Hallym University Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital

On July 23rd, the autobiography 'Mighty Doctor' by the late Doheon Dai-Won Yoon, Chairman of the Ilsong Educational Foundation, was published. He was an exemplary leader who significantly advanced domestic medicine and wholeheartedly dedicated himself to helping the underprivileged.

Chairman Dai-Won Yoon took the office as the second Chairman in 1989, succeeding his late father, Ilsong Duck-Sun Yoon, who was the founder of Ilsong Educational Foundation. During his 35-year tenure, he led the development and expansion of Hallym University Medical Center, Hallym University, Hallym Polytechnic University, Hallym University of Graduate Studies, and six welfare centers.

The title of the autobiography, ‘Mighty Doctor’, refers to the value orientation that all doctors should pursue.

The autobiography ‘Mighty Doctor’ chronicles his life from childhood to the age of 79. It covers his challenging upbringing during the war, his involvement in a biological collection group that instilled in him a sense of awe for life, his struggles as a surgeon to save lives, and his experiences at the hospital. Additionally, it provides insight into the founding and management of universities and welfare centers.

In particular, this collection includes previously unknown stories, such as Chairman Dai-Won Yoon's past as a skilled doctor in Deokjeokdo, an outbreak of hepatitis, his diagnosis of liver cancer, and his liver transplantation. The book reflects his courageous spirit and belief in overcoming challenges and adversity.

Director Emeritus Mark A. Hardy of Transplant Center at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, who had a medical-academic partnership and had exchanges with Hallym, said, “Chairman Dai-Won Yoon has contributed to the development of cutting-edge medicine, helped underprivileged countries, and served humanity at the highest level.” In addition, President Emeritus Robert Kelly of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital in the United States stated, "He is the greatest and most inspiring person I know," and added, "He led everyone to participate with a bold vision of what everyone thought was impossible."

The late Chairman Dai-Won Yoon, born in 1945 in Yonggang-gun, Pyeongannam-do Province, as the first son of Duck-Sun Yoon, the founder of Ilsong Educational Foundation, graduated from Yongsan Middle School and Yongsan High School. Then, he completed his master's and doctoral degrees in The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine. Since then, he has contributed to the development of domestic medicine by successively performing Hallym University Medical Center's first kidney transplant surgery and Korea's first pancreas transplant surgery.

After taking office as the second Chairman of Ilsong Educational Foundation, he established Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital in 1999 and Hallym University Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital in 2013. He expanded Hallym University Medical Center into a large-scale institution under Ilsong Educational Foundation with establishment of 5 university hospitals (Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, and Hallym University Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital). In addition, starting with the opening of the Korea Senior Health and Medical Center in 1991, he operated Sillim Welfare Center, Anyang Welfare Center, Yeongdeungpo Senior Welfare Center, Narewul Welfare Center, and Dongtan Senior Welfare Center, serving as the cornerstone of medical social welfare services.

In 2003, the 'Mighty Hallym' initiative was launched to support Hallym University Medical Center and Hallym University in making strides on a global scale. The aim was to establish partnerships with leading international institutions and boost competitiveness. Chairman Yoon spearheaded collaborations with prominent universities and hospitals such as NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, Weill Cornell Medicine, UCLA in the United States, Uppsala University in Sweden, University of Oulu in Finland, University of Padova in Italy, and Nagoya City University and Nagasaki University in Japan. Since then, regular international academic symposiums have been organized to exchange the latest medical theories, contributing to advancements in the field of medical science.

In 2020, Chairman Yoon received Asia's first 'Linnaeus Medal in Gold' from Uppsala University in Sweden. This award recognizes his significant contribution to the advancement of medical science through international academic exchange. The Linnaeus Medal is named after Carl von Linné, the biologist who first classified plants and animals globally. Since 2007, Uppsala University has presented this award to individuals who have made exceptional achievements in the field of science. Chairman Yoon was honored for his work in developing gene and cell therapy research for incurable diseases and cancer through academic collaboration among Uppsala University, Hallym University, and Hallym University Medical Center.

Ilsong Education Foundation plans to donate all royalties from the autobiography to the Hallym Burn Foundation in accordance with the will of the late Doheon, Chairman Dai-Won Yoon.

The autobiography ‘Mighty Doctor’, which contains the life story of Chairman Yoon, can be purchased at online and offline bookstores such as Kyobo Book Centre, YES24, Interpark, YOUNGPOONG Bookstore, and BOOKS LIBRO, as well as Coupang.

By Hyun Ho Choi, International Cooperation Team, Hallym University Medical Center (dullie1989@hallym.or.kr)