Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital

The following is a full-text of a speech made by Dr. Moon-Gi Choi, Dean of Hallym University College of Medicine, at the closing of the 7th Hallym-Columbia-Weill Cornell-NYP Symposium held at the COEX, Seoul, on June 9, 2009. In his speech, he said a few words of appreciation to the participants for their attendance and a lively discussion: -Ed.

President Lee, Dean Gotto, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen:

It is my pleasure and honor to address this impressive audience at the 7th Hallym-Columbia-Weill Cornell-NYP Symposium.

Let me begin by conveying my heartfelt gratitude to dean Gotto for your presence here today, and Dr. Schwartz, Dr. Han and their faculty members of cardiology for helping successfully wind up such a well-rounded program. To all the participants, I would like to thank for your patience throughout the symposium.

It is encouraging to see that we have done our very best today to work on the theme, "How to Cope with Global Pandemic of Cardiovascular Disease." The selection of the topic is quite opportune and significant as the advent of an aging society and a rapid change in life style are presenting a formidable challenge to our hearts. I am certain that by sharing advanced knowledge, expertise, and experiences in meetings like this, together we can accomplish a much higher level of global excellence, and contribute much more to promoting healthcare for mankind in the long run.

Today I was also delighted to entertain the opportunity to chair a special lecture session for Dean Gotto, who is one of the greatest scholars in our profession. I would also like to thank all of your excellent speakers for their stimulating and well-thought-out presentations, and all the audience for your active involvement in discussions.

As you are aware, Hallym is relatively young. However, it has a number of competent and highly-motivated professors and students who are potential future leaders in medicine. I am glad to say that Hallym's serious globalization started with the establishment of collaborative relations with Columbia and Cornell a few years ago. Based upon substantial achievements and mind-opening perspectives of the previous meetings, we will further expand and diversify its international network of cooperation with more institutions throughout the world.

It is my sincere hope that Hallym's friendship and trust with Columbia and Cornell will become mature over a long time to come with more exchanges of human resources and joint research activities. We at Hallym will do our level best to further develop and expand the relations with our U.S. partners.

vJust as little drops of water make the mighty ocean, and little grains of sand create the pleasure land, so, step by step, we will be able to make our ties and friendship even stronger and more reciprocal.

Now let me close by wishing our institutions an even closer friendship and everlasting prosperity. I look forward to seeing you again next year.

Thank you.