China will celebrate its third "Medical Workers' Day" on August 19. Eighty doctors across the country have been awarded the "Medal of Chinese Medical Woker." One of those being honored is Tao Yong, an ophthalmologist at Beijing Chaoyang Hospital. While the Chinese public may know his name from a horrific attack by his patient, the doctor hopes he will be remembered for more than the tragedy.

Tao was seriously injured when a former patient attacked him with a knife on January 20. After months of treatment, he returned to work even though he can only use one hand for most of his daily routines. Although he sees only a dozen patients now compared to around 70 to 80 in the past, Tao said the accident has not changed his career path.

"I can't perform surgery anymore, so I focus on the scientific research and promotion of medical knowledge now," he said.

Tao became a professor and department chief at the age of 35, one of the youngest doctors in China to reach that level. But he says what makes him proud is his innovation in ophthalmology. 

"Ten years ago, I started to establish the method of examination of the intraocular fluid. Now, Chinese ophthalmologists can use the examination of the intraocular fluid to make the diagnosis of ocular diseases [for] the first time," he said.

Tao has also been engaged in charity. He joined national programs to give free treatment in remote areas. He'd even paid the surgery bills for some poorer patients. After Tao was injured, his patients brought gifts and encouragement to him for that he had done.

The father of one of his patients, whom he'd known for 10 years, cried aloud when he saw the scar in Tao's hand, which Tao said is one of the most touching moments of his career. 

"He told me, he had cried twice so far in his life, one time for his son and the only other time for me," Tao said.

"Being a doctor is dangerous sometimes, but I think being a doctor can get a lot of happiness money can't bring. That's why I decided to continue my medical career even after the accident," he explained.

Tao was surprised by the attacker's motive since he had helped save him a great deal of money and also saved him from possible blindness. But from the incidents, he sees something deeper.

"I hope the in the future, the medical insurance will cover more and pay more to people with severe and chronic diseases, and public hospitals will be more public. The patients will not simply regard medical service as goods. I give you money, you must give me the good results," Tao said.

Having experienced the warmest and darkest moments of a doctor's career, Tao has chosen to hold on to his medical beliefs. 

"Years later, I hope people will take Doctor Tao as a doctor, a brave doctor, who sees the medicine as his belief and nothing can knock down him from the way to pursue a better medicine," he said.

Following several incidents of physical assault on doctors, including Tao, many hospitals across the country are now installing security checkpoints. China has also introduced a new law that aims to improve basic medical and health care and provide more protection and safety for medical personnel.