Chang Kee-ryo facts for kids

Chang Kee-ryo (Hangul: 장기려; 14 August 1911– 25 December 1995) was a famous surgeon, teacher, and kind-hearted person from South Korea. He is remembered for helping many people, especially those who were poor or sick. In 1951, during the Korean War, he started Gospel Hospital in Busan, Korea. Later, in 1979, he received the Ramon Magsaysay Award for his amazing work in helping others and for creating the Blue Cross Health Cooperative.

Chang Kee-ryo's Amazing Work

Chang Kee-ryo achieved many great things in his life. He was a brilliant doctor who made important discoveries. He also worked hard to make sure everyone could get medical help, no matter how much money they had.

Medical Discoveries and Research

Chang Kee-ryo was a very dedicated researcher. He studied serious infections like cellulitis and sepsis. He published his findings in medical journals. In 1940, he earned his Doctor of Medicine degree for his research on appendicitis.

He became the chief surgeon at Pyongyang United Christian Hospital. Later, after Korea became independent, he led the surgical section at the Provincial Hospital of Pyongyang. In 1947, the North Korean government honored him for his excellent work.

When the Korean War began, Chang Kee-ryo moved to South Korea. In 1951, he helped start the Clinic of Gospel. He also taught at Seoul National University as a professor. In 1961, he was chosen to lead the Korean Surgical Society.

Pioneering Liver Surgery

One of Chang Kee-ryo's most important achievements was his work on the liver. His team was the first in Korea to successfully remove a large part of the liver from a patient with liver cancer. After doing eight more of these surgeries, they proved that liver surgery could be safe.

Their work greatly improved liver and bile duct surgeries in Korea. In 1961, they presented their findings and received the Korean Academic Award. Chang Kee-ryo also studied the blood vessels and bile ducts inside the liver. This research was very important for understanding how to perform liver surgeries.

Starting the Blue Cross Health Cooperative

Another major achievement of Chang Kee-ryo was creating the Blue Cross Health Cooperative. He wanted to help poor people get medical care. This cooperative was a big step towards creating medical insurance in South Korea. It meant that more people could afford to see a doctor when they were sick.

In 1979, he won the Ramon Magsaysay Award for his kindness and for starting this important health cooperative.

Awards and Special Recognition

Chang Kee-ryo received many awards for his lifelong dedication to medicine and helping others.

• Achievement award from the mayor of Busan for health care
• Scholarship award from the Korean Medical Association
• Camellia medal from the president for Health Day
• Gold award from Korea Red Cross
• "Ramon Magsaysay" social service award
• Busan municipal cultural prize
• "Proud person of Seoul National University" prize
• National medal "mugunghwa medal" from the president
• Hall of fame of top scientists

Publications

Chang Kee-ryo also wrote and contributed to medical books and papers.

• Chang, Kee Ryo; Yang, Duck Ho/Park, Yong Hoon. (1963). "Clinical Study of Primary Cancer of The Extrahepatic Biliary Tract". Korean Cancer Association vol. 2, issue 2, pp. 75–90

See also

• Kosin University
• Gospel Hospital