Veterinarian Spotlight #9:
Dr. HyunGon Kim, Our Featured Veterinarian
We are excited to introduce Dr. HyunGon Kim, as our featured veterinarian for this issue. Dr. Kim completed both his undergraduate and master’s degrees at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kyungpook National University (Korea). After serving as a military veterinarian in the Korean Army, he gained clinical experience as a member of the Clinical Strategy Team at GC Pharma’s R&D Medical Division. Building on this foundation, he worked as a clinical veterinarian at Suwon Haengbok-Sarang Animal Hospital from 2015 to 2017. Years of dedication and experience have led Dr. Kim to his current role as the Chief of Veterinarians of Great Animal Hospital in Seongnam, Korea.
Bio:
Q1 : How would you introduce yourself in 3 words?
A : Basics, Maturity, Humility
“Maturity is about returning to the basics.” This was a phrase I engraved in my heart when I started the hospital. I believe that growth can become toxic to someone who doesn’t hold onto maturity. Thankfully, with the help of many people, I was able to take the first step successfully. Now, I’m gradually putting together the pieces for continued growth. I strive not to lose the humility and seriousness of facing lives every day, even as it becomes a repeated routine. I will always return to the basics and practice medicine with sincerity and honesty.
Q2 : At what age, did you decide to become a vet?
A : Senior year of high school
Though my teacher was very strict, he sparked my fascination with the subject of biology, which soon replaced math as my favorite subject. That experience led me to choose veterinary medicine for my university studies. The six-year journey to becoming a veterinarian was filled with learning that made me love veterinary medicine even more the deeper I delved into it.
Q3 : What do you like the most for being a vet?
A : I believe having a career in something you love and are good at is truly a blessing. Since my graduate school, I explored non-clinical roles for a few years. When I returned to clinical practice in an animal hospital, I found immense happiness. Veterinarians dream of a healthy life for animals on behalf of their owners, and we work hard to help achieve that dream. I love being a veterinarian because it allows me to help ensure that every moment an animal shares with its owner is filled with health and happiness.
Q4 : One sentence that describes your value as a vet.
A : I aim to be a veterinarian who conducts thorough examinations, ensures safe treatments, and pursues stable recoveries.
Q5 : Can you share one memorable moment in your career as a vet?
A : In the early days of the hospital, a family brought in a puppy to be a companion for their elementary school-aged child, who was home alone always due to the work of his parents. The child studied hard through books and YouTube to deliver the best care for his dog and frequently asked me questions out of love for his pet. One day, the child told me that he wanted to become a veterinarian like me. Last year, that same child visited me again and told me he had been accepted into veterinary school. Just as how my high school biology teacher inspired me, I feel deeply honored and happy that I could inspire someone, even in a small way, to pursue this path. While I have many memorable clinical experiences, this is the one story I want to share in particular.
Q6 : What is your expertise (pursuing focus)?
A : Our hospital strives to be a friendly neighborhood clinic where both pets and their owners feel comfortable. We aim to be a joyful place for healthy pets, a comforting space for sick ones, and a welcoming environment for all who visit.
In addition to general internal medicine and surgery, I am committed to ongoing learning and development in specialized areas such as cardiology, nephrology, endocrinology, ophthalmology, and dentistry.
Q7 : What do you like the most about CardioBird?
A : Speed and Accuracy
CardioBird allows us to collect ECG data for 30–60 seconds using a simple device and receive a professional diagnostic report within 20 minutes. It’s an innovative choice for primary care clinics, particularly for health checkups, pre-anesthetic assessments, and monitoring of heart disease patients.
Q8: Surely you have a dream. What do you hope to accomplish through your career or in life?
A : “Effort means investing time.” This quote is from a Japanese mathematician’s (Professor Heisuke Hironaka) book The Joy of Learning. Understanding animals who cannot speak, making correct diagnoses, and providing proper treatment all require a great deal of effort — and that effort often correlates with time. I strive to maintain the mindset I had when I first opened my animal hospital and aim to become a trustworthy veterinarian through continuous dedication.
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