Jefferson Japan Center
Established in January 2012, the Jefferson Japan Center coordinates the exchange of health personnel between Jefferson, Japanese Association for the Development of Community Medicine (JADECOM), one of the largest Japanese health systems; Noguchi Medical Research Institute (NMRI), a recognized leader in medical education exchange; and leading Japanese health science institutions. Together, these partners work to achieve several goals.
- Supplement the development of health professionals from Japan with experiences at Jefferson.
- Promote the exchange of research ideas and personnel between the Japanese institutions and Jefferson.
- Further research during these exchanges.
As the largest Japanese health science center in the U.S. and with a proud relationship with the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia, the Japan Center, committed to promoting medical education and humanistic care in Japan and the U.S., has:
- Hosted more than 450 healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, physical and occupational therapists, speech pathologists, dietitians, medical technologists, students and hospital administrators over the past seven years.
- Launched its first collaborative research symposium in 2017.
- Sponsored two high-profile lectureships, including the Dr. Yoshihisa Asano Lecture for Medical Education, as well as the Dr. Fumimaro Takaku Lectureship in partnership with the Department of Family & Community Medicine.
Center Director Charles Pohl, MD
Center City Campus Chancellor
Vice Provost, Student Affairs
A long-term objective of the Japan Center is to maintain tracking data of participants to assess the feasibility and mutual satisfaction of the exchanges. Guiding this work are three straightforward, yet powerful, strategic goals noted below:
Strategic Pillars
Academic Vision
Foster the development of health professionals from Japan with experiences at Jefferson
Clinical Vision
Promote the exchange of research ideas and personnel between the Japanese institutions and Jefferson
Research Vision
Leverage exchanges as an opportunity for shared research
Team Members
- Richard Crespo, Administrative Assistant (Richard.Crespo@jefferson.edu)
- Danielle DeSantis, MPH, CHES, Program Manager & Visitor Travel Coordinator (Danielle.DeSantis@jefferson.edu)
- Vincent Gleizer, Project Coordinator (Vincent.Gleizer@jefferson.edu)
- Wayne Bond Lau, MD, Associate Director (Waynebond.Lau@jefferson.edu)
- Charles Pohl, MD, Executive Director for Jefferson Japan Center & Senior Vice Provost for Student Affairs (Charles.Pohl@jefferson.edu)
- Yumiko Radi, Operations Director (Yumiko.Radi@jefferson.edu)
- Takami Sato, MD, PhD, Director (Takami.Sato@jefferson.edu)
Highlights
- Rural Health Initiative: Program to improve Japan’s health care in the rural setting
- Rehabilitation Science Innovation: Development of business model with Fujita Health University’s innovation center to design universal moveable design spaces
- Physician Faculty Development Certificate: Training future physician leaders
- Nursing Accreditation Project: Collaboration between Jefferson College of Nursing and Toho University
- Industry Collaboratives: Working with Toyota and Canon in design thinking, innovation and population health programs
- Education in Medicine: Established the annual Noguchi/Jefferson Japan Center Medical Education Symposium in Japan, as well as annual summer educational camp for Japanese medical students and residents
- Education and Research in Nursing: Working with Toho University to design and develop nursing practitioner training program in Japan
Partners
We are honored to collaborate with these world-recognized academic partners:
Primary Affiliates/Partners:
- Japanese Association for the Development of Community Medicine (JADECOM)
- Noguchi Medical Research Institute (NMRI)
Additional Affiliates/Partners:
- Fujita Health University
- Kyoto University
- Kitasato University
- Toho University
- Chiba University
- Kariya Toyota General Hospital
- Osaka Metropolitan University
Japanese Nursing delegation visit to Department of Nursing - Dixon Campus at Thomas Jefferson University
On November 13, 2023, Thomas Jefferson University College of Nursing hosted six senior nurses from the Japan Association for Development of Community Medicine (JADECOM). Their visit to the Dixon campus aimed to understand how Jefferson College of Nursing faculties utilize the simulation center for nursing student education. They participated in sessions on simulation education and attended a lecture by Professor Sharon Rainer on Nurse Practitioners in the USA.