Leading Infectious Disease Prevention and Treatment During the Pandemic... A Qualified Expert with Extensive Experience
New Director Ham: "I Will Strive to Earn the Trust of Citizens in Regional Health Administration"
Ham In-seok, former director of Pohang Medical Center and a renowned expert in neurological diseases such as stroke, will assume the position of director of the Buk-gu Public Health Center in Pohang on the 16th.
Neuroscience authority Ham In-seok, former director of Pohang Medical Center (right), becomes director of Buk-gu Public Health Center in Pohang. Provided by Pohang City
Pohang City designated the vacant position of Buk-gu Public Health Center director, which became available due to the retirement of the previous director in June, as an open position and selected Ham In-seok, a physician and former director of Pohang Medical Center, as the final successful candidate.
The new Buk-gu Public Health Center director, Ham In-seok, hails from Yeongju City. He graduated from Kyungpook National University College of Medicine, earned a master's degree from the same university's graduate school, and obtained a Ph.D. in neurosurgery from Pusan National University.
For over 30 years, he served as a professor of neurosurgery at the National Kyungpook National University Hospital, dedicating himself to patient care, education, and clinical research. Additionally, he has held positions such as president of Kyungpook National University and director of Pohang Medical Center, gaining extensive experience and capabilities in regional health and medical systems as well as public health administration.
In particular, during his six years as director of Pohang Medical Center, he contributed to overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic in Pohang and the Gyeongbuk region within the public healthcare sector, and is recognized as a proactive figure in infectious disease prevention and treatment.
Pohang City had issued four recruitment announcements following the first call on April 1st to fill the Buk-gu Public Health Center director position but received no applicants holding a medical license.
While the director’s salary is lower compared to general physicians and the workload is heavy, making recruitment difficult, Ham’s generous decision?driven by his affection for the Pohang region and his commitment to the development of public healthcare?has resolved the long-standing administrative vacancy.
On the 12th, Mayor Lee Kang-deok presented the appointment letter to the new Buk-gu Public Health Center director Ham In-seok at the City Hall External Cooperation Office and urged him to work hard to improve the health of Pohang citizens.
The mayor said, “Ham, who has accumulated extensive experience on the front lines of public healthcare, made a difficult decision to fill a position that had been vacant for six months. We expect this to greatly strengthen the region’s health capabilities. Ham’s bold step, putting aside his distinguished career out of love and service for Pohang citizens, will resonate throughout the community.”
Director Ham In-seok stated, “Based on my experience as a medical administrator, I will strive to improve the health and welfare of Pohang citizens. I will focus on infertility, adult diseases, geriatric treatment, and rehabilitation, and pursue my goals with passion so that Pohang’s health administration can be more loved and trusted by its citizens.”
Director Ham’s term begins on the 16th and will last for two years until December 31, 2026. Depending on his performance, the term can be extended up to a maximum of five years.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
