Yonsei University Health System (YUHS) has begun operating the Hanim Precision Medicine Center, which will enhance its diagnostic and treatment capabilities for rare diseases.

YUHS said it held an opening ceremony for the Hanim Precision Medicine Center on the second floor of Severance Children's Hospital on May 4.

Located in three rooms on the second floor of Severance Children's Hospital, the new clinic has 22 specialists from 17 departments, including clinical genetics, pediatric neurology, pediatric endocrinology, endocrinology, neurology, pediatric orthopedic surgery, pediatric psychiatry, and obstetrics and gynecology, treat patients with rare genetic diseases.

Multi-disciplinary teams will provide patient-centered integrated care for tuberous sclerosis, neurofibromatosis, adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), and other rare genetic diseases. Specialized genetic counselors will provide appropriate genetic counseling on-site to help patients and families understand their disease. The clinic will also provide a follow-up referral system by connecting with social work teams.

According to YUHS, Hanim Precision Medicine Center will realize a circular structure of diagnosis, treatment, and research for rare genetic diseases and plans to expand its medical departments in the future to accelerate the overcoming of incurable diseases through gene and stem cell research.

"Yonsei University Health System will take the lead in conquering incurable diseases with the opening of the Hanim Precision Medicine Center, where specialized doctors from 17 departments will focus on diagnosis, treatment, and research," YUHS President and CEO Keum Ki-Chang said.

YUHS President Keum, Yonsei University President Yoon Dong-sup, Hanim Precision Medicine Center Deputy Director Kang Hoon-cheol, and Hanim Foundation executives, including Chairman Jeon Young-han, attended the opening ceremony.

Hanim Precision Medicine Center was established in May 2020 based on the endowment fund donated by Chairman Jeon to advance precision medicine. In 2019, Jeon pledged 5 billion won ($3.65 million) to support the construction of a genomic research center to study and treat rare genetic diseases and continued his donation, starting with 1 billion won.

Including the additional 1 billion won donated at the opening ceremony, Chairman Jeon's total donation has reached 3 billion won.