Seoul National University Hospital said on the 13th that it appointed Baek Nam-jong, a professor of rehabilitation medicine, as its 20th president. The three-year term runs from that day through May 12, 2029.
Baek, the new president, graduated from the Seoul National University College of Medicine in 1990, trained at Seoul National University Hospital, and has served as a professor at the Seoul National University College of Medicine since 2001. In particular, at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Baek served as head of public relations, Deputy Minister for Planning and Coordination, and head of the public medical project group, before serving as hospital president, building experience in hospital operations and administration.
In academia, Baek is regarded as an authority in neurorehabilitation who has led research on functional recovery in stroke patients and neuromodulation technologies. Baek is currently the president-elect of the World Federation for NeuroRehabilitation (WFNR), the first Korean to hold the post, and has also served as the inaugural president of the Asian–Oceanian Congress for NeuroRehabilitation (AOCNR) and the inaugural chair of the Korean Telemedicine Society.
Baek has also built experience in care and education by serving as head of a regional cardio-cerebral rehabilitation center and as chair professor of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at the Seoul National University College of Medicine. Seoul National University Hospital expects the new president to strengthen the role of the national central hospital and lead future medical innovation, including Digital Healthcare, based on Baek's administrative experience and academic expertise.
The president of Seoul National University Hospital is appointed by the president following recommendation by the hospital's board and nomination by the Minister of the Ministry of Education, and may serve one additional term.