Day 1
Opening Keynote
Global Knowledge Sharing
Keynote Description ; this keynote by Professor Jheon will address Universal health coverage, problems in healthcare service in developing regions and how to overcome limitations. The importance of education will also be emphasized. We can overcome limitations by clevering utilizing cutting-edge Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and global cooperation. The POC project with IDB/ADB will also be introduced.
Speaker:
Sanghoon Jheon, Professor emeritus, Seoul National University, Korea
Professor Jheon is a globally well known thoracic surgeon and the current president of Asian Society for Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery. He served as a CEO and president of Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Korea. He founded the Asian Thoracic Academy for educating young surgeons globally. He also founded Global Smart Hospital Alliance and served as CEO of Health-on-Cloud.
Welcome Remarks
Young Tae Jeon, CEO of Seoul National University Bundang Hospital
Dr. Young-tae Jeon is the 15th President and CEO of Seoul National University Bundang Hospital (SNUBH). A graduate of Seoul National University College of Medicine, he is a prominent specialist in neuroanesthesiology and pain medicine. Over his 23-year tenure at SNUBH since its 2003 founding, Dr. Jeon has held vital administrative leadership roles, including Head of Public Relations, Chief Planning Officer, and Vice President of Medical Affairs. He previously served as President of the Korean Society of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine. As CEO, Dr. Jeon is driving SNUBH’s transformation into a world-class, tertiary medical center by pioneering AI-driven medical innovations, smart clinical workflows, and advanced precision healthcare.
Ali Zamir Khan, Chairman of Global Smart Hospital Alliance
Prof. Ali Zamir Khan is a globally renowned thoracic surgeon with over 30 years of clinical expertise pioneering minimally invasive and robotic chest surgery. He currently serves as a Consultant Thoracic Surgeon at Blackpool Victoria Hospital in the United Kingdom, having previously held prestigious positions including Director of Robotic Surgery at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital in London and Chief of Minimally Invasive and Robotic Thoracic Surgery at Medanta – The Medicity in India.
A leading authority in his field, Prof. Khan specializes in advanced robotic thoracic oncology, video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), and complex procedures for inflammatory lung diseases. He holds an MBBS, MS, and MBA, and is a Fellow of both the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS Glasgow) and the European Board of Cardiothoracic Surgeons (FEBTS). An active researcher and educator, he has published over 100 papers and is the author of the Operative Manual of Robotic Thoracic Surgery.
Kyung Pil Nam, Former Governor of Gyeonggi Province, Korea
Kyung-pil Nam is a prominent South Korean businessman and former politician who served as the Governor of Gyeonggi Province from 2014 to 2018. Before his governorship, he was elected to five consecutive terms as a member of the National Assembly between 1998 and 2014. After retiring from politics in 2019, Nam transitioned into corporate leadership and social advocacy, founding the anti-drug organization Eun-gu. He currently drives innovation across the technology and healthcare sectors, serving as the CEO of autonomous driving startup PonyLink and the Chairman of biotechnology firm GemVax & KAEL.
KEYNOTE LECTURE 1
Session Description : This keynote lecture will cover how healthcare is evolving from
digitisation and digital transformation towards AI-native, connected and more patient-centric
models, including changes in healthcare service delivery, hospital-to-home care, AI-enabled
operations and patient journeys, and the role of hospitals, technology companies, medtech,
pharma, insurers, government and startups in building the next healthcare ecosystem.
Moderator:
Guillermo Dominguez Cherit, Dean of Monterrey University Medical College, Mexico
Dr. José Guillermo Domínguez Cherit is the Regional Dean of the School of Medicine and Health Sciences (Mexico City region) at Tecnológico de Monterrey and the Deputy Director of Critical Medicine at the Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán (INNSZ). A graduate of UNAM, he completed specialized training in internal medicine, anesthesiology, and critical care, alongside advanced studies in mechanical ventilation in Barcelona, Spain. An acclaimed Level II National Researcher (SNI), he actively contributes to global critical care advancements, serving on the Task Force of Mass Critical Care for the American College of Chest Physicians.
l insight to global stages.
Chae-Yong Kim, Director, Biomedical Research Institute, SNUBH, Korea
Dr. Chae-Yong Kim is a renowned Professor of Neurosurgery at Seoul National University College of Medicine and the Director of the Biomedical Research Institute at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital (SNUBH). He specializes in neuro-oncology, focusing on advanced treatments for brain tumors, glioblastoma, and gamma knife radiosurgery. As Director, Dr. Kim oversees translational medical research, clinical trials, and healthcare technology innovations at the Healthcare Innovation Park. An extensively published researcher with nearly 180 peer-reviewed articles, he contributes significantly to neurosurgical methodologies. Dr. Kim remains a prominent leader advancing clinical research networks and global neuro-oncology standards.
