Dreams and Hopes of Patients with Short Stature, A Meeting of Two Giants

The Story of Professor Song Hae-ryong, the Only Surgeon in the US Who Overcame Short Stature

The Rare and Intractable Disease Center (Director Song Hae-ryong) at Korea University Guro Hospital, together with the Association of People with Short Stature of Korea (ALPK), invited Professor Michael Ain, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, who is a short stature surgeon from the United States, to hold a pre-clinic and lecture for patients with short stature on November 29.

Professor Michael Ain's pre-clinic, which started at 9 am, was attended by Professor Song Hae-ryong of the Department of Orthopedics at Korea University Guro Hospital and specialized medical staff, and systematic medical care was provided for patients with short stature.

Professor Song Hae-ryong said, "I arranged this lecture for patients with short stature because of my relationship with Professor Michael Ain, which started more than 10 years ago," and expressed his ambition, "I will continue to spare no effort in more exchanges and activities for patients with short stature."

A patient with short stature who came out of the pre-clinic said, "I applied after hearing the news that a famous short stature specialist was coming," and expressed satisfaction, "As a fellow short stature patient, he understood my position better than anyone else, so I was able to receive comfortable treatment."

A lecture was also held for about 200 patients with short stature and their families who filled the auditorium.

Professor Michael Ain's success story, who failed to enter medical school 30 times due to prejudice against surgeons but eventually achieved his goal with a persistent attitude, received warm applause from patients with short stature and became an example.

Professor Ain said, "If you have a shining positive mind, you can overcome physical difficulties," and added, "I hope you will not be frustrated but become a person who persistently finds your dreams and works hard."

Professor Song said, "Patients with short stature are only short in height, but there is no problem at all in terms of ability, society, or professional activities," and conveyed a message of encouragement, saying, "We must eliminate prejudice against patients with short stature in our society."

Meanwhile, the Rare and Intractable Disease Center at Korea University Guro Hospital has established a cooperative system of a total of 6 departments: Orthopedics, Pediatrics, Neurology, Plastic Surgery, Rehabilitation Medicine, and Family Medicine, and deals with rare diseases such as dwarfism, muscular dystrophy, and scoliosis.

In addition, it is making constant efforts for patients by providing medical expense support information and preparing educational programs through the social work team.

[Source]

[Medical Observer] Article published on "Dreams and Hopes of Patients with Short Stature, A Meeting of Two Giants". 2014.12.05

[Medical Observer] Patients with hopes and dreams, Meet the Masters. 2014.12.05

Link : http://www.monews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=79146