Nestled in the Eunpyeong-gu, northwestern Seoul, Eunpyeong St. Mary's Hospital has become an important center for healthcare and community service as it approaches its fifth anniversary.

Established to deliver comprehensive medical care, the hospital is particularly known for cardiac care, neurology, organ transplantation, hematology, and oncology.

The hospital said its commitment to these specialties has been instrumental in elevating the region's healthcare standard.

Korea Biomedical Review recently sat down with Eunpyeong St. Mary's Hospital President Bae Si-hyun to talk about the hospital's mission, challenges, and his vision for a healthcare revolution.

Having assumed leadership at the hospital four months ago, Bae has focused on restructuring the essential healthcare system.

"Our immediate focus has been on strengthening departments that have seen a significant drop in doctors, such as internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, emergency medicine for severe illnesses, cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, and neurosurgery, as well as in supporting clinical areas like anesthesiology," Bae said. "While we have been continuously making these efforts since the opening of the hospital, it's disheartening to see the essential healthcare  system worsening over time rather than improving."

As a hospital director, Bae finds it particularly challenging to operate in a reality where pediatric emergency rooms must be run at a loss.

Still, Bae stressed that this problem would be resolved if the hospital created a work environment that fostered happiness and pride among physicians.

Confronting the crisis in essential healthcare, Bae advocates for a comprehensive approach.

"We need to reevaluate the medical fees for under-supported departments. It's not just about increasing the number of doctors but about restoring respect and motivation in these critical areas," he said.

While the shortage of essential healthcare doctors is troubling, Bae still showed pride in the hospital's accomplishment as the hospital nears its fifth anniversary.

"The cardiac and neuro centers, in particular, have demonstrated remarkable growth and capability," Bae said. "We've significantly reduced the time to hospital arrival for thrombectomy patients, which is a major success."

Also, the Cardinal Kim Sou-hwan Memorial Organ Transplant Hospital, which opened in 2021, stands as a testament to the hospital's commitment to life-saving treatments and advanced medical procedures, he added.

Bae explained that as of August 2023, the transplant hospital demonstrated its high-level transplant capabilities by successfully performing a kidney transplant from a deceased donor using robotics surgery, a first in the country.

In a short period since its establishment, the hospital has achieved remarkable milestones, including 101 cornea transplants, 67 liver transplants, 89 kidney transplants, 14 heart transplants, two small intestine transplants, two pancreas transplants, one simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplant, and one lung transplant.

"The hospital also actively identifies patients from underprivileged backgrounds who hesitate to undergo transplantation due to financial difficulties and supports their surgery costs," he said.

It also regularly conducts memorial masses to honor the noble intentions of deceased donors and organ donation registration campaigns, leading the way in spreading the culture of donation, he added.

Looking towards the future, Bae outlines ambitious plans for 2024.

"Our aim is to reorganize our specialty areas, focusing on three primary sectors -- transplant, cardiac-neuro, and cancer," Bae said. "This strategy includes a comprehensive program to enhance the hospital's role in treating severe and emergency cases in the northern Gyeonggi region, particularly with the upcoming GTX-A project, which is a planned higher-speed commuter rail network in the Seoul metropolitan region."

This will position the hospital as a crucial provider for severe and emergency cases in the northern Gyeonggi region, he added.

Bae is equally passionate about the hospital's community engagement initiatives outside of the hospital.

The Eunpyeong St. Mary's Charity Association, driven by staff volunteers, has been instrumental in supporting vulnerable community members.

"Since 2019, the hospital has returned approximately 410 million won ($) to society and has supported treatment costs amounting to about 4.2 billion won for 4,954 patients," he said. "Our mission is aligned with the Catholic ethos of serving those in need."

In the realm of research, Bae envisions Eunpyeong St. Mary's as a leading institution in regenerative medicine.

"We have been designated as an 'Advanced Regenerative Medicine Practice Institution' in April of last year," he said. "This led to bold increases in research staff and expansion of research facilities, and as a result, the hospital's research achievements, including clinical research funding, research papers, patents, and applications, are second only to Seoul St. Mary's Hospital."

During the interview, Bae also sent out a message to his staff and patients based on unity and compassion.

"Creating a culture of 'Together, a Precious Patient-Centered Hospital' is about empathy and mutual respect," he said. "It's about listening, understanding, and caring for each other and the gesture of care is what defines us."

As the year begins, Bae is resolute in his vision for Eunpyeong St. Mary's.

His plan encompasses not just medical excellence but a holistic approach to healthcare that includes spiritual values and community integration.

"We are more than a hospital; we are a part of the community, and our mission is to ensure everyone we touch leads a healthier, happier life," Bae said.