On Becoming Dean | Kaeko Yamashita (Dean, Faculty of Nursing and Medical Care)
2007.10.11
I was appointed Dean of the Faculty, effective October 1. On this occasion, I would like to discuss the circumstances that led to the establishment of the Faculty of Nursing and Medical Care and what is expected of it.
Nursing education at Keio began in April 1918, based on the foresight of Dr. Shibasaburo Kitasato, the first dean of the Keio University School of Medicine, who at the time already held the "role of nurses in medical care" in high regard. This has been highly praised both inside and outside Keio University as a prime example of brilliantly embodying the cultivation of character based on Yukichi Fukuzawa's founding spirit of "independence and self-respect" and the philosophy of "jitsugaku (science)."
With such a background, nursing education at Keio University has continued to uphold its founding philosophy amidst various severe changes, and this has been passed down to the Kosei Women's College, the Keio Junior College of Nursing, and now to the current Faculty of Nursing and Medical Care. In particular, the establishment of the Faculty of Nursing and Medical Care was met with great expectations, with the goal of "fostering human resources to be leaders in nursing and medical care," supported not only by the wishes of past graduates, faculty, and staff, but also by the significant support of many members of the Keio Gijuku Shachu.
1. The Origin of Care as Seen in Yukichi Fukuzawa's Concept of "Sewa"
In the 14th volume of "Gakumon no Susume" (An Encouragement of Learning), published in March 1875, there is a section on "The Meaning of the Word 'Sewa'." To quote a part of it, "The word 'sewa' has two meanings: one is protection, and the other is instruction. Protection means to watch over and defend someone from the side, ... or to spend time for them, taking care so that they lose neither benefit nor face. Instruction means to think on behalf of someone, directing them toward what you believe is convenient for them, offering a different opinion on what you think is inconvenient, and advising them with all your heart. This is also the meaning of 'sewa'. As stated above, when one takes care of others with both meanings of 'sewa'—protection and instruction—it is truly good care, and the world will be well-ordered. ...
Protection and instruction must always go hand in hand, without the slightest deviation in their boundaries. Where protection reaches, so must instruction. Where instruction reaches, so must protection..."
When I came across this passage, I was deeply moved, feeling that this is the very origin of care, the origin of nursing. I felt as if I had touched the wellspring of "human love" in Keio's nursing. Both students and faculty at the Faculty of Nursing and Medical Care cannot help but be keenly aware that we are tasked with the development and creation of modern Keio nursing based on this philosophy of "human love" and "jitsugaku (science)."
2. Current Trends in Health and Medical Care
The situation surrounding nursing and medical care today is changing dramatically. With the remarkable development of medical sciences and technology, medical care itself is no longer limited to treating illness but is now turning its attention to "ensuring a broad quality of life," including disease prevention and health maintenance and promotion, so that people can live their lives as they wish. Furthermore, global exchange is becoming more commonplace by the day, and acute, serious infectious diseases or disasters in distant places are, in fact, not so "distant" and affect people's daily lives tomorrow. Moreover, while the number of dependent people is increasing, there are also many who have become aware of their right to health, possess a wealth of information, and are motivated to manage their own healthy lifestyles.
To respond to these changes and needs, those involved in medical care are required to have outstanding abilities, including not only specialized knowledge and skills, but also the attitude to respond quickly and flexibly to situations anytime and anywhere, high-level communication techniques to gain understanding and consent, and the educational ability to influence people's views on health and their lifestyles. Furthermore, there is a great demand not only for maintaining the current quality of nursing and medical care but also for the passion and expertise to improve, reform, and develop the current situation.
3. The Aims of the Faculty of Nursing and Medical Care
Nursing professionals, who are expected to be active on the front lines of this rapidly changing field of health and medical care and to lead society, are required to have high capabilities and qualities to respond quickly and flexibly to situations. The Faculty of Nursing and Medical Care has long emphasized this, and we have been working with the belief that nursing education itself should have a new perspective based on a more scientific and logical system.
However, the pace of change surrounding nursing and medical care is extremely fast, and I believe that further research, education, and practice based on new ideas are necessary to "improve, reform, and develop" the current situation. I believe that we need education and research projects where students, faculty, and staff work together through organic collaboration, not only with the three faculties and two graduate schools at SFC, but also with other faculties, graduate schools, and institutions.
Although the Faculty of Nursing and Medical Care is small in scale, it is filled with a passion that makes up for it. The Faculty of Nursing and Medical Care intends to work as one so that we can boldly tackle the challenge of 'creating new healthy lifestyles.' We ask for your cooperation and support.
(Posted: 2007/10/11)