Participation in the 2026 KSES – SOFEC Exchange Travelling Fellowship program

Korean Shoulder Traveling Fellowship, March 26–April 11, 2026: An Unforgettable Journey

The French Shoulder and Elbow Society — SoFEC — and the French Arthroscopy Society — SFA — invited me to take part in the Korean Shoulder Traveling Fellowship as a “godfather”. I had the privilege of selecting two young surgeons from among several outstanding candidates: Dr Victor Housset, a shoulder surgeon in Paris and an active member of SoFEC alongside its President, Dr Geoffroy Nourissat; and Dr Yoann Dalmas, a surgeon in Albi, deeply involved in the journal Orthopaedics & Traumatology: Surgery & Research and in the SFA alongside its President, Dr Nicolas Bonnevialle.

For Yoann, Victor, and myself, this was our first visit to Korea. The discovery was complete, both scientifically and personally.

Our journey began in Busan with the annual KSES congress. From the very first day, we were immersed in the Korean shoulder and elbow surgical community, where we had the pleasure of meeting and reconnecting with many renowned international speakers. The scientific presentations, lectures, and discussions were of remarkable quality. The President of the KSES Pr Hyun-Seok Song, the chairman of international cooperation committee Pr Kyoung-Hwan Koh and the secretary general Pr Yong-Beaom Lee offered us a warm and prestigious welcome, and the Society kindly gave us the opportunity to present our work and moderate scientific sessions. Our hospital visits began in Busan with Professor Kim Cheol-Hong and Professor Noh Young-Min at Dong-A University Hospital. We then continued to Daegu, where we met Professor Cho Cheol-Hyun at Keimyung University Hospital, Professor Yoon Jong-Pil at Kyungpook National University Hospital, and Pr Choi in an institution dedicated to shoulder surgery, the “Shoulder Camp”. Pr Choi had known Dr Gilles Walch, our mentor and one of the leading figures of the French school of shoulder surgery, who also comes from my hometown, Lyon.

We then travelled to Seoul on the famous KTX train, where we visited Professor Shin Sang-Jin at Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital and Professor Oh Joo-Han at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital. We also made a visit to Dr Baek Chang-Hee’s clinic in Yeosu before returning to Seoul to meet Professor Park Jin-Young at Neon Orthopaedic Clinic. Our fellowship concluded with visits to Professor Yoo Jae-Chul at Samsung Medical Center, Professor Kim Yang-Soo at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, and Professor Lee Yong-Geol at Myongji Hospital.

We are deeply grateful to all our hosts, who welcomed us so generously every day. They devoted time to us in the operating room, time for scientific discussions, and time to build genuine friendship. Each day, we were invited to share convivial moments around Korean meals, either in restaurants or in private homes. Korean cuisine perfectly reflected what we experienced throughout our stay in Korea: intense, diverse, generous, refined, and deeply rooted in the spirit of sharing. The weather was pleasant, the cherry blossoms were in full bloom, and the whole country seemed to be celebrating spring.

We learned a great deal during this fellowship, far more than can be summarized in just a few lines. The technical level of surgery was exceptionally high. Biological approaches were clearly integrated into surgical practice and contributed to improving patient care. The quality and organization of data collection were truly outstanding.

Strong human bonds were created during this journey — with our Korean colleagues, and also between Yoann, Victor, and myself. This fellowship marks the beginning of sincere friendships and scientific collaborations. We will be delighted to welcome a Korean delegation to France in 2027, the country of Michel Latarjet and Paul Grammont.

Jerome Garret
Clinique du Parc, Lyon, France