CardioBird

Vet Spot #5:

Dr. Ji-Yong Kim, Our Featured Veterinarian

We are excited to introduce Dr. Ji-Yong Kim as our featured veterinarian for this issue.

Dr.Kim is the head veterinarian at Mirae 24h Animal Medical Center in Bundang. After specializing in veterinary surgery at Konkuk University (Korea), he has built extensive clinical experience in both internal medicine and surgery for companion animals. Combining broad academic knowledge in veterinary surgery with hands-on expertise, he provides attentive and dedicated care, and always with a warm smile for both pets and their parents.

Bio:

• Master’s degree in Veterinary Surgery, Konkuk University
• Chief of Surgery, Konkuk University Veterinary Teaching Hospital
• Clinical Rotation Instructor and Surgical Research Assistant, Konkuk University College of Veterinary Medicine
• Head of Surgery, Incheon S Animal Hospital
• Member, Korean Veterinary Medical Association (KVMA)
• Published in the Korean Journal of Veterinary Clinics on topics including:
  Pre- and post-operative evaluation of lameness grade and radiographic osteoarthritis scores in dogs with medial patellar luxation.

 

 

Q1 :  How would you introduce yourself in 3 words?

A : Family. Love. Health. These three words reflect the core of who I am.

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

A : Growing up with companion animals, I naturally developed a deep interest in caring for living beings. I often found myself thinking, “How wonderful it would be if I could help that sick animal.” As this thought grew stronger, it sparked a profound sense of purpose in veterinary medicine. I was drawn not only to treating animals, but also to meaningfully supporting both pets and their families. That desire led me to pursue veterinary science with a clear and determined goal. Along the way, I’ve worked hard to grow in many areas—not only academically, but also in communication and ethical understanding. Today, I feel proud to be on the path I once dreamed of.

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

A : Spending time with animals brings me emotional comfort, and my ability to treat and save lives gives me a strong sense of fulfillment. Among the many fields within veterinary medicine, I’ve always been particularly drawn to surgery. The opportunity to directly intervene and significantly improve an animal’s quality of life is incredibly rewarding. There is something deeply moving about seeing a pet regain its strength and vitality after a successful procedure. Moments like these remind me why I chose this path and why I remain committed to it every day.

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

A : I value responsibility and clinical excellence. I strive to earn the trust of both patients and their families through ongoing learning and thoughtful, evidence-based care.

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

A : There was a critically ill emergency patient. I did everything I could to support this patient without sleeping. After all, the patient stabilized and the owner tearfully thanked me and I was deeply moved. What stayed with me even more was seeing them return to the hospital later—healthy and full of life. That moment reminded me why I chose this profession. It was a powerful affirmation of what it means to be a veterinarian.

Q6 : What is your expertise (pursuing focus)?

A : My primary area of focus is veterinary surgery.
Surgery enables direct intervention in life-threatening conditions and traumatic injuries, making it one of the most technically demanding and intellectually challenging fields in veterinary medicine. It requires precise diagnostic skills, advanced technical expertise, and a commitment to lifelong learning.

What I find particularly meaningful about surgery is its integrative nature—encompassing accurate diagnosis, operative precision, postoperative care, and ongoing communication with the pet’s family.

I have deep respect for the responsibility this role carries, and I remain committed to strengthening both my academic knowledge and clinical skills to provide safe, effective surgical care as a veterinary surgeon.

Q7 : What do you like the most about CardioBird?

A : CardioBird’s greatest strength lies in its ability to deliver fast and accurate analyses. In the past, even when heart disease was suspected, confirming a diagnosis often required considerable time. With CardioBird, however, precise and professional results are available immediately after testing, enabling faster and more confident clinical decision making.

After reading the latest issue of the CardioBird newsletter, I began actively incorporating it into pre-anesthetic evaluations. It has proven to be highly effective in supporting well-informed anesthesia decisions.

Q8 : You must have a dream. What do you want to achieve through your profession? or as a human?

A : I hope to become the kind of veterinarian that younger colleagues say, “I want to be like him someday.” My dream is to grow alongside my peers to learn together, support one another, and foster a community where we can all continue to grow, both as professionals and as individuals.