人物專訪：莊盛全醫師-璽悅產後護理之家創辦人
Interview with Dr. Jesse Chuang, Post Partum Expert

(English Article Follows)

文/張家嫻  攝影/酒文集  圖片/璽悅產後護理之家

莊盛全醫師，璽悅產後護理之家創辦人，曾任職於馬偕、新光醫院擔任婦產科醫師。

百忙中抽空坐下來和我們聊聊，莊醫師創業想法以及屬於他的個人故事。

才剛踏進訪談地點，迎面而來的是莊醫師爽朗的笑聲，在這炎熱的午後，令人精神一振!

「 其實我一直以來想做的是室內設計師不是醫生 !」 莊醫師直接切入話題。

我覺得我是個non-mainstream的人，從小因父母工作關係，必需跟著到處跑，我住過巴拉圭、巴西、日本、菲律賓並考上美國醫師執照。最後我選擇回來台灣從事婦產科醫生，但其實當年是想從事室內設計師，由於家庭偏向東方傳統，加上親戚也都是從醫，父母不希望自己的未來像他們一樣各地奔波，所以媽媽希望自己從事醫師這條路，使生活家庭穩定。但我心中始終有個室內設計師念頭。

回台灣後擔任婦產科醫師，一晃眼從就是12年，由於自己個性較為活潑，加上從小學開始在國外生活，喜歡和人互動，沒有從醫就只能往學術發展的想法，所以當時被派去出席，當時新光醫院評估月子中心業務市場分析報告，雖然最後評估未開設，但聽過許多次報告後，覺得這些方案是可行且有商機，就這樣放棄太可惜了，加上看到醫院旁的房屋招租訊息，300坪一個月只要18萬租金，當下毅然決然辭去醫師工作，把房屋拿去貸款當起了創業家。

創業就是不要想太多一股勁往前衝!

莊醫師說「12年前月子中心還不普遍，當時月子中心開始起步，算是搭上順風車，第一家月子中心剛開始成立半個月時間，20張房間全部滿床」

可能因為當時年輕，才30幾歲出頭，沒多想就衝了，辭去穩定醫生工作去開月子中心，現在回想起來，其實還滿危險的，莊醫師大笑著說。

璽悅產後護理之家房間20~30個左右，屬於小型量體，優質服務的型態，目前平均兩年設立一家月子中心，從2006年開始到現在目前經有7家的月子中心，後續也評估在台灣以外國家設立月子中心，近期也在跟法國的醫院接洽中，加上目前和新光集團一起共同合作，無論在資金或是地產方面的資源都更加有力，讓這條路能走的更穩更遠。

少子化的現今，是否會擔心對經營上有所衝擊

當談論到台灣目前生育率，一對夫妻平均生0.8個小孩，少子化是否會衝擊到月子中心經營

莊醫師專業的分析著，雖然台灣目前面臨少子化問題，但實際上月子中心使用率是上升的，以數據來看，12年前使用月子中心新手媽媽，比例約為13%~15%，100位新手媽媽僅有13~15位會使用月子中心。到18年統計結果，則是每10位新手媽媽就有6位媽媽選擇月子中心，加上目前市場上競爭較以往多，坐月子價格較以往更親民，增加新手媽媽使用月子中心意願。

 

從醫生轉到創業家，是一條專才到通才的路

一直面帶陽光笑容的莊醫師，收起燦笑認真的說，在轉換過程中最大的困難或阻力是來自於，經營企業有許多規範，和內部管理，和當醫生是完全不同的，當醫生要做的就是把病人醫治好，以及對抗疾病，但目前大多數疾病可被醫治，或透過檢查找到原因治療，但企業管理和經營，就不是這麼單純了，從法律規範到內部管理要層層考量，而且管理沒有標準答案，莊醫師調皮的說，舉個例子，每次開完會後，個個點頭如搗蒜，表現認同，但轉身後卻有各種意見或想法，莊醫師露出了無奈的表情。

