SEOUL, South Korea – The 5th Woojoong Kim Medical Awards recently recognized a group of healthcare professionals whose unwavering commitment to medical accessibility, often in challenging and underserved environments, stands as a testament to the highest ideals of medicine. Among the distinguished recipients was Dr. Myung-Seok Choi (64), director of the Shinan Daewoo Hospital on Bigeumdo Island in Jeollanam-do, whose 18-year tenure as the island's dedicated physician highlights a profound personal sacrifice for community well-being.
Eighteen Years on Bigeumdo
Dr. Choi's connection with Bigeumdo began in 2008 when he acquired the Shinan Daewoo Hospital. Since then, he has adopted a demanding schedule, traveling to the mainland only once every two weeks, effectively serving as the sole primary physician for the residents of this medically vulnerable island community.
When asked about his philosophy on treating patients, Dr. Choi stated simply, "While you are seeing a patient, you must not think about money but do your very best." This principle has guided his practice and his persistent efforts to improve the island's medical infrastructure.
Upon starting his practice on Bigeumdo, Dr. Choi observed a dire situation where emergency patients needing treatment outside of normal hours often had to rely on fishing boats for the dangerous journey to the mainland. This critical gap in care spurred him to champion the introduction of a robust emergency patient transfer system, including the vital addition of a doctor helicopter.
His work was instrumental in having the Shinan Daewoo Hospital's emergency room designated as the sole Regional Emergency Medical Institution in Shinan-gun in 2010.
Despite his recent recognition, Dr. Choi remains focused on the future sustainability of the hospital. "If I leave here, the hospital will inevitably have to close its doors," he noted. "My goal is to create a structure that allows this hospital to be sustainable, even after I stop practicing medicine."
Honoring Rural and Essential Care Pioneers
The awards ceremony, established by the Daewoo Foundation in 2021 to support medical professionals dedicating themselves to underserved areas, also celebrated several other figures whose careers exemplify profound dedication to public service and essential care. The Daewoo Foundation itself was established in 1978 with a private donation from the late Kim Woo-Choong, founder of the Daewoo Group.
Dr. Sang-Yang Wi (82), former director of the Jangsu-gun Public Health Medical Center, was recognized for his extraordinary 20 years of service across four terms as a medical center director in rural communities. Dr. Wi first began his work in Jangsu-gun in 1971 with assignment to a village lacking medical services, and after operating a private clinic in Jeonju for 18 years, returned to public service at the request of local governments. He served as the director of the Imsil-gun Public Health Medical Center for six years and then led the Jangsu-gun Public Health Medical Center for a total of 14 years across three terms.
Dr. Wi’s commitment to his patients is absolute: "Calls from patients come day and night; I have never turned off my mobile phone for 24 hours," he said. "I consider it a great honor to stay by my patients' side until my dying day."
Recognizing Essential Care and Global Outreach
The awards also highlighted excellence in essential medical fields. Dr. Jin-Dong Jeon (53), director of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at MizMedi Hospital, was honored for his critical role in maternal and fetal safety, having personally delivered over 10,000 babies in his 20-year career.
The Medical Volunteer Awards recognized healthcare professionals for their charitable work:
Dr. Chang-Kyun Yoon (48): A KOICA Global Cooperation Doctor who has been stationed at the Ras Desta Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, since 2019, training local medical staff in cataract surgery.
Dr. Jae-Yong Park (58): Director of Perio Dental Clinic, who has provided free treatment for migrant workers and marginalized individuals at the 'Dorothy's House' free clinic in Busan for 17 years.
Lee Hyeong-Sim (54): Director of the Gwangseok Primary Health Care Post in Jindo-gun.
The Korean Women Dentists Association.
Kim Sun-Hyeop, Chairman of the Daewoo Foundation, remarked that this year’s selection process particularly focused on areas struggling with declining populations, healthcare scarcity, and the isolated nature of essential medical sectors such as island communities. The award ceremony is scheduled to be held on December 9th at Yonsei University’s Baekyang Nuri Hall.
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