1. Dr. Hyun, you are a successful physician
and a respected member of the community. What was your particular background
that motivated you to pursue your career? As a doctor, you may have gone
through various obstacles; can you share some of the most difficult moments
during your career?
- I was originally trained as a basic research
scientist. In both undergraduate and graduate years, I had an interest in basic
science, specifically in the field of cell membrane transport. After my PhD in
Biophysics, I pursued postdoctoral studies in cell physiology. I was fascinated
by numerous underlying cellular mechanisms, regulating electrolyte and nutrient
transport, which are essential for survival. I studied these mechanisms in both
health and diseased states, which often manifest as diarrhea. Clinical
implications of these studies are obvious if we consider that diarrhea is one
of the top disease threats. Root of the problems for many diarrheal disorders
is found in the altered mechanisms of transport, and understanding the
mechanisms and regulations provide a key to solution. I decided to pursue my
career in medicine during my postdoctoral years. So, I began my medical school
years, followed by medical residency and gastroenterology fellowship.
After gastroenterology fellowship, I had a
busy life as a physician scientist at a university medical center, doing both
clinical medicine and bench research. As a physician scientist, one has to keep
up with the latest tools and treatments, and at the same time, face an
unprecedented explosion of scientific discoveries. While it was quite
challenging, it brought me a unique perspective to biomedical research because
it inspired me with my personal experiences in caring for patients.
It wasn’t until I contact with the Korean
American community in New York, which led me to a new career path as a
full-time clinician in a private practice. The transition from physician
scientist to a full-time clinician was not easy. However, there was a strong
need for medical expertise in our community which overlapped with my focus and
interest. Subsequently, I began to discover the ‘clinician in me’ and enjoy
taking care of patients.
2. You’ve served as the president for Korean
American Medical Association (KAMA) for two consecutive terms. Also, you are
the founding president of World Korean Medical Organization (WKMO) and have
contributed tremendously to the public welfare. What is your reasoning and
motivation to create and operate such activities? Additionally, you’ve led
numerous WKMO activities such as expanding regional chapters in over 10
countries. Where does your underlying strength come from?
- Throughout the world, Korean medical
communities have great resources and we are in the position to lead the future
of medicine and matters of global health. This can only be achieved if and only
if we unite and work for the same goal! Our successes rely on vibrant networks
amongst Korean physicians and their communities. Networking is equivalent to
continuing education because the more we learn, the greater chance we have at
succeeding. We often hear education being compared to ‘filling of a bucket’ in
providing students with information and data. However, real education is not
only filling up the bucket, but also making the bucket bigger to accommodate
more creative thoughts and information. This is what networking is and what it
can offer. We make the bucket bigger to embrace the greater diversity.
Networking is also about making relationships. It is a collective movement that
can empower all of us in every aspect of our lives.
KAMA and WKMO are only two examples of these
Kim, Dr. Sang Choon Cha networks. Each one of them has uniquely different roles
and potential to contribute to our community. KAMA is a nationwide networking
organization promoting collegiality among the Korean American physicians and
empowering them to serve the community. WKMO is an international network,
connecting Korean physicians and their organizations throughout the world.
WKMO’s goal is to create a synergy through collaboration between different
nations. KAMA and WKMO ultimately share common goals in their efforts to
strengthen and facilitate the network of Korean physicians. The scopes and
approaches of our organizations, however, are different and can be tailored to
the different leaderships.
I am energized and motivated when I think of
the potentials of Korean physicians and our roles in the community. The vision
of global leadership and the difference we can make give great meanings to me
and my core identity.
3. We have heard that you are interested in
competitiveness of Korean healthcare systems. As a physician practicing in the
US, what is the reason to have interests in global competitiveness of Korean
medical industry and its advance into global markets?
- The scope of achievements in medicine and
science demonstrated in Korea was remarkable during the past five decades.
Modern medicine and bio-health industry in Korea represent a clear symbol of
cutting edge medical research and advanced clinical care. In an era of
globalization, the modern medical progress in Korea offers an unprecedented
potential to enhance global health.
There are over 36,000 overseas Korean
physicians outside the Korean peninsula, many of whom are international experts
in their own fields. One may consider WKMO as a bridge connecting these vast
human resources to Korea and vice versa. This leads to mutually beneficial
experiences for both WKMO and Korea. Since, they share the same goals to
promote awareness of the Korean medical sector and to contribute to the
advancement of global healthcare.
For example, WKMO held 2nd Annual Convention
in Las Vegas in 2013 under the theme named, ‘Partnership between Physicians and
Health Industry’. We featured two specialty forums to evaluate and demonstrate
the various roles physicians have in the advancement of the biomedical industry
and the healthcare business. The first forum was called ‘Role of physicians in
Drug development’, which consisted of Korea’s pharmaceutical CEOs and experts
in the United States. It covered various areas of drug development and the role
of physicians in the pharmaceutical industry. The second forum titled ‘Advances
in medical Imaging’ featured radiology faculty from different institutions who
touched on various tools and technologies and provided important insights into
modern medical imaging. We also heard from Samsung Medison and Electronics
regarding on their current and future plans in biomedical technology.
Additionally, similar imaging forums held during in 2014 and 2015 Conventions
in New York and Los Angeles.
4. You’ve successfully completed the first
term as president of WKMO and Dr. David Ko is elected as the next president.
What is the future plan and vision of WKMO along with the new leadership and
your support?
- Dr. Ko is a highly respected physician in
both America and the international community. He was the president of The
Korean American Medical Association (KAMA) in 2014. Most recently, he served as
the Chair for the 2015 WKMO Annual Convention in Los Angeles. His interest,
hard work and passion for the Korean physician network in the United States and
the rest of the world are highly regarded. Dr. Ko’s educations, experiences,
and particularly, his dedicated services and leaderships in WKMO and other
various academic societies make him eminently qualified to lead WKMO as the
president.