12年過程中，最感謝的就是一起陪我努力的夥伴們

月子中心是讓媽媽和寶寶安心的修養的地方，我印象中最深刻是遇過一個剛出生的寶寶，有膽道閉鎖不全的症狀，我們護理人員都是非常用心照顧，一發現寶寶異狀，及時讓寶寶就醫緊急開刀，最後寶寶治療成功，那位媽媽的笑容至今仍浮現我腦海中。另外也發生過媽媽在產後第三週有大出血的狀況，當下也是協助送醫，發現是有一小塊胎盤未清理乾淨，導致發炎，最後順利手續取出，並在休養一星期後順利出院。這些的印象深刻的經歷，都是因為有這些護理人夥伴們的細心，給予媽媽和寶寶安心的力量。當然還有一件最開心的事情就是，終於有機會能實踐室內設計師夢想，每個分館的設計，我都會與室內設計師一同討論，莊醫師再度露出陽光男孩笑容說著，所以除了創業之外，每個分館都算是我實現夢想的一部分吧。

“Hey, look at me!” 我的機會也是我自己去創造出來的

我經常會跟年輕員工說，對於想追求的事情，不要害怕勇於嘗試。或許年輕人會說，因為你們那個年代機會比較多，所以比較容易成功。 但如果我沒有那些實戰醫師經驗、值班的夜晚，我就不會有月子中心創業想法。每一個年代有不同的機會，但要打開眼睛，看看身處環境趨勢，機會就在那兒了! 並堅持不輕言放棄，困難是正常的，創業就是這麼回事。

 

後記：

訪談過程中莊醫師始終帶著陽光型男微笑，還有爽朗的笑聲，其實無論從小在國外求學階段，到卸下醫師光環創業，有很多旁人看不到的辛苦。或許有些人會羨慕從小可以在國外生活，但殊不知東方人的臉孔，經常引來當地人欺負與霸凌。” 被欺負是經常的事 ”，莊醫師輕鬆的說著。11歲時有一次要去朋友家練彈吉他，走在路上時突然有6個小孩往自己靠過來，那時還傻傻想反抗，結果被較高大的小孩往臉上踢了一腳，整個嚇傻了。到了朋友家後，拿出吉他琴譜時手一直在發抖著，可能被欺負經驗多了，最後發現一個方式就是，當發現可能會被打劫時，趕緊走到馬路中，讓車子大聲按喇叭，那些人就會被嚇跑。突然想到剛才莊醫師談到，創業要睜大眼睛，觀察周遭看到商機，或許因為從小在國外生活的經歷，讓莊醫師對於遭環境有高度觀察力及敏感度，找到解決方式或嗅到機會，並實際去嘗試以及堅持，或許是這位有著陽光笑容的莊醫師成功的原因吧。

 

 

From Physician to Entrepreneur

Dr. Jesse Chuang, the founder of Ma Cherie Post-Partum Center, is taking time from his hectic schedule to meet with us today for this interview, and relating to us about his Company, life and principles.  Previously, Jesse was an OBGYN doctor at the McKay and Shin Kong Hospitals in Taipei.  On a very hot, humid summer day, we hear first Jesse’s laughter, which seems to brighten our day and provide some needed energy.

Jesse begins, “I originally had great interest in interior design, so it’s quite different how my life evolved.  I feel that the development of my life can be described as “non-mainstream”.  Although I was born in Taiwan, my parents had business all over the world, so I accompanied them to many different countries.  My childhood was primarily spent in South America – I attended grade school in Paraguay and Brazil.  I am fluent in Spanish, but only speak a little Portuguese.  Then I traveled with my parents to Japan and the Philippines, where I received my medical doctor’s degree.  However, while I had an interest in interior design, most of my Taiwanese relatives were in medicine, and my parents felt that this was the most appropriate profession for me.”

Jesse continues, “I worked as a physician at Shin Kong Hospital for 12 years.  Then, because of my varied background and interests, and flexible approach to life, Shin Kong asked me to attend meetings on their behalf to understand how to operate a post-partum center.  It was the Hospital’s decision not to pursue this project further.  However, I saw the great potential that this opportunity presented, and I made the decision to develop in the field of business, rather than further my medical career.  I then resigned my position as a physician at the hospital and began my business career.  Coincidentally, a large, suitable space to develop my first post-partum center became available next to the Hospital.  Not thinking about it too much, I used my house as collateral to obtain a loan to invest in this property.

 

“When starting a business, don’t think too much, just get started!”

Jesse explains with a chuckle, “Twelve years ago, there weren’t many post-partum centers in Taiwan, so business was good.  When I first started, it only took 2 weeks to fill my 20-rooms post-partum center.  Because at the time I was only in my early 30s, I did not take into too much consideration the risks involved with changing careers, and then starting a relatively new business.”

