Chapter 71
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 71
Chapter Title: Hospital Partnership and Ultrasound Upgrade
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71
The only link between me and Sowon General Hospital was their department head, Park Younggil.
I dug through my call logs and dialed him directly.
"An MOU proposal came via fax—what the hell is this?"
"You told me not to call, so I sent it officially."
His voice was seething with irritation.
Is that the same thing? You should've at least mentioned it first!
"It's not a big deal, even if it's an MOU. It just means we'll occasionally refer patients your way and ask you to take good care of them. If you need tests or transfers for surgery, we can prioritize them too."
Park Younggil began explaining.
Hmm... so there's nothing else I need to do?
"We have existing partnerships with other Korean medicine hospitals, but sending patients to you posed some system issues, so that's why we reached out."
"Sending patients..."
"We'll cross paths now and then, right? Not my mom, but cases like Yoon Hanbyeol's. It'd be reassuring if you handled them."
Interesting.
A few days ago, when he called asking how I treated her, I thought he was grilling me.
And now this complete about-face?
"Alright, sure. I'll review it positively. Of course I'd help with patients who need it."
"Yes. Please coordinate the details with our administrative director. As a fee-for-service doc, I'm not fully in the loop."
"Got it. Take care."
A mere fee-for-service doctor proposing something like this?
Our clinic can manage with five staff, but a general hospital has hundreds, right? Dozens of doctors alone?
After clinic hours, I called the contact on the fax, and my questions cleared up fast.
- Thank you for calling!
The administrative director answered.
So Park Younggil's the top surgeon with the most procedures and revenue among dozens of docs—an elite among elites?
- Director Park made the request, so of course we'd honor it! More partner hospitals benefit us too!
I'd looked it up: affiliations often involve money.
Hospitals get patient subsidies for referring post-op rehab and long-term care cases.
Or Korean medicine clinics pay for imaging conveniences or prestigious titles like "XX University Hospital Affiliate."
But Sowon made no financial demands.
They approached us first, so naturally.
'No downsides at all, for sure.'
I could refer only the truly needy patients.
Theirs? Treat them diligently, done.
I reviewed the proposal thoroughly and tweaked the details.
Things moved quickly.
A few days later.
I visited Sowon General Hospital.
They'd asked for two or three people, so Hwang Sanghun and Seo Ina came along.
"Hahaha, thank you for coming. Let's share expertise, collaborate, and do our best for optimal patient care."
They rolled out the red carpet: not just the admin director, but the hospital director, medical director, and nursing director too.
"Yes, looking forward to working together."
A banner in the lobby announced the signing ceremony.
A few reporters were there.
Handshake with the director—click.
All seven of us smiling—click.
"Thank you for coming."
Short event over, we ate the meal Park Younggil treated us to.
"This is huge, Director! How'd you land such a partnership?"
"Right? Not just great treatments—you're steadily scaling up like you said."
"Hahaha, it just happened. No biggie."
Heading home, I scratched my head at Seo Ina and Hwang Sanghun's praise.
Is it that impressive? Seems so.
Explains why some pay for partnerships.
"Thanks for coming along, you two. Didn't expect photos—cool with it?"
"I'm thrilled, actually. Can I vlog it on YouTube?"
"Why not?"
"Fine by me. Dad would love seeing it."
Good—they didn't mind their faces in the news.
A few days later, we saw the photos.
[Sowon General Hospital - Seongsu Clinic Partnership Signing Ceremony]
Internet article with that headline.
Their site listed our clinic among partners: university hospitals, nursing homes, Korean medicine spots.
A bit awkward sandwiched in there?
"Eh, we'll grow into it!"
I posted about it on the blog and added a framed photo in the treatment room.
"Yeowon, got something to discuss—free after clinic?"
Hwang Sanghun requested a meeting.
It'd been just over three months since I impulsively hired him.
What is it?
...Quitting?
Couldn't help thinking that.
When he fought with family and came from Busan, his self-esteem was rock bottom. He signed without knowing his worth.
But three months in, probation's over.
He'd adapted fast—not my level, but building a patient base.
Some grannies waited daily for him; others came via referrals, requesting him specifically.
Yeah, he'd realized his value.
'Please not quitting. Was six days a week too much?'
No signs so far.
What else would prompt a meeting?