Moderators; moderators will begin this session by introducing the two honourable keynote speakers and give brief introduction of subject topics.
How AI is changing our daily lives and healthcare?
Sang K Cha, Professor emeritus, Seoul National University, KoreaFormer dean of Graduate School of Data Science, Seoul National University College of Engineering, Korea. Distinguished Fellow of Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence, Stanford University, USA.
Dr. Sang Kyun Cha is a world-renowned computer scientist, entrepreneur, and pioneer in database technology. He is a professor emeritus at Seoul National University (SNU), where he served as the founding dean of the Graduate School of Data Science and founding director of the Big Data Institute. In 2000, Dr. Cha founded Transact In Memory, a silicon-valley backed venture acquired by SAP that laid the technological foundation for SAP HANA, a revolutionary in-memory database platform. A recipient of the prestigious 2022 Ho-Am Prize in Engineering, he currently serves as a non-resident distinguished fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute.
From Digital Healthcare to AI-Native Healthcare: The Future of Healthcare Services and Ecosystems
Lecture Summary
Healthcare has evolved from digitisation and digital transformation towards AI-native, connected and more patient-centric models, including changes in healthcare service delivery such as hospital-to-home care. This presentation explores impacts of rising AI-enabled operations and patient journeys, beyond AI in clinical research. We will also evaluate the ecosystem becoming a unit of transformation, associated challenges faced and possible next steps in enabling the future of healthcare.
Jim Lim, Professor, National University Singapore, Singapore
Jim Lim is a digital health strategist, technology executive and ecosystem builder with more than 25 years of leadership experience across APAC and Europe. He is currently Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of 59st Ventures, Executive Education Fellow at the National University of Singapore, and Senior Fellow at the Singapore University of Social Sciences. Jim previously served as Founding CEO of Good Doctor Technology, a Ping An/Grab joint venture, launching GrabHealth Indonesia in nine months, and as Partner and Sector Lead for Healthcare & Life Sciences at NCS, where he grew the healthcare business 3-fold in 3 years. He has also established a sizable business for Zuhlke Group in APAC within 2 years. A recognised voice on practical AI deployment, interoperable data ecosystems, Public Health Informatics and digital health, he brings boardroom perspective, operator discipline and deep regional insight to global stages.
Panel Discussion 1
Panel Discussion 1:
Leveraging AI- and Digital-Powered Applications to Transform Healthcare Services
Session Description: This session will examine how artificial intelligence (AI) and digital
technologies can be deployed responsibly to improve care delivery, clinical decision-making,
operational performance, and access to high-quality services. Panelists will share practical
approaches to embedding digital tools into clinical and administrative workflows while keeping
patient needs at the centre of transformation.
Moderators:
Teodoro Kofidis, Professor of NUHS, Singapore. Director of National Heart Center, Greece.
Professor Theodoros Kofidis is a distinguished senior cardiothoracic surgeon with extensive expertise in complex cardiac and aortic surgery, minimally invasive cardiac procedures, and advanced surgical technologies. He has held senior academic and clinical appointments at leading medical institutions and has contributed extensively to medical education, research, and the advancement of cardiovascular care.
Professor Kofidis has a particular interest in innovation and the integration of emerging technologies into clinical practice, with a focus on improving surgical outcomes and patient care. He is actively involved in international conferences, academic collaborations, and professional education, sharing his expertise with colleagues worldwide.
Hee Hwang, CEO, Kakao Health, Korea
Panelists:
Ho Young Lee, CIO, Seoul National University Hospital, Korea
Dr. Ho-Young Lee is the Chief Information Officer (CIO) of Seoul National University Bundang Hospital (SNUBH) and Associate Dean for Research Affairs at Seoul National University College of Medicine. A pioneer in digital health transformation, he has led SNUBH’s healthcare IT initiatives for seven years, securing multiple HIMSS EMRAM Stage 7 re-validations. Dr. Lee is globally recognized for building robust clinical data architectures and scaling sustainable hospital AI solutions. As a prominent researcher and public health technologist, he frequently collaborates with international health IT organizations to advance interoperability, medical AI governance, and digital pandemic response strategies.
