[Who is] Tae Kyun Kim, M.D., Ph.D. President of TK Orthopedic Hospital

Tae Kyun Kim, M.D., Ph.D. President of TK Orthopedic Hospital, Leads Mission to Provide Care and Guide Seniors Towards Well-Aging

◾ Selected as ¡®Nation¡¯s Top Medical Institution¡¯ by K•E•C•A(The Korea Economic Cooperation Association) for three consecutive years

◾ Tae Kyun Kim, M.D., Ph.D., President of TK Orthopedic Hospital | TK Life Care

The prospect of eternity and a life free from illness have long been cherished aspirations of humanity. With the advancement of medical technology, the extension of human lifespan is steadily becoming a reality. Nevertheless, in an era where longevity is increasingly attainable, the significance of "quality in longevity" surpasses the mere span of years. It"s not only the contentment of a lengthy existence that matters, but rather the significance of how those additional years are spent. In the context of our modern world, an extended lifespan signifies not just a duration, but a pragmatic inquiry into its sustenance and purpose. Amidst the gratification of elongated life, the juncture has arisen to deeply contemplate "what kind of life are we to pursue?"

From his origins as a medical practitioner at Bundang Seoul National University Hospital to the establishment of the TK Orthopedic Hospital 2017, Professor TK Kim¡¯s journey has been one of tireless patient care, unceasing research, and a contemplation of senior life. He underscores the importance of priming both body and mind for a contented and prosperous elderly life—prioritizing vitality and wisdom above financial prosperity. According to Professor Kim, we must make strategic choices and realize the pragmatic steps to take in cultivating a sense of joy that will extend into our centennial years.

Furthermore, Professor Kim propounds that the focus during old age should unequivocally be the nurturing of life itself. Driven by an unwavering mission as a medical professional, he extends his influence beyond patient care, striving to catalyze a felicitous old age for all. This week, our studio had the privilege of engaging with Professor TK Kim to delve into the profound essence underlying TK Orthopedic Hospital—embodied by its motto as "an indispensable global healthcare institution." / Coverage•Writing_Reporter Kim Yu-Wi

A hospital that Nurtures Life Beyond Treating Physical and Mental Ailments
"The majority of the patients under my care initially come due to knee pain, but I notice that what they really come for is the good quality of life that healthy knees can afford them.¡±

Professor Kim, a medical practitioner dedicated to the intricacies of knee joints throughout his career, has successfully treated many patients and guided them back to their everyday routines and vocations. He states, "In the realm of knee medicine, it is the physician¡¯s responsibility to not only treat pain, but also to restore functionality, thereby enabling a return to everyday life."

Notably, Professor Kim believes that patients and their families require not only cure for physical ailment, but also care for emotional pain and stress that is inherent in the treatment trajectory. Consequently, he underscores the imperative of tailoring treatment to the individual"s condition and guiding them towards a high-quality life. A distinguishing facet of TK Orthopedic Surgery is its emphasis on "Life Care," a comprehensive approach addressing patients" physical and psychological well-being over their lifespan.

"The trials of life persists even post-successful joint treatment. The challenges and chronic ailments stemming from the progression of age in body and psyche are inevitable. During this phase, muscle potency wanes gradually, zest for life diminishes, and when geriatric afflictions set in, routine existence becomes elusive, often culminating in one¡¯s less-than-gracious demise. This is a common struggle for my patients. Prolonged and contented living for patients mandates a holistic management encompassing both chronic and geriatric illnesses, harmonized with a healthy lifestyle.¡±

Guiding Patients Toward a Happy, Healthy, and Sustainable Approach to Aging
George Vaillant, an American psychiatrist, introduced the concept of "seven prerequisitesfor happiness." These are ¡ãabstinence from smoking ¡ã wise drinking ¡ãmaintaining a healthy weight ¡ã regular exercise routines ¡ã solid human relationships ¡ãlifelong learning¡ãdeveloped mental defense mechanisms. ProfessorKim¡¯s main takeaway for this concept is that with the right values and habits, finding purpose in life brings happiness.

