USJC Healthcare and Advanced Medicine Affinity Group Hosts Dr. Kelly Kawaoka

Photo & text credit: Council Leader Dr. Kelly Kawaoka (Hawaii Permanente Medical Group)

On August 28, the Healthcare and Advanced Medicine affinity group held its third virtual presentation. This affinity group is open to all interested USJC members, including physicians, academics, policymakers, caregivers, patients and those who work to develop medical devices and digital health apps.

USJC Council Leader Dr. Kelly Kawaoka (Hawaii Permanente Medical Group) gave a presentation titled “Healthcare Force of the Future: Training the Next Generation of Japanese and American Physicians.” During the session, Dr. Kawaoka presented an overview of the American and Japanese medical education systems. This was followed by a discussion of her experiences in Japan as a first year medical student in Saga and her last year of residency in internal medicine and pediatrics in Okinawa. The session was moderated by fellow Council Leader Kirk Zeller (Nichibei Medtech Advisors, LLC).

The session was followed by questions from the attendees, which focused on a lively discussion around kampo (traditional Japanese medicine) as well as the medical-legal environment and the social status of physicians in Japan. 

If you are interested in joining the Healthcare and Advanced Medicine Affinity Group, please contact Senior Membership Engagement & Regional Coordinator Lauren Matsumoto at [email protected].