By Lori Sundeen Soderbergh

Dr. Keon Min ‘Minnie’ Park

When Dr. Keon Min Park was growing up in South Korea, she could not have known that one day she would move to Texas – twice.

Dr. Park (also known as “Minnie”) grew up around medicine. Her father is a vascular surgeon and her mother is an anesthesiologist in South Korea. As a teenager, she moved to Michigan to attend high school.

“It was hard to adjust to a new country with a different language, but the process made me stronger and more resilient,” said Dr. Park. Her high school science classes led her to apply at Rice University, where she studied biochemistry and cell biology.

“I conducted developmental biology research for three years to understand how a full organism grows from a single cell,” she said. “I became interested in regenerative and reconstructive medicine because of the creativity it involves and the meticulous nature of microsurgery.”

Three years of neuroscience and developmental biology research at SRI International and Stanford University gave her the additional experience she wanted before her medical education. She eventually selected a field that would give her the greatest opportunity to interact with patients over the long term.

 “Plastic and reconstructive surgery offers a unique opportunity within surgical specialties for continuity of care and long-term relationships with patients. Sharing their journey to recovery, whether through the reacquisition of hand function or the repair of craniofacial features in children, is greatly rewarding for me,” said Dr. Park.

While at UT Southwestern Medical School, she enjoyed serving as an officer for Operation Smile and for the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Student Interest Group. In 2014, Dr. Park organized an international medical service trip to Belize.

In honor of her dedication and compassion in the field, Dr. Park is the 2017 recipient of the Rohrich Family Excellence in Plastic Surgery Award, which recognizes a Medical Student who demonstrates superior dedication and achievement in research and clinical work. It was created to honor Catherine and Claude Rohrich – the parents of the Department’s founding Chair, Dr. Rod J. Rohrich.

Dr. Park said that receiving the award also honors her own parents.

“I am very grateful for the honor. The award values the same principles that my parents always emphasized as I grew up, the importance of hard work and endurance, and I am indebted to my parents for my achievements,” she said.

“Dr. Park truly epitomizes the work ethic, drive, and focus on excellence and the need to give back to those who are not so fortunate that was instilled into me each day by my parents while I grew up on a rural North Dakota farm/ranch,” said Dr. Rohrich, Clinical Professor of Plastic Surgery. “With her tremendous focus and work ethic, I envision Dr. Park becoming a true academic leader in plastic surgery and as well as someone who will give back in her community.”

Dr. Shai Rozen, Associate Professor of Plastic Surgery, said, “Despite initial difficulties in language and cultural differences, Dr. Park has demonstrated that the ability to overcome barriers, balanced with adaptability, pays off. I foresee that she will provide significant contributions to our field and give back both to science and to patients.”

After two stints in Texas, perhaps it’s not surprising that Dr. Park is heading to California for a second time, this time with her husband. Both will pursue postgraduate training at the University of California, San Francisco for their future medical careers.

“My goal is to become an academic plastic surgeon who will pioneer new paths in reconstructive and regenerative medicine through research and collaboration with other clinicians and scientists,” said Dr. Park. After her residency training at UCSF, she said she plans to pursue a fellowship in craniofacial or hand surgery.