Kravchenoko Alexandr Yruievich, Head of the Moscow Institute of Artificial
Intelligence in Healthcare, Russia
Dr. Alexander Yurievich Kravchenko is a prominent Russian healthcare administrator and public official currently serving as the Director General of the Moscow Institute of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare.
A Candidate of Medical Sciences, Kravchenko graduated from Amur State Medical University in 2005. He built a rigorous clinical and academic foundation at elite institutions, including Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University. He later transitioned into public governance, serving as the Minister of Health for the Kaliningrad Oblast from 2017 to 2024, where he spearheaded regional digital transformation initiatives. Appointed to lead Moscow's healthcare AI institute in February 2026, he now drives the development of cutting-edge software and machine learning integration across the capital's medical infrastructure.
Tien Y Wong, Professor & Senior Vice-Chancellor, Tsinghua Medicine and Vice-Provost Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
Senior Advisor, SingHealth, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore
Professor Tien Yin Wong is a distinguished physician-scientist, innovator, and Senior Vice-Chancellor of Tsinghua Medicine and Vice-Provost of Tsinghua University, China. He has held senior leadership positions in Singapore and Australia, including at the National University of Singapore, SingHealth Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore National Eye Centre, and the University of Melbourne. A practicing retinal specialist, his research focuses on retinal diseases, ocular imaging, artificial intelligence, and digital health technologies. He has published over 1,700 peer-reviewed papers, secured more than US$100 million in research funding, and received numerous prestigious international awards. He is an elected member or fellow of five national academies.
Chul-Hyun Cho, Director, Smart Healthcare Research Group, Korea University Anam Hospital, Korea.
Dr. Chul-Hyun Cho is a Professor of Psychiatry and Biomedical Informatics at Korea University College of Medicine and Director of the Smart Healthcare Research Group at Korea University Anam Hospital. He leads the Digital Convergence & Social Psychiatry Lab, pioneering advancements in digital psychiatry, chronobiology, and clinical affective disorders. His research focuses on integrating mobile apps, wearable devices, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence into mental health care. Widely published in top-tier medical journals, Dr. Cho actively investigates the clinical impacts of generative AI and conversational social chatbots on mitigating loneliness and social anxiety, driving innovation in global digital healthcare solutions.
Tien Beng Phua, Managing Director(Greater China), Raffles Medical Group, Singapore.
Tien Beng Phua is the Managing Director (Greater China) at Raffles Medical Group, where he drives strategic growth and operations across the region. With over two decades of international healthcare leadership, he has successfully managed complex medical ecosystems, hospital groups, and digital health transformations.
Previously, he served as Co-President and CFO of Ping An Healthcare Management Group and CEO of Singapore Operations at Parkway Pantai, overseeing major hospitals like Gleneagles and Mount Elizabeth. He holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and started his career as a clinical dietitian.
Sang Min Park, Professor, Seoul National University Hospital, Korea
Dr. Sang Min Park is a distinguished Professor of Family Medicine at Seoul National University Hospital and Seoul National University College of Medicine. He serves as the Director of the Department of Family Medicine and leads the Health System Data Science Laboratory. A leading expert in health data science and cancer survivorship, Dr. Park has significantly advanced clinical care systems for vulnerable populations and terminal cancer patients. Recognizing his medical expertise and leadership, he was appointed as the personal chief physician to the President of South Korea.
Panel Discussion 2
Panel Discussion 2:
Virtual Healthcare Services and Telemedicine: Opportunities, Challenges, and Future Directions
Session Description: This session will explore how virtual healthcare and telemedicine are reshaping patient-centred care through remote consultation, diagnosis, monitoring, and follow-up. Panelists will consider how these models can overcome geographical barriers, improve continuity of care, and expand access for remote and underserved populations.
Moderator:
Sanghoon Jheon, Emeritus Professor of SNU, CEO of Health on Cloud, Korea
Professor Jheon is a globally well known thoracic surgeon and the current president of Asian Society for Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery. He served as a CEO and president of Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Korea. He founded the Asian Thoracic Academy for educating young surgeons globally. He also founded Global Smart Hospital Alliance and served as CEO of Health-on-Cloud.
Hyeoun-Ae Park, Emeritus Professor SNU, CEO Health O&T, Korea.
Dr. Hyeoun-Ae Park is an Emeritus Professor at Seoul National University and the CEO of Health O&T. A world-renowned pioneer in nursing informatics, she introduced South Korea’s first academic informatics curricula and championed standard terminology-based electronic records. Her extensive leadership includes serving as President of the International Medical Informatics Association (IMIA) and the IMIA Nursing Informatics special interest group. A Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, Dr. Park has published over 200 papers on standardized clinical vocabularies and predictive healthcare analytics. Today, she leads Health O&T to commercialize cutting-edge digital health technologies globally.
