CardioBird

Veterinarian Spotlight #8:

Dr. Haekyoung Choi, Our Featured Veterinarian

We are excited to introduce Dr. Hae kyoung Choi, as our featured veterinarian for this issue. Dr. Choi is the Head Veterinarian at Plus Animal Medical Center, located in Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, Korea. She earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from Seoul National University in 2000. Following graduation, she gained extensive clinical experience in the Department of Internal Medicine at Seoul National University Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital from 2000 to 2002. From 2003 to 2004, she continued her work in internal medicine at Seoul Animal Medical Center. Since then, she has been serving as the hospital director at Plus Animal Medical Center, where she continues to provide dedicated veterinary care.

Bio: 

• DVM, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University (2000)
• Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (2000–2002)
• Internal Medicine Department, Seoul Animal Medical Center (2003–2004)
• Chief Veterinarian, Plus Animal Medical Center, Suwon, South Korea (2004–Present)

 

 

Q1 :  How would you introduce yourself in 3 words?

A : Curious. Consistent. Care.
I work at a hospital that sees many feline patients, which naturally led me to develop a deep understanding and affection for cats. For me, everything begins with curiosity—not just about veterinary medicine, but about animals themselves. I believe what truly matters is not just knowledge, but the steady care and genuine compassion we show our patients and their guardians.

Q2 : At what age, did you decide to become a vet?

A : At 25.
As a graduation gift from graduate school, my uncle gave me a Yorkshire Terrier. Just three days after I brought him home, he began vomiting and having diarrhea. It turned out to be parvovirus enteritis—and despite everything, he passed away. The heartbreak from that experience pushed me to change my academic path and transfer into veterinary school. I didn’t want something like that to ever happen again—not without me being able to do something about it.

Q3 : What do you like the most for being a vet?

A : Getting to meet dogs and cats every day is definitely the best part.
I will admit it brings me personal joy as well. But more importantly, I find real fulfillment in contributing to the meaningful relationship between pets and their guardians. It is also a wonderful chance to meet people who truly care about animals.

 

 

Q4 : One sentence that describes your value as a vet.

A : Trust is built naturally when we understand the lives of animals, respect the hearts of their guardians, and give our very best in every aspect of care.

Q5 : Can you share one memorable moment in your career as a vet?

A : A senior cat with diabetes and several complications was recently brought in. His condition was serious, so we performed several tests immediately. Throughout the entire process, our team focused on making sure he felt as comfortable as possible.

After the tests, he started eating some canned food, and his guardian began to cry. When I gently asked why, she said that her cat always looked worse whenever he went to other clinics, but here, he seemed at ease and was able to eat. That simple moment touched her deeply.
It is a memory I still carry with me.

Q6 : What is your expertise (pursuing focus)?

A : Managing chronic conditions in senior patients
I focus on patient-centered care rather than disease-centered treatment. I pay close attention to even the smallest signs that senior pets may show and work to help them live longer and more comfortably.

 

 

Q7 : What do you like the most about CardioBird?

A : Speed and accuracy
Compared to the traditional six-lead method, both the testing and interpretation time have been significantly reduced. I really appreciate that expert feedback is available in a short time, allowing for a quick double check. The reliability is also very high thanks to the expert review and detailed comments provided after the initial analysis.

 

 

Q8: Surely you have a dream. What do you hope to accomplish through your career or in life?

A : I hope to build a space where animals feel most at ease and guardians feel they can fully trust the care their pets receive. Together with my colleagues and fellow hospital directors in the Suwon Veterinary Association, I also hope to foster continued growth for individual veterinarians and clinics. My dream is for veterinarians to be seen as trusted professionals, and for animal hospitals to be recognized as safe and dependable places for both pets and their families.