Yonsei Institute
for Global Health

1) Please introduce yourself.

My name is May David, I recently turned 40 this month. I am the youngest of 4 all girl siblings. 

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

I am a Gynecologic Oncologist, based in Manila, Philippines. 

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

I first heard about Severance Hospital as the affiliate institution of the Yonsei University Health Services through a couple of Filipino colleagues who also trained in the hospital before the pandemic. I chose Severance Hospital because it is one of the world’s leading centers in terms of performing minimally invasive gynecologic cancer surgery, especially robotic surgery. 

4) How long is your training period in Korea?

One year

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

I am doing clinical fellowship in Gynecologic Oncology with special focus on minimally invasive gynecologic surgery.

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

It is very difficult to choose just one aspect of the hospital that impresses me the most because there are honestly so many – from the sheer size of the hospital complex with dedicated buildings for Cardiology, Pediatrics, and Dentistry, to name a few, to the efficiency, convenience, and cutting edge technology that are apparent in how the entire hospital operates. But if I really had to pick one, the most remarkable to me is the Yonsei Cancer Center. As an oncologist, it has everything (and more) that one could possibly need to provide world-class care. Here, patients have access to highly-skilled and competent surgeons who are able to perform advanced cancer surgery, with Severance Hospital being recently recognized as the first hospital in the world to perform 50,000 robotic-assisted procedures. The center also offers precision radiotherapy and ease of access to the latest chemotherapeutic drugs and targeted therapy, including investigational drugs through its active participation in many clinical trials. All of these things I hope one day will also be a reality for my countrymen in the Philippines.  

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

The main focus of my training being minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, I am mostly involved in assisting and  performing laparoscopic and robotic surgery in both benign and malignant conditions. Additionally, I have had numerous exposure to advanced pelvic and upper abdominal surgeries that I did not see often in my country. Lastly, I have had the privilege of observing how clinical trials are conducted and ran.

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

I would like to pursue the field of molecular oncology and learn more about conducting and participating in clinical trials. 

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

I am most thankful first and foremost to my mentor, Professor Jung Yun Lee. He has been so generous and patient with imparting his skills and knowledge, while at the same time remaining humble. For the past 8 months, I have learned a great deal from him as a proficient surgeon and prolific researcher, and most importantly, an inspiring and encouraging mentor. He has helped open doors for me not only here in South Korea but also in international settings.

I would also like to acknowledge the help of the administrative staff for international fellows (Mr. Park and co) for all their help and guidance from the preparations to coming here and even up to now. Last but not the least, I am grateful for my SIF batchmates with whom I started this journey last September and who made the transition of living in a foreign country easier. 

10) What was your first impression of Korea?

My first impression of Korea was that it is a first-world country that has a good balance of modern and traditional elements. It boasts of impressive skyscrapers and buildings, juxtaposed with historical palaces and traditional neighborhoods. Everything is organized and efficient – from its transportation and health care systems to the most mundane day to day experiences. 

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

My personal best memory so far during my stay here has been going for a run and exploring the city in different seasons. Having come from a tropical country where it is either sunny or rainy, experiencing the transition from summer to the beautiful colors of autumn last year was breathtaking. I was similarly awestruck at the beginning of spring a few weeks ago when many parts of Seoul were lined by a sea of thick and vibrant pink and white blooms. It was nature at its most glorious.