Medical students at the UNC School of Medicine have the opportunity to travel abroad and gain global medical experience through the Office of Global Health Education. This past summer, two students traveled to Nagoya, Japan, to participate in Nagoya University School of Medicine’s “Bridging Community Medicine and Innovations in Japan” program.
Ray Cheever, an MD/PhD student currently in the second year of his PhD, is researching nutrition protocols for older adults with chronic non-healing wounds. As an undergraduate student at UNC, he studied Japanese, and this program provided an ideal opportunity to integrate his research interests in aging populations with his personal passion for Japanese language and culture.
“This experience was incredibly meaningful, as I had never been to Japan despite studying the language in college,” Cheever said. “It was a long-awaited opportunity to immerse myself in Japanese culture while gaining valuable insights into Japan’s healthcare system and its innovative strategies for addressing a rapidly aging population.”
Grace Lian, a second-year medical student, co-led the Geriatrics Interest Group and is part of the Care of the Older Patient scholarly concentration program. She was drawn to the trip because of Japan’s approaches to caring for its aging population.
“I have a personal interest in geriatrics and hospice and palliative care,” Lian said. “I thought going to Japan and learning from Japanese physicians and scientists would give me a good look into providing the best care for our older patients.”
Cheever and Lian traveled to Nagoya University along with two students from Duke University, two students from UC Davis, and six students from China. The diverse group connected, sharing insights and highlighting similarities and differences in their respective countries.
“One of the most meaningful aspects of the program was the opportunity for intercultural exchange among medical students from three countries that, while different in many ways, also share important similarities,” Cheever said. “We had countless conversations about the differences in medical education and healthcare systems across China, the U.S., and Japan, learning from one another’s experiences as medical students in our three distinct countries.”
At the beginning of the trip, the students attended lectures at the university hospital on topics such as healthcare technology, healthcare challenges Japan, and the structure of Japan’s healthcare system. Dr. Claire Larson, assistant professor of medicine in the UNC Division of Geriatrics, also joined Cheever and Lian on the trip.
“I loved the informative and engaging week I spent in Nagoya exploring the challenges and innovations of healthcare in Japan and our respective countries,” Larson said. “As a geriatrician, I was particularly interested in learning about the Japanese care system for older adults. I was honored to be able to engage and collaborate with such dynamic, thoughtful, and innovative colleagues and students.”
Later in the week, the students worked with home health physicians and visited patient homes. Japan’s emphasis on home medical care highlighted a stark contrast with the care typically provided to the aging population in the United States.
Lian was deeply impressed by the way Japanese home physicians treat their patients with dignity and respect. The physicians and the nurse would arrive at homes with a formal knock at the door. Once inside, they would take off their shoes and change into slippers provided by the household.
“The first contact you have with the patient and family members, everyone bows as a form of respect,” Lian said. “There’s something so beautiful about having physicians and nurses bowing to their patients and family members.”
The display of compassionate care is sometimes overlooked by physicians. Lian hopes to model the same humanity that the Japanese home health physicians demonstrated.
“Seeing that play out and this physical representation of bowing to each other and showing each other respect is something I also want to adopt into my practice in the future,” Lian said. “The people I encounter are people worth equal respect, and it is a privilege to be welcomed into their homes and into some of the most intimate moments of their lives.”
Both Cheever and Lian praised the Japanese medical students’ willingness to help them feel immersed in Japanese society and culture. They provided tours of historic landmarks, offered translations when needed, and formed lasting friendships.
“The Japanese medical students and staff went above and beyond to make our experience unforgettable,” Cheever said. “They not only welcomed us with warmth and enthusiasm but also facilitated a wide range of incredible opportunities. We toured Japanese fishing boats, experienced the storied history and beauty of the region, and savored a variety of delicious, traditional Japanese cuisine. Their dedication and generosity truly made us feel welcomed and made our time in Japan a deeply enriching experience.”
UNC School of Medicine is partnering with Nagoya University School of Medicine to return to Japan for the 2025 program. Two students will be selected from interested applicants to participate. To apply, submit a CV, statement of purpose/interest, and a letter of recommendation to oghe@med.unc.edu. Applications will be accepted until February 28 and selections announced on March 18. For questions, contact oghe@med.unc.edu.