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Born in 1962, Venerable Shi Ming Yi (释明义法师) took his tonsure at the age of 21.
Guided by the principles of compassion and loving-kindness, Venerable Ming Yi bravely took on the challenges of looking after the needy sick in the 174-bedded Chronic Sick Unit of the former Woodbridge Hospital (now known as Institute of Mental Health) in September 1994, and founded Ren Ci Hospital. Today, this Long Term Care facility is one of the only two institutions in Singapore that provides care for Chronic Sick patients. After the founding of Ren Ci, Venerable Ming Yi continued his fervent efforts to reach out to the community. Under his dynamic leadership, Ren Ci Hospital progressively expanded its facilities and services to include nursing home, day rehabilitation centres, domicillary care (home care), as well as student and child care centres. He also envisioned the building of a Community Hospital back as early as 1997. However, initial plans for the Community Hospital were shelved after the chosen site was given up for other economic redevelopment. Meanwhile, the Sars outbreak foiled another renewed effort to revive the Community Hospital project in 2003. Eventually, after two failed attempts, Venerable Ming Yi's keen perseverance and determination finally paid off on 15 October 2005, with the official groundbreaking ceremony at the 0.5 hectare plot of land along Irrawaddy Road, where Ren Ci Community Hospital stands tall today. ''Being able to do something for the patients and talking to their families is the best satisfaction I can get. That's all I want,'' said Venerable Ming Yi in an interview with the Dharma Times. Relinquishing his leadership role from Ren Ci in 2008, Venerable Ming Yi left a legacy of unwavering love and care for the needy sick. His daring and selfless act of compassion during the inaugural Ren Ci Charity Show in 2003 - abseiling down from a 45-storey Suntec Tower - has not only touched the hearts of many Singaporeans, but has also become a hallmark of Ren Ci's fundraising heritage.
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