“When I was born, my grandmother said I was destined to fly all over the world. When I heard this, I thought I was going to become a diplomat,” said Park. The prophecy was not completely wrong: As the president elect of MWIA and the formal chairman of KMWA, Park now has to travel frequently and undoubtedly represents the Korean doctors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Park’s mother was the first woman anatomist in Korea and a professor emeritus at KU. However, Park did not automatically follow in her mother’s footsteps. “I had many other dreams. At first I wanted to become a diplomat and then a geologist. Doctor was just one of the many options I was open to.” When finally deciding on a career, practicality stepped in.

 

 

Due to the poor economic conditions in Korea during the early 1970’s, getting a university scholarship in Korea was like searching for a needle in a haystack. Additionally, being hired in the United States (U.S.) was the best option for most because it guaranteed a successful career and an escape from poverty. Therefore, in order to go to the U.S. as a foreign doctor, Park chose the medical path and entered Korea University Medical School (KUMC).

 

 

 

When she entered KUMC, her hidden talents and passion for anatomy surfaced. “My mother never forced me to follow her footsteps, but somehow I found anatomy thrilling,” said Park. As a natural in the field of medicine,Park achieved summa cum laude at her graduation in 1976 and went to KUMC graduate school. In addition to pursuing excellence in her studies, Park said she had “fully enjoyed her college life.” “I was a very exuberant member of KUMC’s drama club. I remember going to school on a hot August morning in order to practice for my upcoming performance. I also participated in all sorts of activities, including English speech contests,” Park reminisced.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Park’s original plan to go to the U.S. changed when she met her husband and got married after graduation. Instead of going to the U.S., Park decided to pursue a future together with her husband by following him to Germany. Park’s husband, who is currently a professor at KUMC and the formal KUMC vice-president, was accepted at the University of Kiel for doctorate and research work. Although Park did not speak German and was not in Germany to continue her studies, she did not take the role of housewife. “I went to the research institute with my husband regularly. I participated in all the lab experiments and built my pool of knowledge. I could not just waste my talent and education.” 

Luckily, with her excellent résumé as a graduate of KUMC with a summa cum laude and her incredible enthusiasm, in the end, Park was able to receive a doctorate from the University of Kiel along with her husband. “In order to ask for a pursuance of a doctorate degree, I had to knock on the door of the dean’s office in order to ask for permission. It was one of the scariest moments of my life.” 

“My work as the president of KMWA ended last year. Its work and the contributions it makes to this community are quite diverse. Some of the group’s work include providing scholarships for women researchers and doctors, treating victims of sexual assaults, and raising the welfare facilities for women doctors.” For Park, the work of helping custodial grandparents and their grandchildren was her most meaningful accomplishment in the association. She focused on the physical as well as the mental health of such families.

 

 

 

 

In addition to helping needed patients, Park also trained women doctors in the treatment of sexually assaulted patients. “I especially focused on training women doctors who treat sexually assaulted women by writing manuals and having regular workshops. We were able to create networks of women doctors who would be available and capable at all times,” Park said.

 

 

 

The number of female students in the college of medicine is growing annually. “It is a matter of course that more female students are entering the field of medicine. In today’s world, women work alongside men equally,” said Park. “One of the jobs that win respect from society is that of doctor. It also gives more opportunities to serve the community and make one’s life worthwhile.”

 

Although discrimination against women doctors still exists in Korea, the situation is much better compared to that of the past. KMWA’s influence is also rising in Korea’s medical that of field and is helping more women doctors to be protected from discrimination and possible harassments. “When I was a student, there were deans who would naccept students because of their gender. Now, little by little, women doctors are gaining respect and acknowledgement from their peers,” Park beamed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With the rise of technology and constant accentuation on efficiency, many doctors tend to give less personal attention to their patients and be mechanical in treating their patients. Although she acknowledges the efficiency, Park believes the most important virtue of a good doctor is to have a warm caring heart. “Some patients just need to hear words of love and care,” Park said. Although there are people who prioritize skill over emotions, Park believes that having a career as a doctor is meant to serve and treat patients that often require sympathy and care.
 

 

 

 

 

As a professor of YU, Park constantly reminds her students that being able to love and have connections with the patients are the basics of being doctors that should be more valued than perfection and excellence in skill.

 

 

 

Park is a proud KU alumnus who dreams of teaching KU students. Due to KU’s policy of limiting family members from becoming professors in the same field, Park is unable to join the KU faculty. Although it is somewhat unfortunate, Park believes she was able to shine because she was outside her comfort zone of KU and be proud alumni who teach in YU as a KU graduate and contribute to the international society through her incredulous work in MWIA and KWMA.
 

 

 

With her bright spirit, enthusiasm and proactive work to use her talents for a better world, she is one of the leading doctors of Korea as well as a respected researcher. “Follow your dreams,” Park said. “As students of KU, take pride and responsibility in leading Korean society. Search for various ways you can innovate and exceed.”