Doosan Yonkang Foundation Presents '2026 Doosan Yonkang Surgical Academic Award'... Professors Kim Changhyun and Lee Sanghoon Win

Research on Rectal Cancer Surgery and Pediatric Surgery Fee Surcharges Recognized

The Doosan Yonkang Foundation said on the 8th that it held the 2026 Doosan Yonkang Surgical Academic Award ceremony at the Korean Surgical Society’s academic conference on the 7th at the Swiss Grand Hotel in Hong-eun-dong, Seoul. The winners were Professor Kim Chang-hyun of Chonnam National University Medical School and Professor Lee Sang-hoon of Samsung Medical Center. Professor Kim received 30 million won, and Professor Lee received 10 million won. Both also received plaques.

At the 2026 Doosan Yonkang Surgical Award ceremony held on the 7th at the Swiss Grand Hotel in Hong-eun-dong, Seoul, (from left) Lee Kangyoung, chairman of the board of the Korean Surgical Society; Park Yonghyun, chairman of the Doosan Yonkang Foundation; Kim Changhyun, professor at Chonnam National University Medical School; and Yoo Heechul, president of the Korean Surgical Society, pose for a commemorative photo. Doosan Yonkang Foundation

Professor Kim conducted a clinical trial to study how the location at which blood vessels are tied off during rectal cancer surgery affects recovery at the site where the bowel is reconnected after surgery. He confirmed that the location of the ligation made no difference to the rate of complications or functional recovery. He was recognized for providing scientific evidence to help medical professionals choose surgical methods.

Professor Lee analyzed the effects of the pediatric surgery fee surcharge system, which was expanded in 2021. After the expansion, the number of surgeries remained unchanged, but the total amount of fees billed for surgeries increased more than threefold. The increase was greatest among infants weighing less than 1.5 kg. His findings confirmed with data that health insurance reimbursement for pediatric surgery had actually improved.

The pediatric surgery fee surcharge is a health insurance reimbursement system that adds a set amount to the basic surgical fee. Higher surcharge rates apply to younger and lighter babies.

The Doosan Yonkang Surgical Academic Award was established in 2007 to advance surgery in Korea and encourage surgeons to pursue research. A total of 46 people have received the award over the past 20 years, including this year’s recipients.

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