NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue and National Medical Center of Korea Announce International Strategic Partnership to Enhance Infectious Disease Preparedness
The Memorandum of Understanding outlines information and resource sharing, as well as clinical and research collaboration on high-consequence infectious diseases and emergency response The agreement represents the Bellevue Special Pathogens Program’s first formalized international partnership
Apr 10, 2025
New York, NY — NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue today announced a new strategic partnership with the National Medical Center (NMC), an affiliated agency of the Ministry of Health and Welfare of the Republic of Korea, outlining an international agreement to enhance infectious disease preparedness at both institutions. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishes a structured collaboration between both institutions to address emerging infectious diseases effectively. The MoU outlines protocols for information and resource sharing, as well as clinical and research collaboration. The institutions will partner on special pathogen preparedness strategies, research publications, and clinical and operational protocols, as well as joint research projects on high-consequence infectious diseases, protocol development for emergency response, and shared expertise in patient management and containment strategies.
This MoU will be the Bellevue Hospital Special Pathogens Program’s first formalized international partnership.
“This historic collaboration between Bellevue Hospital and the National Medical Center represents a crucial step in enhancing global readiness for infectious disease threat,” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue Chief Executive Officer Dr. Eric Wei. “This high-level international collaboration between Bellevue and the major public health system in South Korea allows for all the expertise we have developed over the last decade to be shared with our global partners.”
“By establishing formal collaboration between Bellevue Hospital and the National Medical Center, both institutions can improve biocontainment capabilities, workforce training, and real-time outbreak response,” said Dr. Vikramjit Mukherjee, Director of the Special Pathogens Program and Director of Critical Care Services at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue. “Sharing best practices in clinical care and operational preparedness leads to improved public health outcomes in both regions. This joint initiative has the potential to influence national and global policies, ensuring a coordinated and evidence-based approach to pandemic response.”
“Controlling special pathogens requires global cooperation, trust, and shared expertise. This agreement between the National Medical Center and NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue marks a significant step in building a transnational response network for future infectious disease threats,” said Dr. So Hee Lee, Head Director of Bureau for Planning and Coordination of the National Medical Center, on behalf of Dr. Gil Joon Suh, President and CEO of the National Medical Center.
National Medical Center (NMC) serves as the center of public healthcare in Seoul, Korea, and has played a central role in the country’s national infectious disease response, including managing biocontainment units and leading pandemic response efforts. Samsung recently invested in increasing the medical center’s biocontainment unit capabilities. NMC entered a MoU with the World Health Organization in October 2024.
Bellevue Hospital, the oldest public hospital in the United States, has a long-standing legacy in infectious disease management and serves as a leader in the National Special Pathogen System. Bellevue Hospital’s Special Pathogens Program is the Level 1 National Special Pathogen System (NSPS) designated regional treatment center for HHS Region 2, which covers New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.
Staff from NMC visited Bellevue Hospital in 2023 to learn more about our Special Pathogens Program and the National Emerging Special Pathogen Training and Education Center (NETEC), where Bellevue serves as one of three leading institutions. NETEC’s approach to pandemic preparedness—through training, research, and operational planning—aligns with NMC’s commitment to advancing South Korea’s infectious disease response infrastructure.
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MEDIA CONTACT: BellevuePublicRelations@nychhc.org, 212-562-4516
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About National Medical Center
National Medical Center serves as the center of public healthcare in Seoul, Korea. Samsung recently invested in increasing the medical center’s biocontainment unit capabilities. NMC entered a memorandum of understanding with the World Health Organization in October 2024. For more information visit NMC.
About NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue
NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue is America’s oldest public hospital, established in 1736. Affiliated with the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, the 851-bed hospital is a major referral center for highly complex cases, with 6,000 employees including highly skilled, interdisciplinary clinical staff. The hospital is a Level 1 Trauma Center and annually it sees about 103,000 emergency room visits, and more than 520,000 outpatient visits. Clinical centers of excellence include: Emergency Medicine and Trauma Care; Cardiovascular Services; Bariatric Surgery; Designated Regional Perinatal Center and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit; Children’s Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program; and Cancer Services. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org/bellevue and follow us on Facebook and X (Twitter).
About NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest municipal health care system in the nation serving more than a million New Yorkers annually in more than 70 patient care locations across the city’s five boroughs. A robust network of outpatient, neighborhood-based primary and specialty care centers anchors care coordination with the system’s trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, home care agency, and MetroPlus health plan—all supported by 11 essential hospitals. Its diverse workforce of more than 43,000 employees is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
