To thank and recognize Dr. Satoru Izutsu for the many lives he has touched throughout the world during his career in medicine, Dr. Thomas Kosasa donated $500,000 to establish the Satoru Izutsu, PhD Endowed Professorship of Medical Education at the John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) and an additional $100,000 that can be used immediately. To build on the impact of the new endowment, Dr. Izutsu contributed an additional $100,000.
The first Satoru Izutsu, PhD Endowed Professor of Medical Education is JABSOM’s Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Dr. Alan Otsuki.
“I am deeply honored to be named the inaugural Satoru Izutsu Professor of Medical Education and will do my very best to follow in Dr. Izutsu’s distinguished and very energetic footsteps,” said Dr. Otsuki. “Dr. Izutsu’s legacy and Dr. Kosasa’s gift will allow us to do this by focusing on three areas: investing in our teaching faculty; innovating within medical education; and continuing to build deep and long-standing partnerships with the hospitals, healthcare delivery systems and the physicians of Hawai‘i.”
About Dr. Izutsu:
While studying at the University of Hawai‘i, Dr. Izutsu was a ROTC cadet. Soon after graduation in 1950, during the Korean War, he was called to active duty. Upon discharge, he remained in the Active Reserves for 30 years and retired as a full Colonel. His last Reserve assignment was as Mobilization Designee to the Chief of the Army Medical Specialist Corps, Office of the Surgeon General at the Pentagon.
During his doctoral studies at Case-Western Reserve University in Ohio, Hawai‘i became the 50th State. The new State government reached out to Hawai‘i residents living abroad, encouraging them to return home to fill civil service positions. An eight-month commitment with the American Friends’ Service Committee came first, with Dr. Izutsu training the first group of Occupational Therapists in Belgrade, Serbia. In 1962, he returned to Hawai‘i to fill the newly classified position as Director of Training at the 860-bed Waimano Training School and Hospital for persons with severe mental and physical disabilities. He then filled the post of superintendent of the institution.
During his career, Dr. Izutsu worked with the Regional Medical Program in the Research Corporation of the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Its mission was to address issues related to heart disease, cancer and stroke, with a focus on Hawai‘i, Micronesia, Guam and American Samoa. He also was a Professor of International Health in the School of Public Health. At the John A. Burns School of Medicine, he served as the Associate Dean and Director of Admissions for 22 years.
To understand why so many in our community feel deep respect and affection for Dr. Izutsu, we invite you to watch a video produced for and presented at the endowment announcement and retirement gala. Video
You can make a gift in support of the Satoru Izutsu PhD Endowed Professorship of Medical Education here.
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The University of Hawai‘i Foundation, a nonprofit organization, raises private funds to support the University of Hawai‘i System. The mission of the University of Hawai‘i Foundation is to unite donors’ passions with the University of Hawai‘i’s aspirations by raising philanthropic support and managing private investments to benefit UH, the people of Hawai‘i and our future generations. www.uhfoundation.org
