As a thoracic surgeon with over 40 years of experience in surgery and hospital leadership, my journey has included roles such as CEO of Seoul National University Bundang Hospital and President of the Asian Society for Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery. Throughout my career, I have been dedicated to advancing medical knowledge and expanding access to high-quality education.
In 2011, inspired by a vision to foster collaborative growth among Asia’s leading thoracic surgeons, I founded the Asian Thoracoscopic Education Program (ATEP). ATEP was established to unite surgeons across Asia, creating a platform to exchange expertise in thoracic surgery and elevate surgical education and patient care across the region. ATEP has particularly focused on Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS), a minimally invasive technique with the potential to transform thoracic surgery practices and improve patient recovery. Through numerous hands-on workshops and training sessions, ATEP has provided invaluable practical experience and mentorship to surgeons throughout Asia, training and inspiring a new generation of leaders in the field.
When COVID-19 posed new challenges and halted traditional education methods, I recognized the need to create a more resilient and innovative approach to sharing knowledge. From this necessity, the Asian Thoracic Academy (ATA) was born, ensuring that thoracic education and knowledge sharing could continue regardless of circumstances. Today, with cutting-edge technology, we can transcend physical boundaries, connecting young surgeons to essential educational resources from anywhere in the world. My vision for ATA is to empower young surgeons and healthcare professionals to develop their skills without leaving their hospitals or homes, ultimately improving patient outcomes and strengthening overall thoracic education.
Looking ahead, ATA will continue to evolve, standing as a beacon of inspiration and support for every dedicated, ambitious young thoracic surgeon and healthcare professionals across Asia and beyond.
