Dr. Kim Yoo-geun (American name: Tom Kim), a Korean doctor who provided free medical treatment to low-income residents without medical insurance in Knoxville, Tennessee, poses in front of his clinic. [Yonhap News]

Dr. Kim Yoo-geun (American name: Tom Kim), who for a long time provided free medical services in Knoxville, Tennessee, for the uninsured and low-income population, passed away on the 16th (local time) at the age of 81.

The Knoxville Korean Association and 'Kim Health Center' announced Dr. Kim's passing in a statement on the 18th, stating, "The deceased continuously provided free medical services for Americans and Korean compatriots, regardless of nationality, race, or circumstances."

Dr. Kim graduated from Yonsei University College of Medicine and came to the United States in 1961. He completed his residency and specialization programs at Ohio University and the University of Tennessee. After working as a hematologist-oncologist in Tennessee from 1981, he opened the 'Free Medical Clinic of America' in Knoxville in 1993 and began volunteering. Dr. Kim's free clinics expanded to four locations, and approximately 70,000 low-income individuals without medical insurance received medical benefits.

In recognition of his achievements, Dr. Kim received the Presidential Medal of Honor (awarded by the Korean government), the American Hero Award, and the FBI Community Leadership Award, among others. The free clinics he founded were renamed 'Kim Health Center' in 2023.

Dr. Kim also served as the president of the Knoxville Korean Association and, in 2005, established a memorial monument for Korean War veterans at the National Cemetery in Tennessee.

Knoxville, Tennessee Mayor Indya Kincannon mourned him, stating, "Dr. Kim's legacy of helping uninsured Tennessee residents receive care will continue for generations to come."

Dr. Kim Yoo-geun delivers remarks at the opening ceremony of his fourth free clinic in Oneida, Scott County, Tennessee, on August 24, 2011. [Yonhap News]