Self-introduction by Kats Ote

I am a 43-year-old Japanese physician, who graduated from the University of the Ryukyus in Okinawa in 1998. Since there was no mandatory or official postgraduate training program in those days, I went straight into practice as everyone else did. A few years later, out of the feeling of necessity, I decided to come to the States to consolidate my experience and learn higher skills. I am now in the process of getting certified here in the States.

It was quite a challenge, but I came here to make my dream come true, leaving my parents, younger brother, and three puppies behind. It is not easy at all to fulfill one's will in a foreign country where people have different cultures and languages. I would be enjoying a comfortable life in Japan now, only if I had continued to stay there and go with the flow by succeeding to my father's clinic (he is also a cardiologist).

Where there is no stimulus, however, there is no growth. I did not want to regret my indecisiveness later on. When it comes to Western medicine, America has been the most advanced country in the world over the decades. It is my lifelong goal to improve myself as a physician and human being concurrently.

There is a famous saying in Japan, "Medicine is a humanitarian art." Like Akahige-sensei, the main character in Akira Kurosawa's Red Beard, I want to be an insightful but simple, and professional but humane doctor. I do not want to end up as a narrow pedant. In order to cultivate myself, I have played various kinds of sports, including baseball and judo, studied different fields, and read all kinds of books (and even done many stupid things to learn life lessons!) I am ready to help my patients with my own style of approach (it is called Kat's special), orchestrating all of my five (or even six) senses and combining all the experiences I've had in my life. I am determined to make substantial contributions to the society throughout my life.