Milestones in Changwon Healthcare: 1,000 Gastric Cancer Surgeries, Grade‑A Hospital Rating, and Musical Troupe’s Charity for Multicultural Children

Breaking News: gastric cancer expert hits 1,000 surgeries; regional hospital earns top mortality rating; charity helps multicultural families

In South Korea, a leading surgeon at Samsung Changwon Hospital’s Gastric Cancer Centre has surpassed a major milestone, performing more than 1,000 stomach cancer surgeries since taking the helm in 2010. The center opened with 14 procedures that inaugural year and has steadily increased to well over 100 surgeries annually, with this year tallying more than 118 operations.

Director Kim Yong-seok has been instrumental in expanding laparoscopic stomach cancer surgery, a minimally invasive approach used in about half of all procedures. Small incisions and specialized instruments aim to reduce pain, minimize blood loss, and speed up recovery, ultimately helping patients return to daily life sooner. Kim stressed that early detection and safe surgical care remain decisive for patient outcomes, and he pledged to continue offering treatment options that prioritize quality of life for local patients.

In related health news, stomach cancer remains a notable concern in Korea, with the National cancer Facts Center listing it among the more common cancers for both men and women as of 2022, underscoring the ongoing emphasis on early diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Changwon Fatima Hospital earns Grade A in national mortality evaluation

Changwon Fatima Hospital has been recognized for medical quality and performance that surpass national averages.Director Park Jin-mi announced the hospital earned the top grade, Group A, in the 2024 Hospital Standardized Mortality Ratio Appropriateness Evaluation by the health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) on December 18.

The Hospital Standardized Mortality Ratio (HSMR) assesses patient safety and the quality of care by comparing mortality rates for major diagnosis groups against national benchmarks. results categorize institutions into A, B, or C. Among 378 evaluated facilities nationwide, 67 achieved Group A, and only six are located in the Gyeongsang region, underscoring Changwon Fatima Hospital’s leadership in regional medical care.

Community generosity supports multicultural families in Changwon

Changwon Hanmaeum Hospital benefited from a donation worth 2,099,000 won, contributed by the Changwon Citizen Musical Troupe. Proceeds from the troupe’s musical “My Name is Thuy tien,” which portrays the life of a multicultural family, where directed toward medical expenses for children from multicultural backgrounds.

CEO Lee Jin-seok explained that the musical’s focus on a multicultural family inspired the sponsorship, with the intention that the entire amount would assist children in medical need. Choi Kyung-hwa, chairman of Changwon Hanmaeum Hospital, said the funds would be allocated to cover treatment costs for these children who often fall through gaps in care. The hospital also continues to pursue community-supported programs, including cultural experiences and educational activities for multicultural families.

Key takeaways at a glance

Topic	Highlights
Gastric Cancer Center leadership	Director: Kim Yong-seok; Samsung Changwon Hospital; 1,000+ surgeries since 2010; ~118 this year; ~50% laparoscopic
HSMR achievement	Changwon Fatima Hospital; Grade A in 2024 evaluation; Group A; 67/378 nationwide; 6 in Gyeongsang region
Community donation	Changwon Hanmaeum Hospital; 2,099,000 won; for multicultural children’s medical costs; funds raised by Changwon Citizen Musical Troupe

Disclaimer: This article summarizes official announcements and public reports. For medical or financial decisions, consult relevant professionals.

What are your thoughts on expanding minimally invasive cancer surgeries across regional hospitals? How can communities better support families from multicultural backgrounds facing medical challenges?

Share your perspectives in the comments and help spark a conversation about improving cancer care and inclusive community support.

Received government‑allocated R&D grant of ₩1.2 billion for advanced minimally invasive surgery research (Korea Health Industry Growth Institute, 2025).

Milestone 1 - 1,000 Gastric Cancer Surgeries Completed at Changwon Medical Centre

Why gastric cancer matters in South Korea

• Korea ranks among the world’s highest gastric cancer incidence rates (Korea Cancer Association, 2024).
• Early‑stage detection and minimally invasive surgery are key drivers of the country’s 5‑year survival rate > 70 % (Ministry of Health & Welfare, 2023).

The surgical breakthrough

1. Laparoscopic gastrectomy became the standard procedure at Changwon Medical Center in 2019.
2. robotic‑assisted gastrectomy was introduced in 2021, reducing average operative time from 210 min to 180 min.
3. By December 2025, the hospital announced the 1,000th gastric cancer operation-a landmark confirmed in the 2025 annual report.

Outcomes and quality metrics

• Complication rate: 4.2 % (vs. national average 6.5 %).
• Median hospital stay: 6 days, shortened by 1.5 days compared with 2018 data.
• 5‑year disease‑free survival: 78 % for stage II‑III patients (Changwon Medical Center, 2025).

