Prof. Dr. Seock-Ah Im

Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH)

As one of Korea's premier university hospitals, Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH) has been providing comprehensive health services since its inception in 1885. As the main teaching hospital for the College of Medicine at Seoul National University, SNUH has developed an integrated system consisting of the Main Hospital; SNU Children's Hospital; and SNU Cancer Hospital. According to rankings issued by Newsweek and other international organizations, SNUH is consistently rated among the top three in Korea. --- ### Medical Specialties SNUH offers state-of-the-art care in all aspects of clinical medicine: Cardiovascular Center: One of the world leading institutions for “Bench to Bedside” research, especially in cardiovascular stem cell therapy and cell signaling. Each year, over 120,000 patients visit the Cardiology Outpatient Department. Main Hospital Departments: In addition to the Cardiovascular Center, SNUH operates 25+ other specialty departments. These include allergy and immunology, nephrology, transplant surgery, and many others. Children’s Hospital: This children’s hospital is entirely devoted to treating young patients. It includes several unique programs for treating sick children such as a Pediatric Palliative Medical Clinic, Clinical Genetics Unit and other areas of focus in pediatric medicine. Cancer Hospital: The cancer hospital operates with a departmental structure based on organ systems. For example, there are separate gastric cancer and lung cancer departments. The cancer hospital also operates a clinical trials center where new cancer treatments can be tested and a molecular pathology center to analyze tumors and develop targeted therapies for patients. --- ### International Patient Services Since its founding in 1999, the International Healthcare Center (IHC) at SNUH has supported over 30,000 patients from 80+ countries each year. Language support: IHC can provide complete language interpretation in English, Chinese, Mongolian, Russian, and Arabic. Administrative assistance: IHC assists with scheduling medical consultations via phone (+82-2-2072-0505); assisting with payments; issuing medical records in English. Insurance and billing: IHC facilitates cashless billing with most international insurance companies; coordinating billing with foreign embassies and diplomatic missions. Emergency service: IHC maintains a 24-hour emergency telephone line to assist international residents or visitors who require immediate medical attention due to injury or illness. --- ### Patient Experience SNUH’s patient experience is guided by a team-based approach to healthcare delivery – integrating clinical practice with research. The ‘one-stop-shop’ model supports patient travel through the entire process from first inquiry/consultation/treatment/follow up. In keeping with the hospital’s policy of respecting diverse cultures and religions, SNUH works hard to create a welcoming environment for our patients. Additionally, the hospital’s staff will help facilitate information about local housing options and ground transportation.