Reception for Japan Biodesign Fellows

On Wednesday, February 12, Consul General Yo Osumi hosted a reception for medical professionals participating in the Japan Biodesign program, a Stanford University-affiliated fellowship that aims to help Japanese medical experts create innovative medical devices and solutions using design thinking. This event was co-hosted by the US-Japan Healthcare Connection, a sister organization of the Japan Society of Northern California.

The program began with opening remarks from Consul General Osumi and an explanation of the fellowship from Japan Biodesign US Program Director Dr. Fumiaki Ikeno, followed by remarks from JSNC President, Steve Pollock. Afterwards, Gordon Saul, Executive Director at Stanford Mussallem Center for Biodesign gave a toast. Following the toast, current program fellows gave presentations on some of their ongoing projects and Japan Biodesign alumni presented on the progress they had made on their projects since finishing the program.

Finally, a couple of Japanese startups (Anaut and IZANA), one of which is based at the Japan Innovation Campus in Palo alto, gave presentations on their cutting-edge medical devices and solutions. The presentations were followed by a networking reception and buffet.