USC Interim President Beong-Soo Kim shares his music at USC Norris Cancer Hospital. (Photo/Ricardo Carrasco III)
The ethereal sounds of Bach’s first cello suite drifted through the halls of USC Norris Cancer Hospital as staff and patients were treated to a musical performance by an accomplished cellist who just happens to be the new USC interim president.
Interim President Beong-Soo Kim’s concert was one of many highlights during Kim’s July 2 visit to the health sciences campus, just a day after his position became effective on July 1.
Kim spent the day meeting with patients, physicians, nurses, faculty and leaders across Keck Medicine of USC, the Keck School of Medicine of USC, the USC Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, the USC Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, the USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy and the USC Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy.
Along the way, he met an award-winning Keck Hospital of USC cafeteria chef, shop-talked music with patients at the cancer hospital, received a primer on craniofacial (skull and face) molecular biology and toured several units of Keck Hospital of USC.
“This is my second day on the job, and I am here because the health system is such an important part of USC and I wanted to learn more about the excellent work you are doing,” Kim told a group of nurses as he rounded the hospital’s urology unit.
He said that even though he had just met them, he was impressed by their sense of solidarity. “You all work together, like a family. And the Trojan family also supports you.”
During a “meet and greet” with leaders from Keck Medical Center of USC, Kim emphasized the critical role the health sciences schools and health system play at the university.
Kim meets Keck Medical Center of USC’s award-winning Executive Chef Luis Santos. (Photo/Ricardo Carrasco III)
“Your commitment to research, to impacting lives and making a difference in the world is the mission of the entire university,” he said. “You lead the way with your compassion, inquisitiveness, and open communication, all of which I have witnessed today.”
Kim noted that due to federal cuts in research, a rapidly changing health care environment and financial stressors at USC as well as all universities, the months ahead will be challenging.
“However, now is also the time to rethink how we operate and lean into new opportunities that will positively transform our university and set us up for future success,” he said.
Kim’s visit was very well-received on campus. “He greeted everyone he met with grace, humor and appreciation and made our staff feel valued,” said Marty Sargeant, CEO of the medical center.
Kim, the son of Korean immigrants who both attended graduate school at USC, is the first Asian American to lead the university. He has played the cello since he was five, and during COVID-19, he and his wife, Bonnie Wongtrakool, performed cello “porch concerts” for their neighbors.
— Alison Rainey