Kei Okami

Anandibai Joshee, Kei Okami, and Tabat M. Islambooly

Kei Okami (岡見 慶, 1859 – September 2, 1941) was a pioneering Japanese physician and one of the first Japanese women to receive a degree in Western medicine. She is best known for her work in the field of medicine and her contributions to the development of modern medical practices in Japan.

Early Life and Education

Kei Okami was born in 1859 in Aomori Prefecture, Japan. She was part of a progressive family that valued education, which was uncommon for women in Japan during that period. Okami pursued her early education in Japan before moving to the United States to further her studies.

In the United States, she attended the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania, one of the few medical schools at the time that accepted female students. She graduated in 1889, becoming one of the first Japanese women to earn a degree in Western medicine.

Medical Career

After completing her education, Kei Okami returned to Japan, where she began her medical practice. She worked at the Jikei University School of Medicine and later at the Tokyo Women's Medical University. Her work primarily focused on women's health and the introduction of Western medical practices in Japan.

Okami was instrumental in the establishment of modern medical facilities and played a significant role in training future generations of Japanese physicians. Her efforts helped bridge the gap between traditional Japanese medicine and Western medical practices.

Legacy

Kei Okami's contributions to medicine in Japan have had a lasting impact. She is remembered as a trailblazer for women in the medical field and a key figure in the modernization of Japanese healthcare. Her dedication to improving medical education and patient care has left a lasting legacy.

See Also

• Women in medicine
• History of medicine in Japan
• Jikei University School of Medicine
• Tokyo Women's Medical University