Yonsei Institute
for Global Health

Severance International Fellowship (SIF) is open to foreign physicians, dentists, nurses, medical technicians, or hospital administrators who wish to experience clinical care, operative procedures, and participate in research activities at Severance Hospital(Sinchon) Seoul, Korea. This program builds on the hospital’s long legacy and mission to educate future clinical leaders in healthcare and ultimately reducing health inequalities in the global society.

1. All foreign trainees have to be eligible to enter Korea without violating Article 11(Prohibition, etc. of Entry) of the Immigration Act of the Republic of Korea.
   
   
2. All foreign trainees have to be enough fluent in English or Korean to participate in the training. Trainees have to be not only able to do daily conversation, but also have to understand and be able to listen, read, write, and speak about their professional specialty area in English or Korean. Severance Academy might request official proof of the trainee's language proficiency if necessary. Interpretations are NOT available.
   
   
3. All foreign trainees have to be registered as trainees in Severance Academy, mainly by applying online at this homepage. (Email applications are not recommended.)
   
   
4. All foreign trainees have to submit a immunization form that asks for proof of vaccination or antibody test results for specific diseases designated by Severance Hospital. Please download the form here.

The Neurosurgical Spinal Center, which was first established in 1991 in Korea, has been dedicated to treating spinal diseases. We have made a remarkable contribution to the treatment of spinal diseases by introducing and successfully implementing invasive spinal micro-treatments such as chymopapine injection therapy, artificial disc surgery, endoscopic spinal disc surgery, and graft needle fixation for the first time in Korea. Currently, 6 faculty in almost all fields of spinal surgery such as OPLL, spinal cord tumor, degenerative disease, MIS, spinal deformity, trauma, etc. are leading domestic spinal medicine.

The Department has achieved good results not only in basic research, but also in the development of spinal surgery tools and special materials at spinal and spinal cord research institutes.

The spinal neurosurgery department of a spinal hospital does not always prioritize surgical treatment. Instead, the most suitable surgery is performed for patients who truly need surgery.

Each year, more than 1,900 spinal surgeries are performed by the largest number of neurosurgeons in the department of spinal disorders compared to other university hospitals.

In addition, over 50 papers are published annually in domestic and international academic journals by department members.

The Neurosurgery Spinal Fellowship Program aims to provide international physicians with a wealth of knowledge and experience in various fields of spinal surgery (degenerative, spinal cord tumor, MIS, deformity, trauma, etc.). This program immerses colleagues in all aspects of spinal surgical treatment. Fellows are considered trainees with graduation responsibilities in the mentoring model, and independent practice gradually develops. You will be given the opportunity to observe or practice in outpatient clinics and operating rooms. Fellows would be given the opportunity to participate in conferences of the department and domestic conferences. A clinical or basic science research project based on one's own interests and career goals.