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In memory of Hyung-Woo Kwak, MD, PhD
It is with immense sadness that the Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology announces the passing of Hyung-Woo Kwak, MD, PhD, president-elect of the Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology, vice president of the Asia-Pacific Vitreo-retina Society and council member of the Academy of the Asia-Pacific Professors of Ophthalmology, on Jan. 1. In his battle against liver cancer, Professor Kwak had never stopped for a moment leading the advancement of ophthalmology in Korea, the Asia-Pacific region and well beyond.
Professor Kwak received his early training in retina at Seoul National University and completed his research fellowship at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in Boston in the 1990s. He joined the Department of Ophthalmology of Kyung Hee University School of Medicine in 1986 and was a professor of ophthalmology for more than 30 years and served as chairman from 1997 to 2003. During his tenure, he trained innumerable ophthalmology fellows who now serve as professors in various university hospitals nationwide. Professor Kwak was also a prolific researcher with more than 160 peer-reviewed journal articles. With his pioneering work in retinal research, Professor Kwak was one of the key leaders in the development of the retina subspecialty in Korea, firmly placing Korea on the map of international ophthalmology with worldwide recognition. Professor Kwak was past president of many important professional societies in Korea, including the Korean Retina Society (2006 to 2008), the Korean Ophthalmological Society (2010 to 2012) and the Korea Uveitis Society (2013 to 2015).
Professor Kwak was an active player in the international ophthalmic community. Professor Kwak hosted the 27th APAO Congress 2012 in Busan, South Korea, as congress president, bringing together more than 4,000 delegates from all over the world. He was elected a vice president of APAO in 2012 to 2014 and then elected the president-elect of APAO in 2015. He had also served as a vice president of APVRS since 2013. Professor Kwak was instrumental in the success of the 3rd APVRS Congress in Busan and the successful bidding of the 12th APVRS Congress in Seoul in 2018. Professor Kwak participated actively in many international professional organizations, including the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Society of Retina Specialists, the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology and the European Society of Retina Specialists, as an international member. Professor Kwak had also been a member of the Macular Society since 2012.
Professor Kwak received the Arthur Lim Award from the APAO in 2013 in recognition of his exemplary leadership in the field of ophthalmology. With his dedication, Professor Kwak made substantial improvements in ophthalmic teaching and training in Korea and beyond.
Professor Kwak is survived by his wife Eun-Sook Youm and his children Jae-Young and Dong-Hoon.