20세기초 선교병원의 운영과 한국인 의사의 역할: 세브란스 졸업생을 중심으로

Abstract

This study examines the operation of mission hospitals and the role of Korean physicians in the early twentieth century, with particular attention to graduates of Severance Union Medical College. During a period marked by both competition and cooperation between mission hospitals and government-run medical institutions, this research identifies Severance graduates who worked in mission hospitals and analyzes the institutional relationships between these hospitals and Severance. Drawing on underutilized sources such as student records and school directories, this study traces the educational and professional trajectories of these graduates. These findings reveal that over half of the students were recommended by medical or missionary organizations, reflecting a strong connection between Severance and the mission field. Given the limited employment opportunities in public medical institutions at the time, mission hospitals became a primary career pathway for many Severance graduates. While some utilized these hospitals for clinical training, others—particularly those recommended by medical missionaries—returned to serve in them after graduation. Long-term service in mission hospitals, however, was relatively uncommon due to structural limitations, the internship system, and the challenges of entering private practice. Nonetheless, a small number of graduates remained at the same mission hospitals for extended periods, playing significant roles not only in hospital operations, but also in community healthcare and medical research. This study not only identifies the specific individuals and circumstances that led Severance graduates to work in mission hospitals, but also provides empirical evidence of the roles Korean physicians played in their operation.