Nov. 12, 2018

Daisuke Yamashita, M.D. R' 09, assistant professor of family medicine, OHSU School of Medicine, is the inaugural recipient of the Japan Association for Development of Community Medicine (JADECOM) Scholar in Family Medicine. OHSU Provost Elena Andresen, Ph.D., and Chair of the Department of Family Medicine Jennifer DeVoe, M.D., D.Phil., presided over an investiture in October. 

Dr. Yamashita is the director of outpatient care and quality at OHSU Family Medicine. He is originally from Japan, where he practiced as a general practitioner and educator for six years before he joined OHSU in 2006 as an intern in family medicine. He graduated from the OHSU Family Medicine Residency Training Program in 2009.  

Following his time in residency, he completed a two-year fellowship in leadership at OHSU Family Medicine. Dr. Yamashita recently finished his tenure as medical director and associate residency director of the OHSU Family Medicine Clinic at South Waterfront.

Since moving to the U.S. in 2006, Dr. Yamashita has regularly returned to Japan to provide site visits, as well as lectures and workshops focusing on family medicine residency training. He regularly teaches learners from the OHSU Family Medicine—Japan Association for the Development of Community Medicine (JADECOM) Exchange Program. In March of 2011, he returned to Japan to participate in disaster relief work for the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami for four weeks. During this time, he helped the Onagawa Community Medical Center, operated by JADECOM.

Founded in 1986, mainly by graduates of Jichi Medical University, JADECOM operates hospitals, clinics and healthcare facilities throughout Japan. This includes everything from emergency care in urban areas, community hospitals, and clinics in the most rural locations. OHSU Family Medicine and JADECOM are long-standing partners in an innovative International Residency Exchange Program. Learn more on the Department of Family Medicine website.

The ceremony included a tribute to Dr. Yamashita from Scott Fields, M.D., adjunct associate professor of family medicine, OHSU School of Medicine, and remarks from Fumimaro Takaku, M.D., president of JADECOM. 

 

Photos courtesy OHSU

Honored: OHSU leaders and trainees and JADECOM leaders gather to celebrate Dr. Daisuke Yamashita as inaugural recipient of the JADECOM Scholar in Family Medicine.

Family Medicine celebrates: Dr. Jen DeVoe makes a toast following the investiture ceremony, with Drs. Yamashita and Takaku seated.

Symbol of friendship: Dr. Yamashita presented a clay sakura (cherry blossom) tree. Considered the national flower and given as a show of respect for Japanese culture, it symbolizes continuous relationship/friendship between the Department of Family Medicine and JADECOM.