It has been a great honor and privilege for me
to serve as the president of WKMO for the past three years. I am thankful to be
a part of an organization that contributes to the careers and lives of many
physicians, and the community at large. It has been quite a journey for me and
I am grateful to all those who stood by me with their encouragement and
support.
I see tremendous potential for growth and
prosperity for WKMO. We have enormous resources in the background of
multicultural identity. Immediate goals of WKMO include advocacy for health
equity in our communities, and promotion of outreach activities in the
underdeveloped communities throughout the world.
5. You worked in a university hospital for
several years and moved on to a private practice for the Korean community. What
is your vision and philosophy about health services in community and healthcare
in general?
- The transition from physician scientist to a
full-time clinician was challenging. Private practice brought me the new
perspectives. The practice of medicine in a community setting is very different
from an academic center. Being in private practice, I learned how critical it
was to get to know a patient as a whole before attempting to diagnose their
medical problems. I learned how to communicate effectively with patients to get
to the root of the problem. Oftentimes, patients and their illnesses are
reflections of what their community has. As a result, it became critical that I
understand the community.
As our society becomes more racially and
ethnically diverse, physicians need to respond to patients’ various needs,
values, and behaviors concerning health. Failure to understand the
socio-cultural differences can have significant health consequences and
management for minority groups. For instance, there are over two million
Koreans living in the United States. Health issues of Korean Americans are
diverse and are often overlooked because of language and cultural barriers.
Healthcare providers have the responsibility to work with the community to
resolve these issues.
We also have to understand that current
healthcare has evolved as a complex and challenging interdisciplinary field.
Physicians have to go beyond the usual boundary of medicine, and interact with
scientists, engineers, businessmen, lawyers, policy makers, and others so
together we can safely navigate healthcare in today’s ever-expanding
multi-cultural and multi-ethnic society. We need to integrate the various
expertise and develop new perspectives. Organizations like WKMO provides a
platform for us to explore, interact, and establish a wholesome network through
which we can find innovative approaches to deal with the myriad of today’s
healthcare issues.
6. You are the founder of Asian Liver Center
at Holy Name Hospital and have established another non-profit organization,
Center for Viral Hepatitis (CVH). Why are you continuously emphasizing the
importance of awareness of Hepatitis diseases in the community?
- The most frequent cause of liver diseases
for Korean people, viral hepatitis B, is also a crucial topic of ethnic
disparity. There is a marked disparity between Asian Americans and White
Americans in the prevalence of chronic hepatitis B and its complications. For
instance, approximately 3-10 % of all Asian Americans have HBV infection
compared with 0.1% of White Americans. Patient-related obstacles mostly consist
of lack of awareness about the disease, language and cultural barriers, and
Insurance issues. Additionally, providers and healthcare systems currently
available in the US lack the understanding of the significance of chronic
hepatitis B. Specifically, there is a lack of public health systems to meet the
needs of multicultural populations. There is also a poor communication between
providers and patients of different racial, ethnic, or cultural backgrounds.
The Center for Viral Hepatitis (CVH) is a
nonprofit organization with the following missions: (A) to increase the
screening for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in high risk populations; and (B) to
develop strategies to provide and maintain the efficient linkage to clinical
care for Asian American CHB patients. CVH aims to reduce the impact of
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection and to limit the progression and
complications from HBV-related liver diseases, thereby reducing morbidity and
mortality associated with CHB.
With a serious lack of good health access
models available for minority populations in the United States, the need of CVH
and similar organizations is crucial to fight ethnic disparities and to promote
culturally competent healthcare. scientists, engineers, businessmen, lawyers,
policy makers, and others so together we can safely navigate healthcare in
today’s ever-expanding multicultural and multi-ethnic society. We need to
integrate the various expertise and develop new perspectives. Organizations
like WKMO provides a platform for us to explore, interact, and establish a
wholesome network through which we can find innovative approaches to deal with
the myriad of today’s healthcare issues.
7. As a highly experienced physician, do you have
any words of advice to medical students? And for other healthcare providers who
are not currently participating in Korean Medical associations like WKMO, what
is your advice?
- I can think of at least three good reasons
of why healthcare providers should join WKMO. First, it is the identity. We
join because it says ‘something’ about us, about our roots, and very special
commonness we share linguistically, culturally and historically. Second, we
join WKMO, so that we can connect and build relationships because through this
connection, we feel the power of belongingness. Third, we join for the sake of
community. We want to belong to the community that is not only Korean, but also
global community, so that our children can also re-identify with that same commonness
we share.
Whether it is WKMO or KAMA, we serve to build
a vibrant community. Be a part of the community with a purpose to share with
others that we have been blessed with.
Dr. Chul S. Hyun
Inaugural President of World Korean Medical
Organization
DR. CHUL S. HYUN obtained his B.A. from the Johns Hopkins University in 1977. After earning an M.D. from the University of Miami School of Medicine, he underwent internship and residency in Internal Medicine at Georgetown University Medical Center. Subsequently, he completed Gastroenterology and Liver Fellowship at Yale University School of Medicine. He is Board certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology and has been an attending gastroenterologist in New York Presbyterian Hospital where he currently serves as a clinical faculty in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the Weill Cornell Medical College. Dr. Hyun has served as the president of Korean American Medical Association (KAMA, 2011-2013) and is currently the President of World Korean Medical Organization (WKMO), a global network of 140,000 physicians of Korean descent. He is also the director general of CVH (Center for Viral Hepatitis).