So you want to learn English? Shinji Kimura, MD, MS Center for Medical Education Sapporo Medical University

Forty years ago, there was a junior high school student who did not know a word of English……

It turned out that the boy came to like English very much, and he spent most of his junior high school days learning English.

He would sometimes think about a career in English. “Nah He would sometimes think about a career in English. “Nah. I don’t want to be an English teacher. It would be too boring.”

When he was in senior high, he developed a burning desire to be a country doctor. Why?

Two things. “The Emerald Sky in Nepal” and a newspaper article.

Thanks to his English, he made it into med school.

He was inspired by 宮崎亮先生（北大３０期） who worked in Bangladesh.

“I want to serve the underserved.”

He attended classes, was in the Karate Team and the Cross-Country Skiing Team. He continued to learn English because he liked it.

He had no money.

When he was in his third year, he said, “I’m gonna get out of Hokkaido after I graduate. I’m sick and tired of this med school.”

When he was in his fourth year, he said, “I’m going to get my training in the U.S.”

In his fourth year, he took TOEFL to see where he was at.

In his fifth year, he took “Eiken” to see where he was.

In his fifth year, he took FMGEMS Basic Sciences component (currently USMLE Step 1).

Anatomy Physiology Biochemistry Pharmacology Microbiology Pathology Behavioral Science

At the end of fifth year, he did an externship at U. S At the end of fifth year, he did an externship at U.S. Naval Hospital in Yokosuka, Kanagawa.

In his sixth year, he took FMGEMS Clinical Sciences component (currently USMLE Step 2 Clinical Knowledge).

Medicine Surgery OB/GYN Pediatrics Psychiatry

In his sixth year, he went to the U.S. for the first time in his life.

In 1989, he graduated, obtained his Igakushi degree, got his Japanese license, and did an internship at USNH Yokosuka.

Medicine Surgery Pediatrics Obstetrics/Gynaecology (OB/GYN)

In 1990, he went to a Japanese hospital and did another internship (or a “residency”).

In 1991, he got matched to a family medicine residency in U.S.

Three years of broad training in family medicine (family practice).

Learning under and from family physicians and specialists in clinics, on the ward, the labor and delivery rooms, and in the operating room

His aspiration: “I wanna be a very good country doctor His aspiration: “I wanna be a very good country doctor. I’m gonna work in rural Hokkaido.”

Two weeks in an Indian reservation

In 1994, he moved to U of Minnesota to do a fellowship in geriatrics (old people medicine)

Two years of broad training in geriatrics

In 1996, he came back to Japan and worked as a staff physician In 1996, he came back to Japan and worked as a staff physician. Taught residents for four years.

He would often say, “I’m never going back to my medical school.

In 2000, he became an assistant physician（助手） at his alma mater.

He did all kinds of things.

In 2004, he and his colleagues started a online videoconference to connect doctors in Hokkaido, urban and rural.

What happened to your aspiration to be a very good country doctor?

In 2005, he started to work in Matsumae Town Hospital.

“I will be here for ten years or more.”

When he first went….

Gradually….

Conflict with the Mayor and the Town Assembly 2013-2016

He resigned in July, 2016.

He was there for 10 years and 9 months.

He then worked at a small city hospital in Bibai(美唄) for seven month.

He became a professor of medical English education in April, 2017, at his alma mater.

What kind of doctor do you want to be?

Do you want to keep up-to-date?

Are you interested in research?

Do you want to go abroad for clinical training or for research?

If yes to any one of the above, you will need English!

How?

Going to U.S. for clinical training

Igakushi degree + Japanese physician’s license + USMLE Step 1 and 2(CK) and 2(Clinical Skills) ↓ Apply to residency programs ↓ Participate in the “Match” ↓ If matched, then get an exchange visitor visa (J-1) ↓ Apply for a temporary license (license for residents)

Residency training (3-5 years) (after 1-3 years of training you take USMLE Step 3 and get a full license) ↓ Specialty Board exam ↓ Fellowship training (1-4 years)(optional) ↓ Subspecialty Board exam(optional) ↓ Full-fledged doctor

Expand your horizons. Go and look at things Expand your horizons! Go and look at things! Do what you want to do while you are young!

Let’s learn some parts of the body.

Thank you for your attention. Email me or LINE me any time.