Greeting

Hato Naohito

Dean of the Graduate School of Medicine and School of Medicine, Ehime University

Ehime University School of Medicine has celebrated its 50th anniversary. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all those both within and outside the university who have supported us thus far. We also aspire to further development and reaching new heights in the future.

In the 10th-anniversary commemorative book of Ehime University School of Medicine, titled “Haruka: Summit of Ishizuchi,” the first dean, Professor Masatomi Suda, expressed, “Do not seek the footsteps of the ancients, but seek what they sought (Basho).” We interpret this message as, “Although we are a newly established medical school, we should pursue originality without following or imitating others and aim for the summit of Ishizuchi, the highest peak in western Japan.” Over the subsequent 40 years, Ehime University School of Medicine has been in a continuous state of development, and while there is still progress to be made, we feel that the summit is becoming visible on our horizon. It is a challenging path, but we are determined to take one step at a time, advancing forward to witness yet unseen landscapes.

Established in 1973, the School of Medicine was followed by the opening of the affiliated hospital in 1976. Subsequently, the Graduate School of Medicine was established in 1979, the Department of Nursing in 1994, and the Nursing Major in 1998. Following the fundamental principle since its inception, “Learning from patients, contributing back to patients through education, research, and medical care,” we have produced over 6,000 outstanding medical professionals. The Ehime University Shikoku Karst Medical Village, where the School of Medicine is located, gathers around 1,000 medical students, approximately 2,000 faculty members, over 1,000 outpatients, and more than 500 inpatients daily, forming the largest medical village in Shikoku. Looking ahead, we believe that for the continued development of Ehime University School of Medicine, we need to focus on “training healthcare professionals supporting Ehime,” “regional co-creation through medicine in Ehime,” and “a globally connected medical school.”

Training Healthcare Professionals Supporting Ehime: We consider the most significant mission of Ehime University School of Medicine since its establishment to be contributing to the medical field in Ehime. To achieve this, it is crucial to nurture high-quality healthcare professionals and promote grassroots development in regional healthcare. Ehime faces challenges such as regional imbalances, specialty imbalances, and a shortage of nurses in the medical field. We aim to select enthusiastic and excellent students, enhance the educational content and environment of the Medical and Nursing Departments, and cultivate healthcare professionals who will support Ehime. Additionally, through three centers—Medical Education Center, Comprehensive Clinical Training Center, and Regional Medical Support Center—and cutting-edge and recurrent education in the Medical Major and Nursing Major, we will train outstanding leaders to drive the next generation of regional healthcare.

Regional Co-creation through Medicine in Ehime: Medicine has various possibilities. While protecting human health and curing diseases are essential, it is also possible for medicine to create new industries and bring about transformation. This, in turn, can contribute to regional revitalization, leading to the creation of a health-oriented town adapted to the era of a 100-year lifespan. Ehime University School of Medicine holds numerous seeds and needs for potential collaboration with industry, and we aspire to contribute to innovation through collaborative research and development. Initially, in East Ozu City and Ehime Prefecture, we aim to extend healthy life expectancy for local residents, strengthen collaboration with local governments and companies, and strive for regional co-creation.

Globally Connected Medical School: Ehime University School of Medicine offers numerous programs supporting overseas study and exchanges, aiming to cultivate global talents. Conducting high-level medical research and disseminating it is essential for global connectivity. The Graduate School of Medicine at Ehime University collaborates with the Proteo-Science Center, Academic Support Center, and the Advanced Medical Creation Center and Clinical Research Support Center at the affiliated hospital to produce innovative and high-quality research results unique to a local university. Initiatives such as the Biobank and the Ehime Life Medical Science Research Consortium are underway, promoting the fusion of basic and clinical research and conducting research that connects to the world.

Open to the community and spreading its wings globally, Ehime University School of Medicine and the Graduate School of Medicine look towards the future of medicine and healthcare. We aim for further development leading up to the 60th and 70th anniversaries. We appreciate your support in witnessing our leap into a new era.