Myong Lee, former co-founder of Clever Care, has been named the new CEO of Seoul Medical Group (SMG), the leading Independent Practice Association (IPA) for the Korean American community.
Seoul Medical Group and healthcare system company Ascend Partners announced on June 12 that Lee, the co-founder and former CEO of Clever Care, has been appointed as the new CEO of Seoul Medical Group, effective June 1. Seoul Medical Group and Ascend Partners emphasized that Lee’s appointment will further solidify the organization’s role as a leading provider of healthcare services to the Korean-American community.
Lee has more than 17 years of experience in the healthcare sector. During his career, he has advocated for optimized, personalized healthcare and understanding the cultural background of clients. As a professional executive, Lee will oversee the operations of Seoul Medical Group and its medical management company AMM.
“I will provide a wide range of support for Seoul Medical Group to offer high-quality medical services that consider the cultural characteristics of patients and clients,” he said.
Lee is known for his work as the co-founder and CEO of Clever Care, where he practiced his belief that “everyone should be able to get the proper insurance benefits without difficulty.” As a result, Clever Care has grown into a leading Medicare Advantage health plan, achieving an annual growth rate of 112% as of January 1, 2024.
“We are delighted to welcome Myong Lee, who fits our vision and values of meeting the expectations of both providers and patients,” said Dr. Richard Park, Chairman of Seoul Medical Group’s Board of Directors and Co-Founder of Ascend Partners. “He has the vision and cultural understanding needed to lead the transformation of Seoul Medical Group (SMG) with innovation, understanding, and care.”
As a second-generation Korean American, Lee grew up watching his parents’ generation struggle to access healthcare and get the help they needed due to language barriers.
“With the belief that people should get the healthcare they deserve, I wanted to help everyone have access to quality healthcare by establishing a culturally tailored Clever Care,” said Lee. “I will continue to work with like-minded individuals in Seoul Medical Group to provide quality healthcare to marginalized communities.”
Seoul Medical Group was founded in 1993 and is celebrating its 31st anniversary. It has built an IPA led by Korean-American doctors and has 4,800 primary care physicians and specialists across the United States, including Southern California. Ascend Partners, which acquired Seoul Medical Group last year, was co-founded by global healthcare leader In Seon Hwang and former CityMD founder and CEO Richard Park. Ascend Partners provides capital, IT, and medical technology to help physicians provide excellent care to patients and their families.
BY HYOUNGJAE KIM, HOONSIK WOO [kim.ian@koreadaily.com]
