Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital

Hallym University Medical Center(HUMC) held the 7th Hallym-Columbia-Weill Cornell-NYP Symposium at the Grand Ballroom, COEX, Seoul, on June 9, 2009. Under the theme of 'How to Cope with Global Pandemic of Cardiovascular Disease,' five medical experts from the U.S. were invited, and about 300 participants, including cardiologists and medical students, attended this meeting.

At the opening, Dr. Hae-Ran Lee, president of HUMC, said, "As we all recognize, the number of patients with cardiovascular diseases is rapidly increasing these days due to an aging society and dramatic changes of our life style. Such diseases are presenting a serious threat to the health of all mankind. Fortunately, however, we are witnessing significant developments in clinical therapies and prevention. Thus, I expect the symposium today will be an excellent chance to discuss new therapies and prevention of cardiovascular diseases."

Presentations and discussions focused on four different topics: Life Style; Risk Factors; STEMI; and Heart Failure. During the symposium, two special lectures were given by Dr. Antonio M. Gotto, dean of Weill Cornell Medical College, on 'Lipids, Imflammation, Statins and CVD/Past, Present and Future Perspective,' and Dr. Allan Schwartz, professor of Columbia University, who is also well-known as the former U.S. president Bill Clinton's heart doctor, on 'Percutaneous Aortic Valve Replacement.'

Since Hallym reached an international affiliation agreement with Columbia University in 2002, Weill Cornell Medical College, and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital(NYP) in 2004, the institutions have collaborated on a series of annual international symposiums in Seoul and New York.

The specific programs including topics and speakers are as follows:

By Jonghun Im, Int'l Operations Team, HUMC (imjonghun@hallym.or.kr)