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Local doctor Sam Hsieh continues to encourage thinking outside the box using what he calls divine creativity, and he wants to know about people who embody the "eternal struggle between conformity and creativity."

Back in May, Hsieh, a surgeon at Coulee Medical Center, shared with The Star the story of a special symbol he designed back in college. 

Hsieh shared how the symbol, representing divine creativity, evolved into a project in which he printed the symbol on hats, giving them to CMC staff and other community members. 

A letter included with the over 100 caps he gave out says that "the symbol echoes the eternal struggle between conformity and creativity, reality and imaginary. Do not be boxed by the framework and when necessary - don't hesitate, be passionate, be creative. We all harbor the power to revolutionize and be a trail blazer. It is our choice to unleash those shackles holding us back and emerge as a new beast entirely."

Hsieh said in a recent email to The Star that the symbol "also represents the creativity and ingenuity in all of us."

Since May, Hsieh has taken the project further, with a larger line of products (hats, clothing, keychains, temporary tattoos), a website, and the goal of highlighting people who embody the "divine appeal."

Some of the proceeds from the sale of the products will go to benefit CMC.

"CMC allowed me to display some of my items, so I wanted to donate it back to CMC, and it was the staff and everyone's inspiration, compassion and teamwork during covid that revive the sentiments of this logo of mine," Hsieh said in an email to The Star. "Any donations made to CMC can be used to help the organization affected directly or indirectly by covid." 

Ramona Hicks, chief executive officer at the hospital, weighed in on the project. "I think it is a lovely gesture from someone who cares about this community very much and has made it his home," she said. "This is Dr. Hsieh's way of giving back and boosting our morale."

"The hospital took a significant financial hit, especially in elective surgeries, when the governor stopped them, and we are just now recovering from this," Hicks said, elaborating on the effect the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the hospital.

Additional proceeds will go to various cancer foundations, such as the National Breast Cancer Foundation, for which a special breast cancer awareness hat is being produced for the month of October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Hsieh said he has had help in his project from his orthopedic surgeon, colleague Dr. Chris Sheu in Seattle, as well as from Lani Morales and Karah Duclos, both employees at CMC, who are helping him identify those who represent the divine appeal locally.

"If someone feels that someone fits the meaning of 'the divine appeal,' we want to know about it and recognize them, share their story," Hsieh said. "We want to know if someone is an inspiration to their community, someone with innovation and determination, someone who thinks outside the box, not boxed by the framework, and challenges the status quo."

The website https://thedivineappeal.com includes the products available for purchase, a further description of Hsieh's mission, as well as a place to nominate people who should be highlighted for embodying the divine appeal.

Hsieh also hosted a poker run on Oct. 11. in which 17 participants in a variety of vehicles went on a five-stop, 80-mile drive spanning from Coulee Dam to Crown Point to Coulee City to Wilbur and back to Grand Coulee, where a barbecue and raffle fundraiser was held at Coulee Plaza on Main Street.

Hsieh himself participated in the poker run, driving a small, red 2001 Honda S2000.

Stuart George, who drove a black 2000 Ford Mustang GT, won the event with the best poker hand, four 9s, and took home the trophy prize as well as a Divine Appeal Breast Cancer Awareness hat. 

"The car/motorcycle poker run went well," Hsieh said. "We had raffles for door prizes including Divine hats and accessories, a free oil change from Jess Ford, and a dinner for two from La Presa. The bbq went well. We kept it respectful with COVID. It was outdoors and families were socially distanced from each other. The event raised about $500! We will be making this an annual event and hopefully do it a little earlier next year with warmer weather."

Proceeds from the event are going to the National Breast Cancer Foundation and the March of Dimes.