Panelists:
Naveed Z Alam, Professor, University of Melbourne, Australia
Mr. Naveed Z. Alam is a prominent consultant thoracic surgeon based in Melbourne and a Senior Lecturer at the University of Melbourne. Following his medical degree and surgical residency in Canada, he completed advanced thoracic fellowships at the National Cancer Institute of Canada and the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York.
Since 2005, Mr. Alam has maintained an active clinical practice across major hospitals including St Vincent’s Health and Epworth Richmond, specializing in thoracic oncology, slipping rib syndrome, and minimally invasive robotic and video-assisted (VATS) surgeries. A dedicated educator, he helps train the next generation of surgeons globally through his leadership roles within the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and the Asian Thoracoscopic Education Platform.
Seungwoo Nam, CEO, Woorisoa Children's Medical Foundation, Korea
Dr. Seungwoo Nam is a distinguished South Korean pediatrician, medical executive, and healthcare innovator who serves as the Vice Chairman and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of the Woorisoa Medical Foundation. A board-certified pediatric specialist and clinical professor, Dr. Nam is a leading voice in specialized 24/7 pediatric emergency medicine.
He pioneered digital health solutions by co-developing iMedic and Wooa Doctor, remote pediatric care and AI applications designed to streamline dynamic childhood health monitoring and triage. Recognized nationwide for his contributions to clinical systems and pandemic care, Dr. Nam was awarded the prestigious Jong근당 Respected Hospitalian Award.
Vasiliyev Yuriy Alexndrovich, Chief of the Research and Practical Clinical Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine Technologies of the Moscow Department of Health, Russia
Dr. Yuriy Alexandrovich Vasiliyev is the Director and Chief Radiologist of the Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine Technologies under the Moscow Department of Health. A graduate of the prestigious S.M. Kirov Military Medical Academy, he completed advanced residencies and postgraduate studies specializing in radiation diagnostics.
Dr. Vasiliyev is a leading authority in digital health, pioneering the integration of artificial intelligence and advanced digital platforms into routine clinical radiology workflows. Under his leadership, the center has achieved international acclaim, spearheading groundbreaking research, publishing the Digital Diagnostics journal, and establishing innovative testing standards to objectively validate AI medical software systems.
Jin Jeong, CEO, DoctornNow, Korea
Jin Jeong is the CEO of Doctor Now Co., Ltd., South Korea's premier digital healthcare and telemedicine platform.
He graduated from New York University (NYU) and built an early career in global investment banking at Morgan Stanley, where he orchestrated prominent cross-border mergers and corporate acquisitions. Seeking to disrupt healthcare infrastructure, he transitioned to tech ecosystems by joining Doctor Now as Strategic Director in October 2022.
Rising to sole Chief Executive Officer by late 2024, Jeong currently spearheads the platform's data-driven operational strategy, Series C capital initiatives, and policy engagement amid South Korea's evolving remote medical regulations.
Guillermo Dominguez Cherit, Dean of Monterrey University Medical College, Mexico
Dr. José Guillermo Domínguez Cherit is the Regional Dean of the School of Medicine and Health Sciences (Mexico City region) at Tecnológico de Monterrey and the Deputy Director of Critical Medicine at the Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán (INNSZ). A graduate of UNAM, he completed specialized training in internal medicine, anesthesiology, and critical care, alongside advanced studies in mechanical ventilation in Barcelona, Spain. An acclaimed Level II National Researcher (SNI), he actively contributes to global critical care advancements, serving on the Task Force of Mass Critical Care for the American College of Chest Physicians.
Panel Discussion 3
Panel Discussion 3:
Global Smart Hospital Alliance: Role, Priorities, and Expectations Session
Description: This session will introduce the vision, mission, governance structure, and current activities of the Global Smart Hospital Alliance (GSHA). It will clarify how the Alliance connects hospitals, academic institutions, industry partners, governments, and international organisations to advance knowledge sharing, institutional collaboration, and practical healthcare innovation.
Moderator: moderators will introduce about SHA (AZK) and request-based reorganizing the structure(JKK), each 5 mins
Ali Zamir Khan, Chairman of GSHA, Senior consultant of Blackpool Hospital, UK.
