- Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital-
An exciting showdown between the TSG Hawks and Uni-President Lions took place at Chengcing Lake Baseball Stadium on July 5, but another remarkable highlight unfolded in the stands. Kaohsiung Medical University and its healthcare system hosted the inaugural “KMUH System TSG Hawks Baseball Family Day,” bringing together nearly 1,700 faculty members, healthcare professionals, students, and family members from one university and four affiliated hospitals. The event set a new record for the largest attendance by a single organization at a TSG Hawks home game.
As cheers echoed throughout the stadium, KMUH participants energized the crowd with wave after wave of coordinated cheers and stadium waves, transforming the ballpark into a sea of enthusiasm. The event showcased the unity, passion, and strong sense of belonging that define the KMUH family, while turning the healthcare community’s commitment to caring for lives into active support for Taiwanese baseball and the promotion of healthy lifestyles.
One of the highlights of the day was the unique dual ceremonial first-pitch event. KMU Chairman Chien-Chih Chen presented the baseball to university and hospital leaders before Vice President Chih-Lung Lin of Kaohsiung Medical University and Superintendent Hsuan-Ti Huang of KMU Gang-Shan Hospital delivered the ceremonial pitches. The ceremonial batting was performed by Deputy Superintendent Chia-Yen Tai of Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital and Superintendent Chih-Hsing Hung of Kaohsiung Municipal Siaogang Hospital. Serving as honorary umpires were Dr. Po-Hsi Chou, Director of the Department of Orthopedics at Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital, and Dr. Shang-Chih Huang, Director of the Precision Sports Medicine and Health Promotion Center at Kaohsiung Medical University.
Led by Chairman Chen, healthcare professionals who usually wear white coats stepped onto the baseball field in team jerseys, symbolizing the values of teamwork, perseverance, excellence, and resilience that unite both sports and medicine.
Joining the event were numerous university and hospital leaders, including Vice President Fan-Hao Chou and Secretary-General Shu-Hung Huang of Kaohsiung Medical University; Secretary Yen-Ko Lin of Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital; Vice Superintendent Chih-Jen Huang of KMU Gang-Shan Hospital; Vice Superintendents Peng-Ju Huang and Cheng-Yi Wu of Kaohsiung Municipal Siaogang Hospital; and Medical Secretary Li-Chia Yang of Kaohsiung Municipal CiJin Hospital. Together with colleagues and their families, they enthusiastically cheered on the TSG Hawks.
To mark the first Baseball Family Day, Dr. Shang-Chih Huang was invited to serve as the employee representative. A former baseball player who became the first athlete in KMU baseball team history to hit a home run in the University Baseball Championship, Dr. Huang’s journey from student athlete to sports medicine specialist reflects the university’s longstanding sports culture. His career embodies the KMUH spirit of transforming determination on the playing field into a professional commitment to protecting lives and advancing public health.
Chairman Chien-Chih Chen noted that the KMUH system, consisting of one university and four affiliated hospitals, has long been dedicated to educating healthcare professionals and safeguarding public health. Guided by the principle that “Wherever there is a need, KMUH will be there,” the organization continuously strives to improve healthcare quality while actively supporting President Lai Ching-te’s Healthy Taiwan initiative.
By integrating healthcare, education, and health promotion, KMUH encourages regular physical activity and preventive medicine while aspiring to become a catalyst for social change. Through precision medicine, sports medicine, workplace well-being initiatives, and sustainable healthcare development, KMUH continues to advance ESG goals and university social responsibility. Its vision is to spread the seeds of health beyond hospitals and campuses into communities and households, making the values of Healthy Taiwan an integral part of the KMUH culture.
Vice President Chih-Lung Lin added that Kaohsiung Medical University has long been recognized for its vibrant sports culture and is often referred to as a “sports-oriented university.” Students commonly balance academics during the day with athletic activities in the evening, and the brightly lit athletic fields at night have become a distinctive feature of campus life.
KMU was also the first medical university in Taiwan to establish master’s and doctoral degree programs in sports medicine. More recently, it launched the Precision Sports Medicine and Health Promotion Center, which integrates academic research resources with clinical expertise to support national health policies and encourage lifelong physical activity across all age groups.
To expand its social impact, the university has recently partnered with Taiwan’s Ministry of Sports on the Adaptive Sports Transition and Promotion Program, helping individuals with disabilities gain equal and accessible opportunities to participate in sports and physical activity. The initiative reflects KMU’s commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind in the pursuit of a healthier Taiwan.
Deputy Superintendent Chia-Yen Tai of Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital emphasized that, as Taiwan’s oldest private university-affiliated teaching hospital, the hospital is committed to fulfilling its responsibility as a medical center in protecting athlete health. Through its partnership with the TSG Hawks, KMUH has assembled multidisciplinary teams across its healthcare system to provide comprehensive health management, injury prevention, and sports medicine services for players, serving as a trusted medical partner for the team.
This year marks the hospital’s 69th anniversary, celebrated under the theme “Building a Happy Workplace, Advancing Sustainable Healthcare.” Baseball Family Day was one of the signature events of the anniversary celebrations.
Recognizing that healthcare professionals provide uninterrupted services throughout the year—including during typhoons and public holidays—the hospital specially invited staff members who had remained on duty during severe weather events and national holidays to attend the game with their families. Through the excitement of baseball, KMUH hoped to provide an opportunity for relaxation, family bonding, and appreciation for the dedication of healthcare workers who tirelessly protect patients every day.
▲The KMUH system hosted its first-ever Baseball Family Day, attracting nearly 1,700 participants from one university and four affiliated hospitals and setting a new attendance record for a single organization at a TSG Hawks home game. Chairman Chien-Chih Chen (back row, fifth from right) joined university and hospital leaders in the ceremonial first-pitch event.
▲Leaders from Kaohsiung Medical University and its healthcare system prepare for the ceremonial first pitch as KMUH colleagues enthusiastically cheer from the stands, demonstrating the energy, unity, and team spirit of the KMUH family.
▲During the featured dual ceremonial first-pitch event, Chairman Chien-Chih Chen (right 2) presented the baseball before Vice President Chih-Lung Lin (right 1) and Superintendent Hsuan-Ti Huang of KMU Gang-Shan Hospital (left 2) delivered the ceremonial pitches. Deputy Superintendent Chia-Yen Tai (left 3) of Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital and Superintendent Chih-Hsing Hung of Kaohsiung Municipal Siaogang Hospital then stepped up to bat, officially opening the event.
▲KMUH and the TSG Hawks have established a sports medicine partnership that integrates multidisciplinary healthcare teams across multiple hospitals to provide comprehensive health management, injury prevention, and sports medicine support for players and cheerleaders.
▲Employees and family members from the KMUH system’s university and four affiliated hospitals enthusiastically participated in the inaugural Baseball Family Day, creating a festive atmosphere that matched the intensity of the summer heat.
▲“Dr. Sheep,” the popular mascot of KMU Gang-Shan Hospital, made a surprise appearance at the stadium, interacting with participants and posing for photos while symbolizing the warmth, vitality, and unity of the KMUH family.
▲As healthcare services never stop, Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital invited employees who remained on duty during typhoons and public holidays to enjoy the game with their families, expressing appreciation for the healthcare heroes who work tirelessly to care for patients.