Yonsei Institute
for Global Health

1) Please introduce yourself. My name is Oyundari Bold-Erdene. I am 30 years old. I am the middle child in my family, with my parents, an older brother, and a younger brother. 2) Where is your working place back in your country and what is your specialty? I work as a cardiologist at the Third State Central Hospital in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. I am currently specializing in cardiac electrophysiology. 3) How did you get to know Severance? Why did you choose Severance as your training hospital? My interest in Severance Hospital began after I joined the Electrophysiology Department at my hospital last year. During that time, members of the Korean Heart Rhythm Society visited our hospital and performed electrophysiology procedures, which inspired me to pursue advanced training in Korea. My department chief also recommended Yonsei University because of its excellent electrophysiology program. In addition, knowing that two Mongolian cardiologists were already training at Severance gave me confidence that it would be the right place to learn. 4) How long is your training period in Korea? My fellowship training in Korea is 15 months. 5) Which area did you focus on during your fellowship at Severance? My fellowship focuses on cardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmia management. My goal is not only to become a skilled electrophysiologist but also a well-rounded cardiologist by strengthening my clinical reasoning and decision-making skills. I am particularly interested in catheter ablation for PSVT, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, atrial flutter, atrial fibrillation, and cardiac conduction system pacing. 6) What is the most impressive feature of Severance Hospital? There are many impressive aspects of Severance Hospital. My first impression was how seamlessly advanced medical technology is integrated into every aspect of patient care. I am also impressed by how systematically and efficiently everything is organized. The hospital has a well-established workflow, allowing medical staff to focus on providing the best possible care for patients. What I admire even more is Severance's strong culture of education and continuous learning. The hospital actively supports its doctors and staff in professional development and research. In my department, nurses and technicians willingly teach and mentor one another, helping prepare the next generation. We also participate in regular morning case discussions, Journal Club, and electrocardiogram and electrogram conferences, which have greatly improved my clinical reasoning and have been an invaluable part of my fellowship experience. 7) What are the specific contents of your fellowship program at Severance? Before starting the fellowship, we completed the SIF Prime Course, which introduced us to the Korean healthcare system, medical insurance, and many other important topics. I was also grateful for the opportunity to learn basic Korean before beginning clinical training. Another valuable part of the program is the daily morning case discussion led by our professors, where we develop our clinical decision-making skills. I hope to introduce a similar learning culture in my department after returning to Mongolia. Our department also values fellows opinions, involves us in a wide range of academic activities, and strongly supports research. Hands-on procedural training follows a clear step-by-step approach, allowing us to gradually gain knowledge and experience throughout the fellowship. 8) If you were to get the chance to come back, which field of clinical study would you like to focus on? If I had the opportunity to return to Severance Hospital, I would like to come with one or two colleagues from my hospital. Learning together would help us not only improve our individual skills but also learn from the EP team's workflow and training culture, so that we could adapt those experiences in our own department. Clinically, I would like to gain deeper experience in advanced three-dimensional mapping and catheter ablation for complex arrhythmias- including PVCs, ventricular tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, and atrial flutter — as well as in device-based therapies such as conduction system pacing, cardiac resynchronization therapy, and leadless pacemakers. When I first came to Severance Hospital, I expected to start from the basics, but I was immediately exposed to advanced procedures, three-dimensional mapping, and electrogram interpretation. It was challenging at first, but that experience taught me to build my understanding step by step, rather than thinking of any procedure as simply easy or difficult from the outset. 9) Who are you most thankful for at Severance(who helped you the most) & why? There are many people at Severance whom I am grateful to, and it is difficult to choose just one. First of all, I would like to thank everyone in the Electrophysiology Department for welcoming me warmly and supporting me throughout my fellowship. I am especially grateful to Professor Hui-Nam Pak, who has taught us to think systematically and always encourages us to keep learning, work hard, and believe in ourselves. I truly appreciate his dedication and passion for teaching the next generation of electrophysiologists. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to Professor Jea-Sun Uhm. His kindness, patience, and constant support have meant a great deal to me. Beyond teaching procedural skills, he has shown us the importance of patient-centered care, professionalism, and responsibility as physicians. I am also thankful to all of the faculty members, nurses, technicians, and my fellow trainees. Their willingness to teach, encourage, and support one another has made my fellowship both enjoyable and meaningful. 10) What was your first impression of Korea? My first impression of Korea was how organized, efficient, and people-friendly everything was. I was especially impressed by the respect people showed to one another in everyday life. The public transportation system was excellent, making it easy to travel anywhere on time without worrying about traffic. I also enjoyed the safe walking environment and the many green spaces throughout the city. My first impression of the EP laboratory was equally unforgettable. I was amazed by the number of catheters, advanced equipment, and monitors. It was exciting to see such a well-equipped environment where I could learn modern electrophysiology. 11) What is the best memory so far during your stay here? First, I am truly grateful to have met and become friends with doctors from six different countries during the SIF Prime Course. It was a wonderful opportunity to learn from one another and experience different cultures. Second, I feel fortunate to observe world-class electrophysiology practice firsthand as a fellow at Severance Hospital. Being part of such an outstanding academic and clinical environment has been an unforgettable experience. Finally, I am grateful for the advice my professor gave me at the right time. His words motivated me to study more consistently and reminded me why I came to Severance. Looking back, that advice has become one of the most valuable memories of my fellowship.

