A Cardiac Surgeon from the USA who had Worked in Korea a Half Century Ago: Dr. George Schimert / 대한흉부외과학회지

ABSTRACT

Dr. George Schimert, born in 1918 in Switzerland, received his medical degrees from universities in Hungary and in Germany. After immigration to the United States, he continued medical training at several hospitals. In 1956, for pursuit of cardiac surgery, he had joined the group headed by Dr. Walt Lillehei at the University of Minnesota. During this period, in 1958, he joined Seoul National University Hospital as a overall medical adviser and adviser in surgery for 15 months in partnership with the University of Minnesota Medical School. During his stay in Korea, in addition to the works in the medical administration and education, he contributed to the early establishment of thoracic surgery program. In August 6, 1959, he performed open heart surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass for an ASD patient at Seoul National University Hospital. However, the patient died 6 hours after the operation. In 1960, after returning to the United States, he began his career at Buffalo General Hospital as the first director of its cardiac surgery program. In 1985, the Dr. George Schimert Lectureship and Medical Conference was established to honor his contributions and achievements. He died December 7, 2002.