Over the course of many years, Professor Kim has diligently prepared, step by step, to establish an all-encompassing clinic for the elderly—a haven poised to quietly witness the lives of patients and cultivate their twilight years into ones of contentment. ProfessorKim"s aspirations have now been realized. In April 2023, as an integral facet of TK Life Care, the curtains were raised on the "TK H3+ Clinic," nestled on the ground floor of TK Orthopedic Surgery. The naming of the TK H3+ Clinic is rich with connotations of "Eternity," rooted within the realms of "Health, Happiness, and Hundred." Positioned on the first floor, the clinic¡¯s strategic placement augments accessibility for patients. The clinic includes geriatric medicine, rheumatology, cardiovascular medicine, and general internal medicine, all united by the tenets of "Healthy, Happy, and Sustainable.¡± It has laid the foundation for a comprehensive healthcare framework aimed at enhancing both mental and physical well-being to steward the journey through one"s golden years.

"While humans yearn for eternal life, reality dictates its impossibility. Yet, the cherished memories of individuals living beautifully persist as an enduring presence in our minds, much like the spirit of Admiral Yi Sun-sin. Their invaluable legacies continue through generations, evolving into immortal worldly wisdom. Although these individuals¡¯ earthly forms have gone, their spirits remain - an eternity that perpetually influences the present. This is the rationale behind the founding of TK H3+ Clinic. The clinic aims to comprehensively address geriatric ailments. Beyond joint surgeries, our service guides patients towards a gracious old age, enabling them to relish a life that"s healthy, joyful, and enduring.

Senior patients require an approach distinct from middle-aged patients when it comes to diagnosing, treating, and preventing illnesses resulting from multiple conditions, polypharmacy, and the effects of aging. It"s pivotal to manage chronic ailments with personalized health and financial considerations - aligning them with the individual"s life priorities, adapting medication types and dosages, and upholding health through regular physical activity. The American Geriatrics Society highlights the "4M approach" as imperative in caring for the elderly."

Carrying OutLife Care Through Personalized Treatment System
The 4M model, a pivotal framework within geriatric medicine endorsed by the American Geriatric Association, serves as a valuable tool not only for elderly patients but also for individuals entrapped in detrimental cycles. It offers a methodical route to unearth the root causes of issues and pave the way for positive transformations. The 4M framework consists of ¡ã What Matters ¡ã Medication ¡ã Mentation¡ã Mobility. TK Orthopedic Hospital is building an elder-centric healthcare system grounded in the principles of the 4M approach.

¡°The 4M framework serves as the principles and content that will guide TK Life Care Organization in its mission to provide total care for seniors. We first focus on what truly matters, understanding what"s important to each person right now. Seniors often have multiple health concerns, not just one, and various factors come into play, not just medical issues. So, it"s crucial to set clear treatment goals by taking their overall life situation into account. This is done through a comprehensive evaluation that looks at all the chronic and complex problems seniors face.

The second aspect is "Medication," which involves figuring out the right medications for each patient. Especially for seniors who might be taking multiple medications for different medical conditions, it"s important to manage them carefully.

The third part, ¡°Mentation" focuses on seniors" mental health. This means identifying issues like trouble sleeping, feeling down, or memory problems. It"s also about helping them find ways to stay mentally strong and positive, often through practices like meditation.

Lastly, "Mobility," is about helping seniors keep their physical and mental abilities as much as possible. With age, these abilities can decline, so it"s important to work on maintaining them."

At TK Orthopedic Clinic, we have experts like Professor Chul-hoKim in cardiovascular health, Dr. Il-woongSon skilled in rheumatology and gastroenterology, and Dr. Hye-mi Park specializing in family medicine. Using this personalized approach, we"re dedicated to building the "TK Life Care Organization."

