Cho Jae-ho, a professor of orthopedic surgery, officially assumed office as the 23rd director of Hallym University Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital on Sept. 1. Cho succeeds former director Lee Jae-joon, who was appointed director of Hallym University Medical Center. His term runs through Aug. 31, 2028.
Cho earned his medical degree and master's degree from Yeungnam University College of Medicine, followed by a doctorate in medicine from Kangwon National University Graduate School. An orthopedic specialist focusing on foot and ankle disorders, diabetic foot, and sports injuries, he has held key administrative roles at the hospital, including head of the Department of Education and Training and director of the Planning Office. In these positions, he managed physician training, hospital operations, and mid- to long-term growth strategies. In 2025, he received the Gangwon Insul Award in the medical professional category for his contributions to regional healthcare and patient care.
The inauguration ceremony took place Aug. 31 in the auditorium on the ninth floor of the hospital’s annex building, attended by approximately 100 senior administrators and staff members.
In his inaugural address, Cho emphasized "selection and focus" as his central guiding principle. He announced that the hospital will concentrate its clinical resources on high-demand regional medical needs, including cerebrovascular and neurological conditions such as stroke and cerebral hemorrhage, severe emergency care, fractures, trauma, and complex geriatric conditions. By expanding cooperation with local medical institutions, Cho aims to construct a "regionally self-contained healthcare system" that enables patients to complete their treatment locally.
Rather than attempting to handle all medical cases internally, Cho outlined a plan to take direct responsibility for severe and essential care while quickly referring patients to partner institutions for specialized services better suited elsewhere. His vision is to build "a hospital chosen for its expertise, protecting the region through its network."
As the only research-centered hospital in Gangwon Province, Cho also pledged to foster a virtuous cycle that connects frontline clinical challenges directly to research, translating scientific findings back into enhanced patient care.
Alongside clinical and research development, Cho highlighted workplace culture as a primary focus. Citing the principles he has maintained throughout his medical career, he vowed to apply his core philosophy—“Live with common sense, practice medicine with common sense, and work with common sense”—to the hospital's organizational culture.
"We will work closely with local medical institutions to build a healthcare system in which complete treatment is delivered within the region," Cho said. "Through continuous research and innovation, we will grow into a hospital that earns even greater trust from the residents of Gangwon."
