[W Frontier] Jina Young "I Grew by Receiving Help from Mentors in Various Fields"

"Authentic to Parents, Extracurricular Activities for Professor Park Jeonghan"

Photo by Jinayoung, provided by Professor Kennedy Krieger Institute Department of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] Ji Nayoung, professor of pediatric psychiatry at the Kennedy Krieger Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, defined a mentor as "wise individuals who have walked a path ahead of me, whom I want to emulate and learn from." Professor Ji has grown by receiving much help from various mentors she met through different routes.

First, Professor Ji named her parents as mentors. She introduced them as people who taught her core life values such as diligence, perseverance, sincerity, and frugality by embodying them themselves.

The mentor who mainly advises her on work and external activities is Professor Park Jeonghan, emeritus professor at Daegu Catholic University School of Medicine. Professor Ji said, "Professor Park taught me to value principles and values more than visible profits or achievements." Catholic University is Professor Ji’s alma mater.

The teachings and influence of the training professors at the University of North Carolina (UNC) training program were very significant in her growth as a pediatric psychiatrist. Professor Ji explained, "Psychiatric problems are difficult to treat solely with medication," adding, "Understanding the patient’s mind and spirit, as well as their relationship with the environment they are in, is more important than anything else." She emphasized, "One important basic lesson learned during training is to spend a lot of time fully understanding the patient rather than rushing. Often, the answers come from understanding the patients."

Professor Ji said it is unrealistic to expect all four trustworthy aspects (Competence, Care, Character, Consistency) from one person in relationships with others. Therefore, she recommended exploring one admirable quality from mentors in various fields. Professor Ji herself is seeking mentors in diverse areas to work not only as a physician but also as a writer, lecturer, and research institute leader. She mentioned, "Although I have never met them in person, those I want to learn leadership from include Yoon Yeosun, Chairman Kelly Choi, and Dean Kim Mikyung of Passion University."