I am a cardiac surgeon and mechanical circulatory support (MCS) and heart transplant specialist at Memorial Cardiac and Vascular Institute. I care for patients with all types of cardiac abnormalities, including coronary artery disease, heart valve problems and diseases of the aorta. I specialize in treating patients with advanced heart failure using support devices to help the sick heart or replacing it with a transplant if necessary.

I was drawn to medicine through a desire to make a difference. During my studies, I became fascinated with the physiology of the heart and lungs and how they supplied blood and oxygen to the whole body allowing it to function. I welcomed the challenge of treating diseases that affect this system with surgery. The patients that I treat are often as sick as can be, with life-threatening conditions due to severe heart failure. My team and I, along with experts in many specialties, are devoted to helping them recover and return to their family and friends and live their lives to their fullest.

My goal is to empower patients by educating them on the nature of the disease, the options available to fix the problem and possible hurdles along the way. I provide all information in an easy-to-digest manner so we can overcome challenges together, and I encourage everyone to ask as many questions as needed.  

I understand that you and your family are going through an unexpected and difficult time, and I promise to do everything I can to get you through it. I will provide the most advanced treatments available, with a wide array of specialists ready to assist who deeply care for your well-being. We’re with you every step of the way.

In addition to providing patient care, I am strongly interested in education and research. I love teaching and have been heavily involved in training new surgeons. I also publish and present on various aspects of heart failure, MCS and heart transplantation.

Many exciting technologies are on the horizon for patients needing MCS and transplants. I am involved in multiple clinical trials related to MCS/transplant and trials using novel organ preservation technologies. I am passionate about researching these cutting-edge technologies so that they can be used to help patients.

Hospital Affiliations

• Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital
• Memorial Hospital Miramar
• Memorial Hospital Pembroke
• Memorial Hospital West
• Memorial Regional Hospital

Gender

• Male

Languages

• English
• Korean

Education

Seoul National University College of Medicine, 2000

Residency

Allegheny General Hospital, 2012, Surgery
Massachusetts General Hospital, 2014, Cardiothoracic Surgery

Fellowships

Massachusetts General Hospital Harvard Medical School Program, 2015, Transplant Surgery

Certifications

American Board of Surgery-Surgery
American Board of Thoracic Surgery-Cardiothoracic Surgery

Publications

Professional Organizations

• Society of Thoracic Surgeons
• International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation

Presentations

• Transplant Class for Nursing, 2016 to 2023
• Pritzker Medical School Student Lecture: Heart and Lung Transplantation, July 2021
• Anesthesia Grand Rounds: VV ECMO and COVID-19, May 2021
• Heart Failure Invited Talk: ECMO and acute MCS in 2020, September 2020
• Methodist Hospitals Virtual CME: Overview of ECMO in the 2020 COVID Pandemic, August 2020
• University of Chicago Acute Circulatory Support Symposium Talk (Course Director): Cannulation, Weaning and Decannulation, October 2019
• Midwest Respiratory Group Invited Lecture: Lung Transplantation, EVLP, ECMO, April 2018
• Illinois Perfusion Society Invited Lecture: Updates in Acute Cardiopulmonary Support, October 2017
• OSF St. Francis Hospital Invited Lecture: Acute Cardiopulmonary Support, October 2017
• OB/GYN Grand Rounds: ECMO and MCS, June 2017
• Lung Transplant Celebration Event Talk: Lung Transplantation, EVLP, ECMO, April 2017

Awards

• Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) Center of Excellence Award, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 2020-23
• Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) Center of Excellence Award, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 2017-20
• Abacus Award: Presented by the Cardiac Surgery section staff to the clinician they can “count on” the most, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 2017
• Cardiothoracic Surgery Resident “Top Gun” Competition: Finalist. Joint Council on Thoracic Surgery Education / Thoracic Surgery Directors Association. Minneapolis, MN, 2013
• Executive Chief Resident, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA, 2011-12
• Dee Award: Presented annually to the surgical resident demonstrating exemplary knowledge and compassion in the care of the surgical patient. Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA, 2007
• Commendation for efforts in public health care. Presented by the City of Incheon, South Korea, 2003