Anyang Sam Hospital Hosts Memorial Seminar Honoring Late Dr. Park Sang-eun

The Hyosang Medical Foundation's Anyang Sam Hospital hosted a memorial seminar on December 3 at the Samnuri Hall in Anyang, South Korea, dedicated to the life and legacy of the late Mission Director Dr. Park Sang-eun. Centered on the theme of 'Park Sang-eun and Bioethics,' the gathering revisited the foundational respect for life that he championed throughout his medical and missionary career.

The memorial proceedings commenced with a prayer led by Reverend Kim Sung-eun, head of the Anyang Sam Hospital pastoral department. Opening remarks were delivered by Lee Dae-hee, chairman of the Hyosang Medical Foundation, and Lee Seung-ko, a professor at Chongshin Theological Seminary. Following the introductory session, presentations focused on different facets of the late doctor's impactful professional journey.

Choi Hyun-il, head of the Health Screening Environmental Medicine Center at the Hyosang Medical Foundation, spoke on 'Park Sang-eun and Bioethics.' Kwak Jung-im, head of the Department of Family Medicine at Anyang Sam Hospital, addressed 'Assisted Dignified Death and Bioethics,' while Jang Jung-hwa, representative of the urban architecture firm Space CH, explored the history of the bioethics movement through Dr. Park's contributions.

Presenters discussed the ongoing issues surrounding bioethical activism before participating in a question-and-answer and discussion session moderated by Kim Sang-han, the foundation's mission director. The panels reflected on Dr. Park's extensive contributions to clinical care, bioethics, and overseas medical mission work.

Born in Daegu in 1958, Dr. Park graduated from Hwimoon High School and Korea University College of Medicine, later earning his medical doctorate from Kosin University Graduate School. He trained under renowned physician Chang Key-young and completed a fellowship in bioethics at Saint Louis University in the United States.

After joining Anyang Sam Hospital in 2001, he served in multiple leadership capacities, including deputy director of clinical affairs, hospital director, representative director, and mission director. Foundation officials noted that he expanded the hospital's ministry while establishing the Sam Global Volunteer Corps and leading medical assistance initiatives for North Korea to practice whole-person healing and love for life.

Dr. Park also founded the Africa Future Foundation in 2007 to foster local healthcare professionals and public health programs. He established the Sungsan Bioethics Research Institute and served as the fourth chairperson of the presidential National Bioethics Committee, where he participated in enacting the Declaration of Respect for Life and formulating policies related to life-sustaining medical treatment decisions. He passed away in 2023 during a medical mission in Da Nang, Vietnam.

Marking the hospital's 59th anniversary, Anyang Sam Hospital will continue commemorating Dr. Park's vision throughout November as part of the '2026 Sam Hospital Mission Month.' The schedule includes a mission photo exhibition, a nursing department academic conference, a Bible festival, an anniversary worship service, a life-sharing festival, online exchanges with partner missionaries, storytelling sessions, prayer meetings, and the Asian Christian Hospital Association annual seminar.