Severance Hospital Helps Cambodian Child Hear Through Cochlear Implant Surgery Global Severance, Global Charity Program Supports Treatment for 6-Year-Old Unable to Access Care in Cambodia Severance Hospital has helped give a 6-year-old Cambodian boy the chance to hear after providing cochlear implant surgery through its Global Severance, Global Charity program. Heng Mongkol, who was born with congenital hearing loss, had been unable to receive the treatment he needed in Cambodia due to limited access to specialized medical care and financial difficulties. Congenital hearing loss is one of the most common sensory disorders, affecting approximately one to three in every 1,000 newborns. Early detection and auditory rehabilitation can play an important role in language development and social skills. Without appropriate treatment, however, hearing loss can significantly affect a child's ability to communicate and learn. For Mongkol, receiving treatment had been particularly difficult because of limited access to specialized care in his home country. A missionary working in Cambodia learned of his condition and contacted Severance Hospital to explore possible treatment options. After reviewing Mongkol's medical records, Professor Sung Joon Kim of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at Yonsei University College of Medicine determined that cochlear implant surgery could potentially restore his ability to perceive sound. Severance Hospital subsequently selected Mongkol for its Global Severance, Global Charity program, which supported his surgery and treatment. Established in 2011, the program provides medical care to patients from medically underserved countries by inviting them to Korea and covering the full cost of their surgical treatment. Mongkol arrived in Korea on the 15th of last month and was admitted to Severance Hospital, where he underwent a comprehensive evaluation of his hearing and inner-ear anatomy. The medical team conducted pure-tone audiometry and auditory brainstem response testing to assess the severity of his hearing loss and the function of his auditory pathways. Imaging studies were also performed to evaluate key structures required for cochlear implantation, including the cochlea and auditory nerve. After confirming that surgery was possible, the medical team performed bilateral cochlear implantation on the 19th of last month. Cochlear implants are designed for patients with severe hearing loss who receive little or no benefit from conventional hearing aids. Rather than simply amplifying sound, the device bypasses damaged portions of the inner ear and uses electrical signals to stimulate the auditory nerve, allowing the brain to perceive sound. Mongkol recovered well and was discharged from the hospital on the 26th of last month. On the 10th, after doctors examined the surgical site, he underwent a process known as mapping, in which the cochlear implant was activated and the level of electrical stimulation was individually adjusted based on his responses. His care will continue even after he returns home. Severance Hospital plans to work with KT through the KT Dream Class program to support continued cochlear implant mapping and speech therapy, helping Mongkol develop his language, communication and social skills as he adapts to hearing.

Unification Health and Medical Center Selected to Lead Ministry of Unification Research Project on Inter-Korean Healthcare Cooperation The Unification Health and Medical Center at the Chejungwon Institute for Global Health has been selected to lead a policy research project commissioned by the Ministry of Unification on strategies for strengthening inter-Korean cooperation in healthcare infrastructure. The project, titled “A Study on Strategies for Promoting Inter-Korean Cooperation in Healthcare Infrastructure,” was announced on the 28th of last month. Supported by a research grant of KRW 50 million, the study will run through the end of December and aims to develop a roadmap for future healthcare cooperation between South and North Korea. The research team will assess the current state of North Korea’s healthcare infrastructure and examine relevant laws and institutional frameworks. It will also explore potential areas of cooperation, including hospitals and healthcare workforce development, pharmaceutical manufacturing and drug supply systems, emergency medical care and infectious disease control, and water and sanitation. The study will also examine potential cooperation models involving international organizations, NGOs, and third countries. Based on its findings, the research team plans to propose a phased implementation strategy and pilot project models that could provide a practical foundation for future government policies on inter-Korean healthcare cooperation. Professor Jun-wook Kwon of the Graduate School of Public Health, who serves as the project’s principal investigator, emphasized the broader significance of the initiative.