Department of Physical Therapy was established in 1988 and named the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine by the Ministry of Education. In its initial 4 years, the Director of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department in Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Xu-Dao Chang, had been invited and employed as adjunct chairman of the Faculty. Professor Xu has outstanding performance and immense experiences in education, research, and clinical fields. He led the Faculty for 4 difficult years. Professor Xu has delegated Director of General Rehabilitation, Dr. Liu-Zuo Ren, and senior physical therapist Zhang-Mei Lan to plan, implement, and execute matters in the Faculty. In the year 1990, the Faculty invited assistant professor Ling-Wen from the University of New York, USA, as guest professor for one year. He collaborated with Professor Ray-Yau Wang and Professor Mei-Wun Tsai to design course syllabus intended to establish a strong clinical education program.
In 1992, the Ministry of Education approved the name change of the Faculty to the “Faculty of Physical Therapy”. On 1st August of 1992, the Dean of Studies of the Yang-Ming University became the adjunct chairman of the Faculty. To bring the Faculty onto an international stage, an international collaboration agreement with the University of New York was signed in May 1994. The agreement facilitates the exchange of professors between the two universities to participate in lecturing, research, and continuing education.
On 1st July 1995, the National Yang-Ming College of Medicine became the National Yang-Ming University. The Faculty of Physical Therapy was placed under the umbrella of the School of Medical Technology and Engineering. In the same year, in August, alumnus Jing-Jong Chen, who was at that time the graduate chairman of the Sports Science Department of the National Taiwan College of Physical Education, was employed as faculty professor and chairman of the Faculty. His main responsibilities were to explore potential research areas and explore sourcing for research funding.
1st August 1997, assistant professor Ray-Yau Wang was elected as the chairman of the Faculty. She has been serving the Faculty since August 1989 and is a dedicated pioneer of the Faculty. In August 1999, she was promoted to professor and appointed as faculty professor; in addition, she became the 1st graduate chairman of the Institute of Physical Therapy. In August 2004, her extraordinary leadership and excellent capabilities in education and research led her to continue her post as faculty professor and graduate chairman, supported unanimously by all colleagues.
In addition to sophisticated treatment techniques and expansion of working arenas; advanced education and academic research are also important factors that will create a more mature and scientific-based path for physical therapy. Therefore, the Faculty academic staff is committed to training more physical therapists and is actively engaged in different research projects. The main objectives of establishing the Institute are to strengthen theoretical knowledge, understand mechanisms, and prove the effects of physical therapy treatment through scientific methods. In addition, the Faculty’s academic staffs are extensively involved in clinical services to treat patients, educating clinical practicum students, and conducting clinical research utilizing acquired knowledge and experience, resulting in enhancement of the physical therapy profession.
In addition to education and research, the academic staff is also involved in public affairs. In August 1997, Professor Ray-Yau Wang served as the 1st president of the Society of Taipei Physical Therapist, assistant professor Shawn-Jen Lee served as chief director, and assistant professor Shun-Hwa Wei served as vice director. With the co-operation of all other faculty members, they manage the first society of physical therapist in Taiwan. The faculty members appreciate the contribution of the Physical Therapy Association of R.O.C to the profession of physical therapy. They are part of the committee of the association repeatedly taking charge of planning and administration of re-education, developing? working areas, such as modes for children’s physical therapy, amending and improving the legislation related to physical therapy, editing textbooks of physical therapy, and handling secretarial jobs. In March of 2005, professor Ray-Yau Wang became the newly-appointed president of the Association. Many faculty members have also been appointed to serve the association in various positions. All of them are strongly devoted to the profession of physical therapy.