“Most of our post-partum centers average between 20 to 30 rooms.  Since 2006, we have been expanding our operation by one center every 2 years; so now we have a total of 7 post-partum centers.  Shin Kong Hospital is also a key investor in our operation, which is a great advantage.  Presently, we are considering expanding overseas, and are even talking with some interested French investors.

 

“Does the decline of the birthrate in Taiwan negatively impact the post-partum business?”

Jesse replies, “While the reproductive rates in Taiwan have dropped to less than 1 child per couple, the post-partum business is still expanding.  Twelve years ago, out of 100 births, about 13% to 15% of the mothers would choose to use the services of a post-partum center.  However, now about 6 women in 10, or 60% of the new mothers chose to use the post-partum services.  In addition, with this business (as with other successful businesses) there is more competition, which drives the prices for these services down.  Therefore, at this time our business outlook is optimistic.”

 

 “There is a big difference between being a Professional Physician and a Corporate Head”

As a physician, your main responsibility is the health of the patient and using all methods and medicines available to allow your patient return to good health.  However, as the head of a corporation, you have many rules and regulations to abide by, personnel to lead and be responsible for, and many different responsibilities to cover.  As medicine has developed over the years, there are many diagnoses, test equipment, medicine and procedures to overcome illness and injury.  However, in corporate business, there are disparate responsibilities, including, finance, human resources, marketing, sales, plant, etc. which must be considered – – – and there are no “standard” or “correct” methodologies to address every situation in a corporate environment.

 

“In the last 12 years of the development of Ma Cherie, I am most grateful to my staff who has shared my challenges.”

Jesse relates to us two of his most memorable experiences,

“The purpose of a post-partum center is to provide a safe and comfortable environment for the newborn baby and mother to gain strength following childbirth, and to minimize any complications.  One of my deepest recollections was when one of our nurses noticed that one particular baby did not exhibit the proper coloration of a newborn baby.   Immediately, the doctors were advised and the baby was sent to a hospital, where it was discovered that it was suffering from BACH (an infant-related disease of the gall and liver).  Surgery was immediately conducted on the baby, and fortunately, the baby returned to normal.  The thankful, happy face of the mother when she saw her baby again is an indelible memory in my mind.

 

In another incident, there was a newborn mother who was bleeding profusely.  She was immediately sent to the hospital, where they discovered that the placenta was only partially removed, which caused the bleeding.  This condition was corrected, and the mother was able to return to our Center to properly recuperate.

The happy outcome of both of these incidents was due primarily to the attention of my diligent and caring staff, who really have the health and safety of the newborn babies and mothers in heart.”

Jesse also related that his dreams of being an interior designer have been somewhat fulfilled by his participation in the interior designs of his 7 post-partum centers.

 

“Hey, look at me – I took advantage of the opportunities presented to me”

Jesse states, “I often tell my younger staff that if you want to accomplish something, don’t be afraid of a challenge or difficulties, as this is normal for any new idea or business.  You just have to make the good effort.  However, sometimes young people remark that there were more opportunities in the era that I grew-up.  My response to that is that every era has great opportunities, if you just open your eyes and mind to the possibilities.  Never give up!

In my case, if I didn’t have 12 years of experience working as a doctor in a hospital, or working long hours in the Emergency Room, I may not have gotten the idea to start my own business.”

 

Postscript:

Throughout the interview, Jesse is smiling, cheerful, and upbeat.  However, Jesse’s happy personality masks the challenges and difficulties that he had to overcome in order to be successful in business.  Perhaps many people envy Jesse’s opportunities to grow-up and be educated in foreign countries, but they also may not have taken into consideration the difficulties of being a child in a totally different culture, and the innate prejudices that Jesse may have encountered.

Jesse remarks, “Of course, I encountered prejudice, but those things are in the past.  I remember when I was in grade school, I was on my way to a friend’s house to practice playing the guitar.  While I was walking, I was surrounded by a group of six boys.  My first reaction was to fight, but the biggest boy kicked me in the face, much to my surprise.  That was the end of my fighting career.  I was still shaking when I arrived at my friend’s home.  I later learned that the safest tactic, if I was accosted by unfriendly boys, was to run to the roadside, so that drivers would see me being bullied, and honk their horns to scare the attackers away.

This little story can be related to business opportunity and development.  It is important to be aware of your surroundings, the people that you are dealing with, and potential opportunities that may come your way.  The fact that Doctor Jesse Chuang was raised overseas, perhaps enhanced his abilities to analyze various situations, and was one of the reasons that he was able to successfully pursue two different careers, and making a successful transition from one profession to another.