Professor Kim progressively shapes and scales his vision through TK Life Organization. He took earlier strides by founding the TK SRP Sports, Rehabilitation, and Pain Center, alongside establishing a dedicated customer service enclave, demonstrating his adherence to a patient-oriented ethos. He emphasizes, "Not many people seem to live their later years happily and with fulfillment." This idea is at the heart of TK Life Care, and the organization is working on creating a welcoming community for seniors through various programs. Furthermore, he aspires to cement the legacy with an elderly hospice-a holistic tribute to the twilight years.

The Final Journey of Life, Hospice
Kim Yeo-hwan, a compassionate figure in family medicine and hospice care, has penned an insightful essay shedding light on the intricate interplay of life and death, peppered with poignant patient stories. His work, titled "Lessons from a Thousand Deaths," seeks to imbue readers with a message of hope—a beacon to navigate the terrain of mortality.

¡°Many view hospice as a place where only very sick people go to die. Death, too, is often regarded as a distant concern. If you ask me why it¡¯s important to face the reality of hospice, my response would be that it is an inevitable part of our journey that everyone is bound to confront, even though it may be difficult to pinpoint when.¡± - Excerpt from "Lessons from a Thousand Deaths"

When we talk about life, we can¡¯t avoid talking about death. Birth inevitably ushers in death. Amidst our fascination with leveraging advancements in diverse technologies to foster ¡®well-being," the concept of "well-dying" emerges as a fairly new discourse in the era of an increasingly aging society. This speaks to concluding life with grace, values, and dignity intrinsic to humanity. A notion marked by the conviction that preparing for the end not only empowers individuals to reflect on their lives but also provides solace to the bereaved. The Korean Death Society states that our passing should not be a suffering and that creating a good way to pass on is crucial, starting with understanding what death really means.

"What we do in the last part of our lives is becoming really important. So, as doctors, we"re always thinking about how to care for people at the end of their lives." We started the "Health 100 Years" Foundation to gather people who share this goal. We"re raising money to do different things, like giving talks at centers for seniors, organizing events to learn more, helping people who can"t afford medical care, and funding research on health problems that affect older people. Thanks to the efforts of many, people are starting to see hospice care in a better light. But still, many people don"t fully understand what hospice is all about. Our plan is to spread awareness about hospice and even create a nursing home that feels like a comfortable hotel, a place that supports both body and mind. With various illnesses, medicines, and the challenges of growing older, we want to offer medical care tailored to older folks and set up programs that help with mental and physical well-being.¡±

Aging is a universal rite. In light of this, the pursuit of a "joyful old age" becomes a shared preoccupation among society"s diverse members. Geriatric medicine is not an abstract concept but a tangible reality intricately tied to our collective future. As such, for those envisioning a healthful life as they approach the latter part of their years, TK Life Care unfurls as an affirmative roadmap, illuminating a more tangible facet of existence. Professor Kim stresses, "Our mission spans beyond treating ailments; it"s about fostering the inherent nobility within each individual, fostering a sense of community, and relishing a life of meaning within society." Anchored by TK Life Care"s vision of safeguarding life as an "indispensable global institution," Dr. Tae Kyun Kim¡¯s commendable conduct and intent radiate luminously.

Profile
• Graduated from Seoul National University Medical School
• Naval surgeon
• Seoul National University Hospital orthopedic surgeon and fellow doctor
• Assistant professor at Hallym University School of Medicine
• Clinical fellow at Louisville Artificial Joint Center in the United States
• Clinical fellow at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (Sports Medicine)
• Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Seoul National University Medical School
• Professor of Joint Center at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital
• Member of the American Knee Society
• Member of the Associations of Bone and Joint Surgeons
• Deputy editor of the International Journal, CORR
• Consultant of Artificial joint company, Smith & Nephew, B. Braun, Zimmer
• Advisor of Korea Economic Cooperation Association

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