- The 32nd KMWA’s Executive Committee Leadership Workshop was held from February 28 to March 2, 2026, at the Gachon Global Center in Hawaii, USA. A total of 15 executive members, including President Soon Won Hong, attended the workshop.
The leadership workshop was conducted under the theme, “The Past, Present, and Future of the Korean Medical Women’s Association (KMWA).”
The lectures included:
(1) “The History of Women Physicians in Korea,” delivered by Seonyeong Rim, Vice Chair of the Election Management Committee; and
(2) “Research on Korean Healthcare Policy,” presented by Anna Choi, Vice Chair of the Information and Communications Committee. Both lectures provided valuable insights.
On February 27, 2026, the 11th Board Meeting was held in a hybrid format in both Hawaii and Seoul. Directors who were unable to travel to Hawaii also participated online, and the meeting focused on reviewing preparations for the upcoming General Assembly.
Accommodation at the Gachon Global Center in Hawaii was graciously provided by Dr. Gil-ya Lee, former 13th President of KMWA, current President of Gachon University, and Chairperson of the Gachon Gil Foundation.
- On March 22, 2025, the Korean Medical Women’s Association (KMWA) held its 70th Annual General Assembly of Representatives and Academic Symposium at the Auditorium of the Seoul Medical Association.
Part 1 consisted of the Academic Symposium. The first lecture, “Do We Truly ‘Do No Harm?’: A Life Cycle Assessment of Breast Cancer Surgery Toward Greener Operating Rooms,” was delivered by Dr. Se Kyung Lee. The second lecture, “Role of YAP1 and Characteristics of the Tumor Immune Microenvironment in Breast Cancer,” was presented by Dr. Yoon Jin Cha.
In Part 2, the 35th Gil Volunteer Award was presented to Younghwa Son, the chief operator of the free meal service at Tapgol Park. In addition, several academic awards selected by KMWA and supported by pharmaceutical companies —including JW Pharmaceutical, Handok, Hanmi, and Boryung—were presented. The 17th Handok Women Physicians Academic Award was awarded to Dr. Bong Ok Kim, the 28th President of KMWA.
This was followed by the presidential inauguration and retirement ceremony. In her farewell address, the 32nd President, Soon Won Hong, stated, “It has been a great honor to serve the Korean Medical Women’s Association over the past two years. Looking back, I realize that I have not walked this path alone, but together with all of you.”
In her inaugural speech, the new President, Hyang Kim, presented her key initiatives:
1) hosting the 70th Anniversary Commemoration and Academic Symposium of KMWA in July,
(2) strengthening global capacity with a focus on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and
(3) promoting the sharing of knowledge on future medicine, including the utilization of artificial intelligence.
Fig 1. The 32nd KMWA Executive Committee Leadership Workshop was held in Hawaii.
Fig 2. The 70th KMWA Annual General Assembly and Academic Symposium was held at the Seoul Medical Association.