“I hope that my whole fortune contributes to the growth of nursing in Korea.”

On August 6, former Minister of Health and Welfare and Yonsei Professor Emeritus Kim Mo-im donated 2.6 billion won, the remains of her life savings, to the Yonsei University Health System (YUHS).  Joining Professor Kim at the donation ceremony were Dr. Chung Nam-sik, YUHS President, Professor Kim Sun-ah, Dean of the College of Nursing, and Professor Emeritus Kim Ui-suk. Because Professor Kim Mo-im suffers from Parkinsonism, her speech was read by Professor Kim Ui-suk; in it, she said: “The reason for my donation is to support younger students because the development of nursing is directly linked to national health.  I hope this donation serves to provide better nursing services in Korea.” She also requested that her donation be used to promote global leadership among nursing students and to improve nursing policy.  

YUHS President Chung said: “I appreciate how meaningful this donation is, as it represents her entire fortune gained through a lifetime of thrift and self-sacrifice.  I promise to do my utmost to continue the development of nursing and shape a new medical culture.” Nursing Dean Kim stated that the donation, following Professor Kim’s wishes, will be used to establish an international research institute dedicated to revolutionizing the field of nursing through a focus on research and policy development. Prior to this donation, Professor Kim had already given 10 billion won to the College of Nursing and Severance Hospital; as a result, many aspiring nurses at the College of Nursing are supported by the “Kim Mo-im Nursing Development Fund.”

After graduating from Yonsei in 1959, Professor Kim received a master’s degree in Health Science from the University of Hawaii and a Ph.D. in Health Science at Johns Hopkins University. A Yonsei faculty member for four decades, she served as dean of both the College of Nursing and the Graduate School of Public Health.