Woori Children’s Hospital and Korea University Medical Center Join Forces for Essential Pediatric and Adolescent Healthcare

The First Strategic Partnership Between a University Hospital and a Children's Hospital in Seoul

Strengthening Medical Expertise... Enhancing the Hierarchical and Local Healthcare Delivery System

Woori Children’s Medical Foundation, which operates Woori Children’s Hospital, is joining forces with Korea University Medical Center to further enhance its expertise in pediatric and adolescent healthcare. The goal is to expand the role that a specialized hospital should play within the community and national pediatric and adolescent healthcare system, and to create a sustainable medical environment where children can receive the most appropriate care anytime, anywhere.

Jeong Sungkwan, Chairman of Woori Children’s Medical Foundation (left), and Yoon Eulsik, Vice President for Medical Affairs and Dean of Korea University Medical Center, are posing for a commemorative photo at the "Exchange and Cooperation Partnership Agreement Ceremony" held between the two institutions on the 28th of last month at Korea University Medical Center. Woori Children’s Foundation

According to Woori Children’s Medical Foundation on May 18, the two institutions signed a strategic exchange and cooperation partnership last month, agreeing to collaborate across all aspects of hospital operations, including clinical services, research, education, administration, medical information, and information technology (IT) systems.

This agreement marks the first case in the Seoul metropolitan area where a hospital specializing solely in pediatrics and adolescents, rather than a university hospital or general hospital, has established an exchange and cooperation system. It is seen as a symbolic move that goes beyond simply sharing a hospital name and demonstrates new possibilities for specialized hospitals in essential pediatric and adolescent medical services facing crises.

Woori Children’s Hospital will first introduce Korea University Medical Center’s advanced systems and plans to spread the spirit of dedication and sharing exemplified by Rosetta Hall, the founder of Korea University Medical Center, throughout its hospital operations. Recently, Woori Children’s Hospital also incorporated a new exchange and cooperation corporate identity (CI) with Korea University Medical Center into its own brand image, aiming to enhance trust in medical services among patients and guardians and to strengthen its brand value.

Medical staff at Woori Children’s Hospital will be appointed as “Exchange Cooperation Professors” at Korea University Medical Center, participating in university hospital-level education, research, and academic activities. In addition, a “multi-institution training network” will be established for not only medical and nursing students but also interns and residents, providing a foundation for young healthcare professionals to gain first-hand experience in essential pediatric and adolescent medical fields at Woori Children’s Hospital.

There have already been visible results in practical clinical collaboration. Last year, there were about 300 referrals and transfers between Woori Children’s Hospital and Korea University Guro Hospital, and approximately 100 cases from January to May this year. Between Seongbuk Woori Children’s Hospital and Korea University Anam Hospital, there were about 120 cases last year and around 60 cases so far this year. The hospital also reported a recent case where a five-year-old boy with a rare disease (pontine cavernous hemangioma) who visited Woori Children’s Hospital was transferred on the same day through the cooperation system, successfully safeguarding the golden time for treatment.

In the research field, the two institutions are jointly conducting projects such as building a “digital home-spital platform” utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technology, as well as studies on the efficacy of influenza and varicella vaccines, thereby advancing a data-driven pediatric health management system. Furthermore, they plan to standardize the quality of medical services by sharing administrative know-how in areas such as infection control, patient safety, and accreditation assessment response.

Jung Sungkwan, Chairman of Woori Children’s Medical Foundation, emphasized, “The core of this collaboration is to infuse the values and spirit of Korea University Medical Center throughout the clinical and administrative operations of Woori Children’s Hospital,” adding, “As a strategic partner worthy of Korea University Medical Center’s reputation, we will practice the value of sharing at the forefront of pediatric and adolescent healthcare.”

Yoon Ulsik, Vice President for Medical Affairs and Director of Korea University Medical Center, said, “Given the grave situation facing pediatric and adolescent healthcare, this agreement will become an opportunity for both institutions to learn and grow together. I hope that this collaborative model will become a new standard for the future of healthcare in Korea.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.