'No. Think positive. Maybe adjusting workdays!'
Spending three days at Jungwon Online was overkill. Cut to two?
We could share busy days; I'd do five.
Sichuan Queens might miss him, but better than nothing, right?
Please, anything but quitting! For everyone's sake!
Heart pounding, I waited out closing.
"Yeowon, mind adding ultrasound to our diagnostics?"
Hwang Sanghun's pitch was totally different.
First, relief—no resignation.
"Ultrasound?"
"Yeah. You know the Supreme Court ruling, right?"
Of course.
Who doesn't? Even without peer chats, forums buzzed; association texted directly.
Ultrasound use by Korean docs was contentious legally.
Main view: diagnostic use violated medical law, so some got "research consent" forms.
But recent Supreme Court ruled diagnostic tools legal for us.
Clinics adding them rapidly now.
"Hmm... if needed, sure."
I wasn't fussed.
No need for imaging when qi flow tells me plenty.
Treated sans machines for twenty years—no draw.
Plus, no budget.
But sensing ligaments via intuition? Just me.
Can't teach Hwang; can't convey to patients.
'Better get one before it's standard.'
Maybe one in ten local clinics now; in years, half?
A recent patient said their Seoul clinic did bloodwork and ultrasound.
Must hop on the paradigm shift.
Or get left behind.
Vice Director Ace wants one? Perfect chance to learn together.
"How much? I'll check. And courses."
Machines affordable now—invest in clinic growth.
Game's getting stale anyway!
"Ah, already bought it. Took a course on my break before coming. Hospital showed ultrasounds in explanations—frustrating without one."
Wait—already?
Wasn't asking him to buy!
"Practicing at home? Tried on patients?"
"Did tons as intern. Case studies with profs and residents."
Mouth agape.
Big-hospital vets different? Korea U affiliate Korean med wing cutting-edge!
Chumi-young said chuna training was casual—no ultrasound thought.
Our class? Barely.
I maxed what was given, but twenty-year-old lessons? Useless clinically.
Planned extra courses and practice.
"...Ready for diagnostics now?"
"Abdomen still iffy. Musculoskeletal? Mostly good."
Jackpot!
SSR vice director legit?
"Really? No reason not to!"
"Needs space, time per scan—might back up patients. Just checking. I'll bring it if okay?"
"Obviously! Teach me when free!"
I latched onto Hwang Sanghun, begging lessons.
Expert next door! Learn in-house!
Thought I snagged undervalued talent—turns out, untapped potential!
"Didn't mean burdening you. Fine if just me occasionally."
"No. If adding, do right. Post 'In-house Ultrasound' everywhere—I need it too!"
Inconsistent use confuses.
My patient requests scan, pass to him? Awkward.
Learn properly now.
"Teaching's easy, but..."
He trailed off.
Get it.
No breather during shifts; weekends off-putting.
"Right. Oppa, how about five days starting next month?"
"Five? ...Sales dipping?"
Ultrasound excitement faded from his face.
"No! You're crushing it! Six days plus teaching time? Too much. Salary same—call it lecture fee. Thoughts?"
"Full seven-day ops mean no mutual off-days anyway?"
"Still taxing."
"I'm good. Love working. Quiet evenings or post-close if you're free—I'll teach."
Aaah, Hwang Sanghun—top slave, er, vice director.
Six days plus extra time!
Doubting his loyalty? Shame!
"That'd be amazing!"
Can't refuse such generosity.
Snapped it up.
"Glad to help somehow. After all you've done."
Done?
Growing the clinic?
Or gym membership to exploit more?
...Anyway, win-win. Satisfied both.
We revamped diagnostics.
Next day, Hwang hauled in a 20-million-won medical ultrasound.
Not all that price—high-end no, but portable iPad-linked used? Quarter cost!
"Bought this? When?"
Intern days? Parental support?
Yeah.
He's broke now, but rich fam.
"Ah, installment after second paycheck."
Bingo—worst case.
First went to deposit; second to installments...
Months' salary dumped. World?
'Months for ultrasound? Sane?!'
Ultrasound Console FLEX.
How does this exist?
"Haha, too bulky? Where?"
Ignore my shock.
Hwang installed, beaming happily.
'Fine. If you're happy!'
Me too.
Fun learning.
Installments? No quit worries!