A formal ceremony and get-together to commemorate 100 years of nursing education at Keio University were held on Saturday, May 12 at Shinanomachi Campus, with a homecoming (large-scale reunion) also held to coincide with the day’s celebrations. This year marks 100 years of nursing education at Keio, which began with the establishment of the Department of Medicine Nurse Training Center at the then college in 1918. Over 350 people, including guests, students, alumni, and staff and faculty members attended the day’s events.
Professor Hiroko Komatsu, dean of the Faculty of Nursing and Medical Care, kicked off the ceremony with a formal address, while President Akira Haseyama also gave a congratulatory speech. This was followed by further words of congratulation from Mr. Yoshiki Hiki, chairperson of the Keio Rengo Mita-Kai, Professor Sook-Bin Im, dean of the College of Nursing at Eulji University, Professor Azita Emami, executive dean of the University of Washington School of Nursing (video), Ms. Kazuko Kamiizumi, representative director of the Japan Association of Nursing Programs in Universities, and Ms. Mika Chaen, chairperson of the Koubaikai. During the second half of the ceremony, there was a screening of the commemorative movie, "Graduating Class of the 100th Year," which looked at how nursing education at Keio has evolved over the years. Next, Mr. Takashi Kawazoe (graduate of the first graduating class of the Faculty of Nursing and Medical Care), CEO of Carepro Inc., and Professor Hiromi Sanada of the Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo gave commemorative lectures, which touched on the roles nursing should play in society and the findings of the cutting-edge research which will shape nursing over the course of the next 100 years. Afterwards, on behalf of the students at the Faculty of Nursing and Medical Care, Nanane Kinoshita (4th-year student) and Satoshi Sakazaki (3rd-year student) made a declaration for future health, announcing their strong determination to show the way for nursing.
After the commemorative ceremony, a get-together attended for the most part by guests and faculty and staff members was held, while at a separate venue, a large-scale reunion centered on alumni was held. At the latter homecoming, a round-table talk titled Kyo made, soshite ashita kara (until today and from tomorrow) was convened. Here, alumni and undergraduate students at the Faculty of Nursing and Medical Care joined forces to talk about their respective efforts and memories from the standpoint of alumni and students. After the talk, the various generations of alumni celebrated 100 years of nursing education at Keio University and shared their joy at being reunited.
All programs were a resounding success and ended on a high note, and the participants are now looking forward to the next 100 years.