Inha University Hospital, which opened in 1996 as the first university-affiliated hospital in Incheon, marks the 30th anniversary of its opening this year. In an interview with the Dong-A Ilbo on the 21st in his office on the 3rd floor of Inha University Hospital in Sinheung-dong, Jung-gu, Incheon, Lee Taek, who has led Inha University Hospital since September 2022 and is Director of Inha University Medical Center, said, “Over the past 30 years, Inha University Hospital has fulfilled its central role as a public medical institution, including dispatching medical staff to island areas in Incheon where medical facilities are inadequate,” and emphasized, “Through the ‘Future-IN Project,’ which will redesign the hospital’s space, functions, and systems to further develop Incheon’s medical system, the hospital will provide citizens with better medical services in Incheon.” In September last year, Lee was reappointed as Vice President for Medical Affairs of Inha University, the 9th Director of Inha University Medical Center, and Director of Inha University Hospital. His term is three years. The following is a Q&A.

―What are your reflections on the 30th anniversary and the key achievements to date?

“Over the past 30 years, the hospital has faithfully fulfilled its role as the ‘last bastion’ protecting the precious lives of citizens as a tertiary general hospital for Incheon and the northwestern region of Gyeonggi Province. At the same time, all medical staff have worked tirelessly to fulfill the mission of a public medical institution that supports the treatment of critically ill patients. As a result of these efforts, last year the hospital ranked 139th globally and 9th domestically in Newsweek’s ‘World’s Best Hospitals’ evaluation, and it has received the highest grade (Level 1-A) in healthcare quality assessment for six consecutive years. In particular, achieving first place nationwide in the 2022 patient experience assessment is seen as a meaningful outcome in which patients recognized Inha University Hospital’s philosophy of ‘patient-centered care.’”

―What is the ‘Future-IN Project’ currently being promoted around the 30th anniversary?

“‘Future-IN Project’ is an abbreviation of ‘Space Opening the Future: Inha Vision 30+.’ It is a key initiative aimed at innovating the quality of medical services and proactively responding to the future environment by strengthening the trinity of education, research, and clinical care, which are the core values of a university hospital. To this end, Inha University Hospital is investing KRW 90 billion to expand intensive care spaces, construct and remodel education and research facilities, and promote spatial innovation focused on enhancing patient safety and convenience. The hospital has already expanded isolation intensive care units to strengthen its capacity to respond to infectious diseases and has additionally introduced a top-specification Da Vinci robotic surgical system. Going forward, by establishing new operating rooms and other facilities, the hospital plans to drastically reinforce its capabilities in treating critically ill patients and performing high-difficulty procedures. This carries great significance as it goes beyond simple facility improvements to laying the foundation for a leap forward into the ranks of the top-tier hospitals in Korea.”

―The hospital has been actively providing medical support to Ongjin County, an island region. What is the significance of this and what are the future plans?

“Inha University Hospital has fulfilled a central role as a public medical institution by dispatching medical staff to island areas in Incheon where medical facilities are inadequate. As the tertiary general hospital closest to the island regions of Incheon, the hospital takes pride in having successfully presented a sustainable public healthcare coexistence model for residents of Ongjin County, a medically vulnerable area. Going beyond the free medical volunteer services of the early days after opening, the hospital has played a role in eliminating healthcare blind spots arising from geographic characteristics through expanding preventive public health services, strengthening the capabilities of local medical personnel, establishing a telemedicine consultation system, and dispatching medical staff. Going forward, as a reliable public healthcare partner for residents of Ongjin County, the hospital plans to supplement and develop existing cooperation and support to lead the standard for island medical support.”

―An ‘artificial intelligence (AI) smart hospital’ is emerging as both the future and central topic of the medical field. What is the direction of medical innovation at Inha University Hospital?

“Inha University Hospital pursues a practical smart hospital that provides safety and convenience for patients and work efficiency for medical staff, with ‘digital innovation for people’ as its core value. In practice, the hospital will enhance diagnostic precision through the introduction of advanced equipment such as ‘Ion,’ a robot-assisted bronchoscopy system that performs tissue biopsies by identifying lesion locations in real time for suspected lung cancer patients and others. In addition, by utilizing Google Workspace-based real-time collaboration systems and conducting consulting on hospital information system innovation, the hospital will create an environment where data-based, rational decision-making becomes a part of everyday practice.”

―What is the vision and goal for the future of Inha University Hospital?

“First, by shifting to a care structure focused on critical and emergency patients and strengthening linkages with local medical institutions, the hospital will complete a ‘regionally integrated healthcare system.’ At the same time, the public healthcare role of the hospital as a university institution that fulfills its social responsibilities is considered important. Inha University Hospital has one of the best pediatric medical environments in Korea. Once ‘RMHC Inha House,’ the first facility in Incheon for critically ill children and their families, is built, the hospital will play a meaningful role in further strengthening the regional healthcare safety net. If the past 30 years have been a time of laying the foundation, the next 30 years will be a time of blossoming and bearing the fruits of hope. The hospital will fulfill its responsibilities as the most trusted medical institution in the Republic of Korea.”

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