Choi Sujinna of Chonnam National University Hospital Appointed President of Korean Women Surgeons Association

by Min Chanki

Published 23 Jan.2025 15:42(KST)

Updated 28 Jul.2025 00:05(KST)

"Supporting Outstanding Female Students to Take on the Challenge of Surgery"

Sujinna Choi, Professor of Transplant Vascular Surgery, Chonnam National University Hospital

Chonnam National University Hospital announced on the 23rd that Professor Choi Sujinna of the Department of Transplantation and Vascular Surgery recently took office as the 3rd President of the Korean Women Surgeons Association at the 4th Korean Women Surgeons Association Symposium held at the Catholic University Biomedical Research Institute. Her term will last for two years until November 2026.

Professor Choi was appointed Vice President of the Korean Surgical Society at the Autumn Integrated Academic Conference held at the Swiss Grand Hotel in Seoul last November, taking on a role to contribute to the advancement of surgery in Korea.

The Korean Women Surgeons Association was established in 2021 with the vision of "contributing to the health and happiness of humanity as women, as professionals, and as leaders of society." The association leads the development of surgery, aims to realize gender equality in daily life, and nurtures female talent to drive social progress.

As the proportion of female students entering medical schools continues to rise, the percentage of women among surgical residents also steadily increased, surpassing 35% in 2023. This demonstrates the active participation of women in the traditionally male-dominated field of surgery.

Currently serving as the Director of the Organ Transplantation Center at Chonnam National University Hospital, Professor Choi is actively engaged in various academic societies and public institutions, holding key positions such as President of the Chungcheong-Honam-Jeju Vascular Research Society, Medical Review Chair of the Korean Society for Vascular Surgery, Ethics Committee Chair of the Korean Society for Transplantation, and Planning Committee Chair of the Korean Society for Dialysis Access.

She has received numerous awards, including the Minister of Health and Welfare Award (2014, 2022) and the KODA Life Sharing Merit Award (2020), in recognition of her contributions to promoting organ transplantation and spreading the culture of life sharing.

Professor Choi Sujinna stated, "I will support outstanding female students to take on the path of surgery, and by facing realistic issues so that female surgical residents and specialists do not give up on the path they have started, I will work to improve work-life balance systems and environments that allow for harmony between work and family. I will provide opportunities for female surgeons to demonstrate social leadership and capabilities, and move forward together toward the future."