Prof. Ali Zamir Khan is a globally renowned thoracic surgeon with over 30 years of clinical expertise pioneering minimally invasive and robotic chest surgery. He currently serves as a Consultant Thoracic Surgeon at Blackpool Victoria Hospital in the United Kingdom, having previously held prestigious positions including Director of Robotic Surgery at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital in London and Chief of Minimally Invasive and Robotic Thoracic Surgery at Medanta – The Medicity in India.
A leading authority in his field, Prof. Khan specializes in advanced robotic thoracic oncology, video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), and complex procedures for inflammatory lung diseases. He holds an MBBS, MS, and MBA, and is a Fellow of both the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS Glasgow) and the European Board of Cardiothoracic Surgeons (FEBTS). An active researcher and educator, he has published over 100 papers and is the author of the Operative Manual of Robotic Thoracic Surgery.
Jong Kap Kim, CEO, Global Digital Innovation Network, Korea.
JongKap Kim is the President and CEO of the Global Digital Innovation Network (GDIN), South Korea's premier global startup accelerator under the Ministry of Science and ICT. A veteran serial entrepreneur and tech strategist with over two decades of international experience, Kim has spearheaded GDIN’s evolution from the Born2Global Centre into an independent foundation. Under his leadership, the organization has successfully expanded South Korea’s tech ecosystem by forging strategic cross-border partnerships, driving AI integration, and establishing robust market-entry hubs across Europe, Central Asia, and the Americas to scale deep-tech startups globally.
Introducer;
Sokjin Chang, secretary general of SHA
Sokjin Chang is Managing Director of Global Digital Innovation Network (former Born2Global Centre), with the objectives of accelerating innovative tech companies and promoting global collaboration and expansion. Previously, he worked in the Korean government, including the Ministry of Planning and Budget, Ministry of Economy and Finance, and Presidential Council on National Competitiveness. He also served as the Advisor to the Chairman of Korea Development Bank, and has experience in global investment fund management. He holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Korea and received an Honorary Doctorate from Centro Universitário Filadélfia in Brazil.
Panelists: panelists will talk about the importance of SHA, demands and expectations from developing countries, social responsibility and contribution of global top level hospitals, experience of global collaboration.
Carlos Gomez-Restrepo, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Colombia
Dr. Carlos Gómez-Restrepo is a prominent Colombian psychiatrist, clinical epidemiologist, and academic leader who serves as the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá. With an MSc in Clinical Epidemiology from the University of Pennsylvania and a PhD in Public Health, his research focuses heavily on mental health systems, affective disorders, and suicide prevention. Beyond his institutional leadership, he acts as President of the Latin American Network of Clinical Epidemiology (LatinCLEN) and serves on Colombia’s National Council for Accreditation (CNA) driving regional excellence in medical education and public health policy.
Akif Turna, Istanbul University Hospital, Turkiye.
Dr. Akif Turna became a thoracic surgeon in 1999. He obtained his Ph.D. in Immunology in 2003. In 2013, he assumed the position of Professor of Thoracic Surgery at Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa. His research interests encompass minimally invasive thoracic surgery, with a particular focus on uniportal Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) and Uniportal Robotic-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (RATS) resections, surgery for emphysema, studies for anti-tumor immunology, and the molecular biology of cancer.
He is the author of over 250 articles and book chapters. Dr. Turna currently holds editorial positions as an associate editor of Asian Cardiovascular and Thoracic Annals and Eurasian Journal of Pulmonology. He also serves as the managing editor of Turkish Journal of Immunology.
Aya Maung Maung, NUHS, Singapore
Dr. Maung is a senior consultant at the Division of Congenital Cardiac Surgery in the Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery in National University Hospital, Singapore.
He has been an active member of the Global Smart Hospital Alliance (GSHA), Health-on-Cloud since its inception. He has participated and led conferences organized by GSHA in Singapore. He is also a key member of setting up Smart Operating Theatre equipped with live transmissions capabilities in National University Hospital (NUH), Singapore and participated in live transmissions from NUH, Singapore.
Hiu Ping Liu, former CEO of BenQ Hospital, China
Professor Liu Hui-Ping graduated from Taiwan Medical University (Taiwan) in 1986 and has dedicated over three decades to advancing thoracic surgery. He served at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University as thoracic surgeon, department director, professor, and Deputy Superintendent. In 2009, he was invited to Nanjing BenQ medical center and later led major minimally invasive lung cancer centers in China and Taiwan. From 2022–2025, he served as President and CEO of University Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) Hospital, Malaysia. Currently, he is Academic Leader of the National Key Discipline of Thoracic Surgery at Nanjing BenQ Hospital.
