Yonsei Institute
for Global Health

1) Please introduce yourself. 

I am AlGheryafi Yamin, 38 years old, from Saudi Arabia. In addition to me, my family consists of my wife, who is a pharmacist and a two year old son. 

2) Where is your working place back in your country and what is your specialty?   

I am working in Qatif Central Hospital. Qatif Central Hospital is one of the major hospitals in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia, which includes most of the medical and surgical subspecialties. It is also considered as trauma center, as it receives a lot of trauma patients who require surgical interventions.

Since the end of 2009, I joined Qatif Central Hospital and worked as orthopaedic resident, then in 2011, I joined the Saudi board program of orthopedic surgery and took training rotations in most hospitals in the eastern region and succeeded in obtaining the certificate of Saudi board at the end of 2016. Since then, I have been working at Qatif Central Hospital as orthopaedic surgeon, in addition to being the local program director of orthopaedic trainees and active lecturer and speaker in local orthopaedic surgery conferences and workshops.

3) How did you get to know Severance? Why did you choose Severance as your training hospital?    

South Korea is highly recognizable area to conduct clinical fellowship training as it has highly advanced medical services, excellent organized hospitals and highly qualified and excellent skill-full professors known worldwide in addition to their academic passion and research. Severance hospital is one of the best institutions in South Korea and it is well known worldwide. It has very excellent established atmosphere for trainees. A lot of our colleagues with different surgical subspecialties who conducted their fellowship in severance hospital, they are qualified with excellent skills in addition to the academic personal aspect. I have talked with some colleagues who joined knee sport and arthroscopic surgery department in severance hospital, all of them talked a lot about very skills full and highly qualified professors, quality and efficiency of training and they advised me to seek an opportunity to join knee sport and arthroscopic surgery fellowship training in Severance hospital.

4)  How long is your training period in Korea?

15 months 

5)  Which area did you focus on during your fellowship at Severance? 

My training is mainly on knee sport and arthroscopic surgery. I am proud to train under supervision of Professor Jung, Min. and also it is my pleasure to have the opportunity to train with professor Chong-Hyuk Choi.

6)What is the most impressive feature of Severance Hospital? 

Severance hospital has excellent developed and established facilities, technology and structures that are critical to prioritize the patient’s comfort and convenience at each stage of their journey.

Severance hospital is a prime example of what can be achieved through harmony and dedicated work. With a vast number of facilities, beds, and operation rooms, the staff consistently demonstrate their utmost commitment to excellence. Each member strives to give their best performance and collectively work towards being the best they can be.

7)What are the specific contents of your fellowship program at Severance?

My clinical fellowship training is knee sport and arthroscopic surgery, mainly deal with knee different soft tissue pathology, cartilage defect and bony malalignment.

8)If you were to get the chance to come back, which field of clinical study would you like to focus on?

If I am lucky and have the chance to comeback, I would like to be involved in the same department of knee sport and arthroscopic surgery.

The complexity of knee joint anatomy, the variety of pathology, the different surgical techniques and the high level of surgical skills required, makes it truly a mind stimulating field. Knee Sport and arthroscopic surgery requires a higher level of technical skills. This makes it more challenging and hence more enjoyable.

My goal is to achieve technical and clinical excellence in the diagnosis and treatment of sports conditions of the knee.

9)Who are you most thankful for at Severance(who helped you the most) & why?

Since my first day at Severance Hospital I have found support from everyone. My professors are always welcoming to scientific discussion at any time and they guide me to any orthopaedic conference or workshop that help me in my training. All Korean colleagues (fellows, residents, nurses and all hospital staff) are very supportive all the time and offer to help me whenever I need. Also I should mention Mr. Jae Hun Han in the International Office. I am always in contact with him and he welcomes any inquiry or assistance at any time.

10)What was your first impression of Korea?

South Korea is one of the top developed countries and known as the global head in technological and industrial sectors, but what makes South Korea a much-loved country among all world is its beautiful diverse culture.

South Korea has its unique culture, character, cloth, and food that differs from the world countries. 

Korean People are very organized and raised on respecting everybody. Diligent and hard work, filial piety and humbleness are characteristics respected by Koreans.

In addition to the beauty of nature, parks, gardens, lakes and mountains, South Korea has very advance infrastructure, highly organized, advance and modern intra and inter cities transportation networks, in addition to enormous high rise buildings everywhere and any one visit South Korea will notice they take care of every single detail to make the all aspects of public facilities perfect and accessible all time.

11)What is the best memory so far during your stay here?

I have many beautiful memories in South Korea. During all weekends, I gather with my friends, we have a tour in Seoul or around where there are a lots of amazing garden, mountains and other nature and then we take dinner together in different restaurants in Seoul which is special experience I will never forget.