One bus stop from Suncheon National University Hospital — competition for patients looms
Suncheon's St. Charles Hospital, which opened in November 1969, celebrated its 57th anniversary with a commemorative Mass and ceremony.
The medical foundation of the Sisters of Charity of Jesus held the anniversary Mass on Wednesday at Seongsim Hall in the hospital's annex building. Archbishop Kim Hee-joong Higino of the Gwangju Archdiocese, a senior pastoral figure, presided over the service.
In his homily, Archbishop Kim said that while AI has advanced rapidly, it cannot reach into the human heart and emotions. He expressed hope that the occasion would give St. Charles Hospital the chance to treat patients like family, serve with a spirit of love, and grow into a distinguished hospital that stands alongside the community.
Archbishop Kim also presented the hospital with a sacred image of the Virgin Mary — "Salus Populi Romani" — offering prayers for the healing of patients.
The image, whose title means "Health of the Roman People," will be enshrined in the annex chapel in the hope that patients may receive the grace of healing through the intercession of the Virgin Mary.
The second part of the ceremony recognized long-serving employees and outstanding staff. Awards went to 62 employees for long service and six others for distinguished, excellent and model performance. Macsub Co. was named the model service contractor, and the general affairs team received the departmental commendation.
Hospital Director Sister Park Myeong-ok said in her address that the hospital earned a top rating in this year's patient experience evaluation thanks to the united efforts of all staff, and was designated a regional cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease center in addition to its existing status as the regional emergency medical center for eastern South Jeolla Province. She called on staff to prepare for another century ahead by continuing to serve patients from the humblest position and practicing the love and service of Jesus Christ, the healer.
St. Charles Hospital, run by a Catholic foundation, originally opened as a small clinic beside Suncheon City Hall in Jangcheon-dong. It was upgraded to a general hospital in 1996, and in 1998 relocated to Jorye-dong — a midpoint between Suncheon and Gwangyang — where it expanded to a 600-bed facility.
The hospital has drawn large numbers of patients thanks to the widest range of medical departments in eastern South Jeolla Province and its regional emergency medical center designation. Competition is expected to become unavoidable, however, once Suncheon National University's medical school and university hospital open in 2032, just 500 meters away in a straight line.
parkds@heraldcorp.com
