85th Kitasato Memorial Ceremony Held
The Keio University School of Medicine and Sanshikai (School of Medicine alumni association) held the 85th Kitasato Memorial Ceremony on Friday, June 10, 2016 at Kitasato Memorial Hall. The ceremony commemorates the death of Dr. Shibasaburo Kitasato on June 13th, 1931, and is used to present the annual Kitasato and Kitajima Awards.
Through the support of Keio founder Yukichi Fukuzawa, Dr. Shibasaburo Kitasato was able to establish the Institute for Infectious Diseases in 1892. Hoping to repay Fukuzawa's great generosity, he went on to lay the foundation for what is now the Keio University School of Medicine and Hospital, appointed as first dean, as well as first hospital director.
This year's ceremony welcomed twelve guests from the Kitasato Institute, including their Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Kiyotaka Fujii. Speeches were given by Keio President Atsushi Seike, School of Medicine Dean Hideyuki Okano, Sanshikai President Junzo Takeda and Kitasato family representative Ichiro Kitasato.
Dean Okano looked back to 1931 and read from Taichi Kitajima’s eulogy for Dr. Kitasato, reminding the audience of Kitajima’s call to “open up unexplored theoretical spaces and promote mankind’s well-being through the advancement of medicine.” Kitajima, who succeeded Kitasato as second dean of the School of Medicine, also served as president of both the Kitasato Institute and the Japan Medical Association. Dedicated to making sure that Keio inherited Kitasato’s spirit, Kitajima proclaimed that “as scientists, we must cultivate an indomitable spirit that continuously strives for perfection.”
Following the speeches, the Kitasato and Kitajima Awards were presented by Sanshikai President Junzo Takeda. The Kitasato Award began in 1951 and is given for major contributions to the development of basic or clinical research. The Kitajima Award was added in 1957 and is given for excellence in clinical medicine or clinical research. Both are authoritative academic prizes and highlight internationally recognized work. Following the award ceremony, this year's recipients (listed below) each gave captivating presentations detailing their work.
Kitasato Award
“Development of Cardiovascular Treatments Utilizing Stem Cells”
Shinsuke Yuasa, Assistant Professor of Cardiology
Keio University School of Medicine
Learn about how Dr. Yuasa is uncovering the underlying causes of cardiovascular disorders on the Keio Research Highlights website.
Kitasato Award
“Role of Hypoxia Response in Retinal Development and Pathophysiology”
Toshihide Kurihara, Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology
Keio University School of Medicine
Kitajima Award
“Establishment and Promulgation of Novel Laparoscopic Treatments for Urologic Diseases”
Akira Miyajima, Associate Professor of Urology
Keio University School of Medicine
Learn more about the relationship between Dr. Shibasaburo Kitasato and Keio University on the Keio University School of Medicine Timeline.