Professor Liu is internationally recognized for pioneering minimally invasive video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). The “Chang Gung Experience” has become a global benchmark in thoracic surgery. He has published extensively in SCI journals, performed live surgical demonstrations worldwide, and contributed significantly to international collaboration in thoracic surgery. In 2005, he co-founded the International Chinese Society of Thoracic Surgery (ICSTS), establishing a global platform for Chinese thoracic surgeons.
Eok Sung Park, Paju Medical Centre, Korea
Dr. Eok Sung Park is a highly accomplished South Korean thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon currently serving as Chief Physician at the Emergency Medical Center of the Gyeonggi Provincial Medical Center Paju Hospital. Alongside his clinical career, Dr. Park is an Adjunct Professor at Kosin University College of Medicine, Vice President of the Korean Hospital Doctors Association, and an executive at the global healthcare platform HealthOnCloud.Renowned for his commitment to public health education, he authored the popular Easy Fun Happy medical textbook series on Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology, and Pharmacology. He also co-authored the book 1 Minute Breathing Changes a Child's Brain and hosts a popular medical education YouTube channel.
PARALLEL ROUND TABLE DISCUSSIONS 1:
Session Description: These parallel business meetings will bring together regional experts, healthcare leaders, and institutional representatives to develop focused collaborative networks and centres of excellence. Separate rooms will allow each group to define shared priorities, governance arrangements, and an actionable programme of work.
Asian Thoracic Academy (ATA) Business Meeting
The Asian Thoracic Academy Business Meeting will focus on multi-institutional study for management of GGO, operational planning of the tumor board, update of the Asian Board of Thoracic Surgery and expansion to LATAm and African countries, update of ATEP activities, and ATA finance.
Moderator;
Antonio Ramos, CEO, De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute, Philippines
Dr. Antonio B. Ramos, is a distinguished cardiothoracic surgeon based in Manila, Philippines, recognized for his pioneering work in minimally invasive chest surgeries, particularly Single-Port Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS). An alumnus of UERMMMC and a former fellow at Stanford University Medical Center, he holds active practices at top institutions, including the Lung Center of the Philippines and St. Luke’s Medical Center. Dr. Ramos is a dedicated leader in medical education and administration, currently serving as the President of De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute and Chair of the Asian Board of Thoracic Surgery.
ATA Participants;
Antonio Ramos, CEO, De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute, Philippines
Dr. Antonio B. Ramos, is a distinguished cardiothoracic surgeon based in Manila, Philippines, recognized for his pioneering work in minimally invasive chest surgeries, particularly Single-Port Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS). An alumnus of UERMMMC and a former fellow at Stanford University Medical Center, he holds active practices at top institutions, including the Lung Center of the Philippines and St. Luke’s Medical Center. Dr. Ramos is a dedicated leader in medical education and administration, currently serving as the President of De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute and Chair of the Asian Board of Thoracic Surgery.
Ali Zamir Khan, Chairman of GSHA, Senior consultant of Blackpool Hospital, UK.
Prof. Ali Zamir Khan is a globally renowned thoracic surgeon with over 30 years of clinical expertise pioneering minimally invasive and robotic chest surgery. He currently serves as a Consultant Thoracic Surgeon at Blackpool Victoria Hospital in the United Kingdom, having previously held prestigious positions including Director of Robotic Surgery at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital in London and Chief of Minimally Invasive and Robotic Thoracic Surgery at Medanta – The Medicity in India.
A leading authority in his field, Prof. Khan specializes in advanced robotic thoracic oncology, video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), and complex procedures for inflammatory lung diseases. He holds an MBBS, MS, and MBA, and is a Fellow of both the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS Glasgow) and the European Board of Cardiothoracic Surgeons (FEBTS). An active researcher and educator, he has published over 100 papers and is the author of the Operative Manual of Robotic Thoracic Surgery.
Akif Turna, Istanbul University Hospital, Turkiye.
Dr. Akif Turna became a thoracic surgeon in 1999. He obtained his Ph.D. in Immunology in 2003. In 2013, he assumed the position of Professor of Thoracic Surgery at Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa. His research interests encompass minimally invasive thoracic surgery, with a particular focus on uniportal Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) and Uniportal Robotic-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (RATS) resections, surgery for emphysema, studies for anti-tumor immunology, and the molecular biology of cancer.
