On Nov. 11, 2023, the Korean Medical Women’s Association (KMWA) held the 2nd Young Women Doctor Literary Awards 2023 at The Seoul National University Hospital Biomedical Research Institute’s Suh Sungwhan Research Hall. This Award is given to women doctors under 39 years of age and female medical students. The grand prize went to Dr. Yoon Hyung Choi of Ewha Womans University Medical Center’s Emergency Medicine Department who wrote an essay entitled ‘A patient whose profession is a doctor’. One gold and silver award, three bronze and participation awards, and two jury awards were also handed out. Last year’s grand prize winner, Min Ae Cho along with award recipients from Daegu City and North Jeolla Province, brought along their children, making this event more special by their representation as working moms. Another event, the monthly academic symposium was held before the literary awards. Dr. Lee Jun Seo from GSAM Hospital gave a lecture on ‘The Survival Strategy of Young Doctors’ based on his experience confronting issues as a young doctor. The Lecture received an enthusiastic response with comments and questions.
On Dec. 9, 2023, the 16th Academic Symposium on Female Health and KMWA’s year-end party was held at the auditorium of the new Korean Medical Association (KMA) building. Part 1 was the academic symposium and began with the lecture ‘Difference of Gut Microbiota According to Gender’ by Professor Nayoung Kim of Seoul National University Bundang Hospital. The second lecture was given by Professor Yoon Kyung Kim of Korea University Ansan Hospital entitled ‘Influenza Infection and Vaccination.’ Part 2 was the year-end party starting with the presentation of the perfect attendance award for monthly academic symposiums and the most frequent KMWA website visitor award. The party continued with watching slide shows of KMWA’s activities for 2022 and 2023. This was followed by a joyful performance of Christmas Carol Music played by ‘The Severance Orchestra’ made up of medical students from Yonsei University. The finale came with a beautiful vocal performance from the lovely and talented Dr. Hye Young Song of the Daegu-Gyeongsangbuk-do Branch. The annual fundraising event to help the underprivileged cope better during the harsh Korean winter also took place.
Dr Sarah Chay
Director, International Affairs, Korean Medical Women’s Association.
Fig 1. Winners and judges of the 2nd Young Women Doctor Literary Awards 2023
Fig 2. The 16th Academic Symposium for Female Health and KMWA’s 2023 year-end party.