Hallym University Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital

Hallym University Medical Center(HMC) is going to hold the 5th Collaborative International Symposium at the New York Academy of Sciences in New York Friday, October 26. The meeting, which will focus on "Neurodegenerative Diseases: Genetic, Biological and Vascular Mechanisms" is co-organized by HMC and its affiliated world-class medical institutions in the U.S. including NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital(NYPH), Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and Weill Cornell Medical College. About 200 medical doctors, and leaders in Korean and American medical circles are expected to attend the meeting.

Since Hallym and the other American medical institutions decided to join hands in 2004, they have collaborated on a series of annual international symposiums to address a wide range of social and medical issues including an aging society, obesity, robotic surgery, artificial organs, genetic therapy, asthma and allergic diseases.

"Establishing, maintaining, and deepening cooperative ties with medical institutions in the U.S. which are equipped with the state-of-the-art equipment and technologies would be a rarity in Korea's medical history, and will surely help Hallym witness another take-off in its bid for globalization," stressed Chairman Dai-Won Yoon.

Dr. Sang-Hoon Bae, HMC President and Chairman of the Korean Preparatory Committee, noted, "We've picked up 'neurodegenerative diseases' as a topic for this year as the world has rapidly entered into an aging society. I am firmly convinced that by sharing our expertise and experiences, we will be able to move forward in finding clues to such diseases in question."

Speakers at the opening ceremony of the one-day symposium include Chairman Yoon, Dr. Bae, Dr. Michael Shelanski, Department of Pathology Chair, Columbia University Medical Center, Dr. Gerald Fischbach, Hatch Professor; Professor of Pharmacology, Center for Neurobiology and Behavior, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, Dr. Ralph L. Nachman, Associate Dean, Weill Cornell Medical College, and Dr. Herbert Pardes, President and CEO, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.

The symposium consists of three sessions: in session one, participants will be discussing genetics of neurodegenerative diseases; session two is concerned with tools to assess patients with cognitive decline --- neuropsychological test/imaging; and in the last session, they will be seeking ways to understand neurodegeneration at molecular level for a new treatment.

Dr. Byung-Chul Lee, Director of Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Dr. Kim Yong-Sun, Dean of Hallym University College of Medicine, are expected to co-chair session two and session three, respectively. Among the Korean speakers of the sessions include Dr. Yun-Joong Kim, Associate Professor of Neurology, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Dr. Yeon-wook Kang, Professor of Psychology, Hallym University, Dr. Soo-Jin Cho, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital, Dr. Eun-Kyong Choi, Associate Professor, Ilsong Institute of Life Science, and Dr. Young-Ho Koh, Assistant Professor, Ilsong Institute of Life Science.

The meeting will end with closing remarks by Dr. Hae-Ran Lee, Director of Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital and Vice President of HMC, and Dr. Michael Shelanski of Columbia University Medical Center.

The symposium will be followed by an official reception and dinner hosted by Chairman Dai-Won Yoon at the Board Room of the New York Academy of Sciences. Some 70 symposium participants and dignitaries are likely to attend the event.

"I have no doubt that our continuous collaboration as well as exchange of scientific knowledge will not only help build core capabilities in the era of globalization, but also contribute to the enhancement of health care for mankind," Dr. Bae said.