until January 2015.[1]

From 2015 to 2021, Lin was president of the Far Eastern Memorial Hospital.[11]

Personal life

Lin is married to his wife, Lin Ching-yun(林靜芸), a celebrity cosmetic surgeon and the founder of Jean's Clinic of Plastic Surgery.[10]

Medical publications
  • Hsu, Ron-Bin & Yue, Lin. (2008). Nontyphoid Salmonella Infection in Heart Transplant Recipients. The American journal of the medical sciences. 336. 393–6. 10.1097/MAJ.0b013e31816a8973.
  • Chen YC, Chang SC, Tsai KS, Lin FY. Certainties and uncertainties facing emerging respiratory infectious diseases: lessons from SARS. J Formos Med Assoc. 2008 Jun;107(6):432-42. doi: 10.1016/S0929-6646(08)60150-3. PMID 18583213; PMCID: PMC7135137.
  • Chiang, Chi Huei & Yue, Lin. (2010). Principles of Pulmonary Protection During Heart Surgery. 10.1007/978-1-84996-308-4_47.
  • Other medical publications

References
  1. "Previous Leadership" (PDF). Taipei Veterans General Hospital. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  2. Public Relations Office (1 December 2008). "2008NTUH NEWS-New Superintendent" (PDF). National Taiwan University Hospital. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  3. "DOH head quits over milk scare". China Post. Taiwan (ROC). 26 September 2008. Archived from the original on 26 September 2008. Retrieved 2 April 2010.
  4. Review, Asia Insurance. "New Taiwanese Health Minister Won't Raise Health Insurance Premiums for Time Being". Asia Insurance Review. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  5. "Taiwan health minister quits". www.asiaone.com. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  6. "Health minister resigns over milk crisis - Taipei Times". www.taipeitimes.com. 26 September 2008. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  7. "Taiwanese minister quits over tainted milk". UPI. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  8. "Former DOH head appointed chief of veterans hospital - Taipei Times". www.taipeitimes.com. 3 January 2009. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  9. "Newspaper runs ad critical of Lin's TVGH appointment - Taipei Times". www.taipeitimes.com. 8 January 2009. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  10. "Lin Fang-yue takes over Taipei Veterans Hospital - Taipei Times". www.taipeitimes.com. 17 January 2009. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  11. Magazine, Far Eastern. "Current Edition". Far Eastern Magazine (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 4 November 2022.
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