He is the author of over 250 articles and book chapters. Dr. Turna currently holds editorial positions as an associate editor of Asian Cardiovascular and Thoracic Annals and Eurasian Journal of Pulmonology. He also serves as the managing editor of Turkish Journal of Immunology.
Hiu Ping Liu, former CEO of BenQ Hospital, China
Professor Liu Hui-Ping graduated from Taiwan Medical University (Taiwan) in 1986 and has dedicated over three decades to advancing thoracic surgery. He served at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University as thoracic surgeon, department director, professor, and Deputy Superintendent. In 2009, he was invited to Nanjing BenQ medical center and later led major minimally invasive lung cancer centers in China and Taiwan. From 2022–2025, he served as President and CEO of University Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) Hospital, Malaysia. Currently, he is Academic Leader of the National Key Discipline of Thoracic Surgery at Nanjing BenQ Hospital.
Professor Liu is internationally recognized for pioneering minimally invasive video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). The “Chang Gung Experience” has become a global benchmark in thoracic surgery. He has published extensively in SCI journals, performed live surgical demonstrations worldwide, and contributed significantly to international collaboration in thoracic surgery. In 2005, he co-founded the International Chinese Society of Thoracic Surgery (ICSTS), establishing a global platform for Chinese thoracic surgeons.
Alan Sihoe, Hong Kong Adventist Hospital, Hong Kong
Dr Alan D. L. Sihoe is an internationally recognized cardiothoracic surgeon based in Hong Kong, specializing in minimally invasive thoracic surgery, particularly uniportal and needlescopic video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). A graduate of the University of Cambridge, he previously served as Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Hong Kong and Chief of Thoracic Surgery at the University of Hong Kong–Shenzhen Hospital. Dr Sihoe has authored over 200 academic publications and received numerous international awards, including the 2023 IASLC Tsuguo Naruke Lectureship Award. He has held prominent editorial and leadership positions in international cardiothoracic surgical societies.
Sukki Cho, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Korea
Dr. Sukki Cho is a world-renowned thoracic surgeon and Professor at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital (SNUBH) in South Korea. With nearly three decades of experience, he specializes in advanced surgical thoracic oncology, including lung, esophageal, and mediastinal cancers. A pioneer in minimally invasive techniques, Dr. Cho has performed over 3,000 procedures using single-port Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS) and robotic systems. His groundbreaking research on early-stage lung cancer and circulating tumor cells is widely published. Fluent in English and Korean, Dr. Cho actively collaborates globally, offering expert surgical consultations and second opinions to international patients.
Hyeong Ryul Kim, Asan Medical Centre, Korea
Dr. Hyeong-Ryul Kim, is a premier, board-certified thoracic surgeon in South Korea, serving as a Professor at the University of Ulsan College of Medicine and practicing at Asan Medical Center in Seoul. With a clinical career spanning over 5,000 surgeries, he specializes in thoracic oncology, including lung, esophageal, and mediastinal cancers, alongside advanced video-assisted (VATS) and robotic surgeries. An alumnus of Seoul National University, Dr. Kim has published over 180 peer-reviewed papers. Regionally, he shapes the field as the Co-Chair of Education for the Asian Thoracic Academy, leading surgical training across Asia.
Naveed Z Alam, Professor, University of Melbourne, Australia
Mr. Naveed Z. Alam is a prominent consultant thoracic surgeon based in Melbourne and a Senior Lecturer at the University of Melbourne. Following his medical degree and surgical residency in Canada, he completed advanced thoracic fellowships at the National Cancer Institute of Canada and the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York.
Since 2005, Mr. Alam has maintained an active clinical practice across major hospitals including St Vincent’s Health and Epworth Richmond, specializing in thoracic oncology, slipping rib syndrome, and minimally invasive robotic and video-assisted (VATS) surgeries. A dedicated educator, he helps train the next generation of surgeons globally through his leadership roles within the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and the Asian Thoracoscopic Education Platform.
Soon Sing Yang, Sarawak Heart Centre, Malaysia
Professor Soon is Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon at Sarawak Heart Centre and Adjunct Professor at University Malaya. He holds leadership positions in International Societies, being Secretary General of Asia Thoracic Academy and Chair of SEATS (South East Asian Thoracic Society) School of Thoracic Surgery. Prot Soon pioneered and developed Malaysia's first dedicated Lung Cancer Registry. He is an investigator/co-investigator in multiple randomised phase 2/3 trials. Prof Soon is passionate about education, mentoring and proctoring young cardiothoracic surgeons and has organised conferences as well as educational courses for skills & specialty advancement.
ations, and professional education, sharing his expertise with colleagues worldwide.