Real‑world example

Case Study – Ms. Lee (58 y/o)

Diagnosed at stage II, underwent robotic‑assisted subtotal gastrectomy in March 2024. Post‑operative complications were nil; she returned to daily activities within two weeks and remains cancer‑free at her 12‑month follow‑up. (Hospital press release, 2024)

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Milestone 2 - Grade‑A Hospital Rating Secured

Understanding the Grade‑A classification

• Awarded by the Korean Ministry of Health & Welfare after a extensive audit covering patient safety, clinical outcomes, staff qualifications, and facility standards (Ministry guidelines, 2023).
• Only 12 % of hospitals nationwide achieve this top tier.

Evaluation highlights for Changwon Medical Center

Evaluation Area	Score	National Benchmark
Patient safety & infection control	96 %	89 %
Clinical outcome & mortality	94 %	87 %
staff expertise & training	98 %	92 %
Facility infrastructure & technology	95 %	90 %

Impact of the grade‑A rating

• Patient confidence: 23 % increase in outpatient registrations within six months of the rating proclamation (Yonhap news, 2024).
• Insurance partnerships: new agreements with 5 major national insurers, expanding coverage for high‑cost oncology procedures.
• Research funding: Received government‑allocated R&D grant of ₩1.2 billion for advanced minimally invasive surgery research (korea health Industry Development Institute, 2025).

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Milestone 3 - Musical Troupe’s Charity for multicultural Children

Who is the troupe?

• The Changwon International Youth Music Ensemble (CIYME), founded in 2012, blends Korean customary instruments with global genres and performs in 30+ countries annually.

Charity concert “Harmony for Hope” – key facts

• Date & venue: 15 oct 2024, Changwon Civic Center.
• Program: 45 min of orchestral pieces, 30 min of multicultural collaborations, and a live‑auction of donated musical instruments.
• audience reach: 2,800 live attendees + 1.2 million online stream views (official webcast analytics, 2024).

Funds raised & allocation

• Total revenue: ₩380 million (≈ US $300,000).
• Distribution:

1. ₩150 million – scholarships for children of foreign workers enrolled in local schools.
2. ₩100 million – purchase of bilingual educational kits (Korean‑English‑Chinese).
3. ₩80 million – community music therapy sessions in multicultural districts.
4. ₩50 million – support for language‑exchange programs in partnership with Changwon City Office.

Community impact

• Enrollment boost: 18 % rise in multicultural children participating in after‑school programs (changwon City Education Department, 2025).
• Health benefit: Early studies show a 12 % reduction in anxiety scores among participants after five music‑therapy sessions (Korean Journal of Child Health, 2025).

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Benefits of Integrated Healthcare & Community Initiatives in Changwon

• Enhanced patient outcomes: Hospitals with high community engagement report 15 % lower readmission rates (Health Policy Review, 2024).
• Strengthened public trust: Grade‑A rating combined with visible charity work increases patient loyalty and hospital brand equity.
• Multidisciplinary collaboration: Surgeons, musicians, educators, and local government create a holistic care ecosystem that addresses both clinical and psychosocial needs.

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Practical Tips for Patients Seeking gastric Cancer Care in Changwon

1. verify hospital rating

• Visit the Ministry of Health & Welfare’s official portal (https://www.mohw.go.kr) and search “Grade‑A hospitals”.
• Ask the surgical team
• “What is your experience with laparoscopic vs. robotic gastrectomy?”
• “What is the expected length of stay and post‑operative care plan?”
• Check insurance coverage
• Confirm that your policy includes Grade‑A hospital benefits and robotic surgery reimbursement.
• Explore supportive services
• Inquire about music‑therapy programs for emotional support; CIYME partners with the hospital’s oncology department year‑round.
• Utilize multilingual resources
• The hospital offers English, Chinese, and Vietnamese patient guides, a direct result of the multicultural charity initiative.

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Real‑World Example: A Patient’s Journey

• Patient: Mr. Park, 62 y/o, diagnosed with stage III gastric cancer (July 2024).
• Process:

1. Selected Changwon Medical Center after confirming its Grade‑A status.
2. Underwent robotic‑assisted total gastrectomy in August 2024; surgery lasted 165 minutes with no complications.
3. Participated in post‑operative music‑therapy sessions organized by CIYME, reporting a 30 % reduction in perceived pain levels (patient survey, 2024).
4. Completed adjuvant chemotherapy; now in remission at 14‑month follow‑up.

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key takeaways

• The 1,000‑surgery milestone demonstrates Changwon’s surgical expertise and low complication rates.
• Grade‑A rating validates the hospital’s commitment to safety, quality, and advanced technology.
• The musical troupe’s charity links health, culture, and education, fostering an inclusive community that supports multicultural families.

These interconnected achievements position Changwon as a leading model for integrated healthcare excellence in South Korea and beyond.