Cardiac Center of Excellence Business Meeting
The Cardiac Center of Excellence Business meeting will focus on educational content for complicated congenital cardiac surgery, creating ECMO educational course and simulation model, cardiology global knowledge sharing.
Moderator;
Laszlo Kiraly(SGP)
Professor Laszlo Kiraly is the Head of Department of CTVS and Group Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery. He is a faculty member of National University of Singapore and Professor at Semmelweis University in Budapest.
He served as Chair of Congenital and Pediatric Cardiac Surgery/Intensive Care Unit at the National Pediatric Centre in Budapest. Next, he founded and headed the national center for pediatric cardiac surgery in Abu Dhabi, which became a recognized “Centre of Excellence” in the UAE. In Singapore, he is responsible for developing National University Heart Centre NUHCS CTVS into a regional “Centre of Excellence”.
COE Participants;
Young Nam Youn, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Korea
Dr. Young-Nam Youn is a distinguished Professor of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery at Yonsei University College of Medicine and a leading attending surgeon at Severance Cardiovascular Hospital in Seoul, South Korea. Specializing in high-complexity cardiac interventions, Dr. Youn is an expert in Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass (OPCAB), aortic aneurysm repairs, and complex valvular surgeries.As a prominent clinical researcher, he has authored nearly a hundred peer-reviewed publications focused on maximizing post-operative survival and advancing minimally invasive surgical techniques. Dr. Youn remains a critical contributor to global cardiovascular advancements and academic training at Yonsei University.
Teodoro Kofidis, Professor of NUHS, Singapore. Director of National Heart Center, Greece.
Professor Theodoros Kofidis is a distinguished senior cardiothoracic surgeon with extensive expertise in complex cardiac and aortic surgery, minimally invasive cardiac procedures, and advanced surgical technologies. He has held senior academic and clinical appointments at leading medical institutions and has contributed extensively to medical education, research, and the advancement of cardiovascular care.
Professor Kofidis has a particular interest in innovation and the integration of emerging technologies into clinical practice, with a focus on improving surgical outcomes and patient care. He is actively involved in international conferences, academic collaborations, and professional education, sharing his expertise with colleagues worldwide.
Aya Maung Maung, NUHS, Singapore
Dr. Maung is a senior consultant at the Division of Congenital Cardiac Surgery in the Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery in National University Hospital, Singapore.He has been an active member of the Global Smart Hospital Alliance (GSHA), Health-on-Cloud since its inception. He has participated and led conferences organized by GSHA in Singapore. He is also a key member of setting up Smart Operating Theatre equipped with live transmissions capabilities in National University Hospital (NUH), Singapore and participated in live transmissions from NUH, Singapore.
Jae Seung Jung, Korea University Anam Hospital
Dr. Jae Seung Jung is a distinguished Professor and Cardiac Surgeon in the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery at Korea University Anam Hospital in Seoul.Recognized as a leading authority in advanced mechanical circulatory support, Dr. Jung specializes in heart transplantation, Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVAD), and Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO). His clinical expertise also encompasses complex aortic surgeries, heart valve repairs, and arrhythmia treatments.An accomplished researcher and educator at Korea University College of Medicine, his contributions to critical care and public health earned him a prestigious commendation from the South Korean Minister of Food and Drug Safety.
Khashchuluun Batmunkh (Mongolia)
Dr. Khashchuluun Batmunkh is a prominent Mongolian medical researcher and surgeon specializing in thoracic and cardiovascular surgery. Recognized for pioneering clinical advancements in Mongolia, his work focuses heavily on evaluating and standardizing Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) to improve postoperative quality of life.An active academic collaborator, Dr. Batmunkh has published clinical research alongside global institutions like Seoul National University Bundang Hospital and serves as a Global Honorary Ambassador for the Ewha Womans University Medical Center, where he acts as a key liaison driving international medical networking and healthcare development between South Korea and Mongolia.
Dr. Jun Sung Kim is a renowned Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital (SNUBH) in South Korea. With over 17 years of specialized experience, Dr. Kim is an expert in advanced adult cardiac care, including coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and complex valve replacements.A pioneer in mechanical circulatory support, he specializes in life-saving interventions utilizing ECMO and Ventricular Assist Devices (VAD). Dr. Kim established a landmark cardiac transplantation program in 2013 and remains an active member of the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT), contributing extensively to peer-reviewed cardiovascular research.
Jun Sung Kim
