Yale School of Nursing and University of Tokyo Forge Global Collaboration

By Sohani Sirdeshmukh

Program Manager, Office of Global Affairs and Planetary Health

 

Yale School of Nursing (YSN) is pleased to announce a bold new collaboration with the University of Tokyo. This global partnership aims to reshape the landscape of nursing education through cross-cultural exchange, innovative research, and the development of nurse leaders in both programs.

 

Though separated by geography, the two institutions share a commitment to excellence in nursing education and a legacy of producing professionals who influence and elevate the global nursing landscape. YSN and the University of Tokyo’s Division of Health Sciences and Nursing embrace a multidisciplinary approach that encourages students and faculty to engage with a diverse range of perspectives and methodologies.

 

In 2007, Yale University and the University of Tokyo signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) emphasizing collaborative research, student and faculty exchange, and knowledge sharing. Fast forward to 2023, and a mix of 12 YSN students, staff, and faculty embarked on a transformative journey to Tokyo to participate in the 26th East Asian Forum of Nursing Scholars (EAFONS) and the Spring International Program, both curated by the University of Tokyo’s Division of Health Sciences and Nursing.

 

The EAFONS ‘23 conference, themed “Doctoral Nursing Education’s Response to the Unprecedented Time: Toward Sustainable Well-Being,” acted as a global forum for nurses and researchers worldwide to exchange their insights and innovations to address some of the world’s greatest health crises. YSN community members, including Research Program Manager Dada Dada, Postdoctoral fellow Dr. Gloria Aidoo-Frimpong, Grace Mills ’23 MSN, Meredith Campbell ’23 MSN, Samuel Akyirem (PhD(c)), and Dr. Uzoji Nwanaji-Enwerem ’23 PhD, showcased their research, reflecting the institution’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of nursing knowledge.

Following EAFONS, the YSN delegation, under the leadership of Associate Dean for Global Affairs & Planetary Health LaRon E. Nelson, PhD, RN, FNP, FNAP, FNYAM, FAAN, and Jennifer McIntosh, PhD, RN, CNE, PMH-BC, NEA-BC, participated in a three-day Spring International Program, which brought together 32 students and three faculty members from 11 universities worldwide. Beyond laying a foundation for collaborative research, the program provided field trips, allowing nurse practitioners to engage with healthcare professionals and community facilities and share innovative methodologies.

 

Dr. Uzoji Nwanaji-Enwerem ’23 PhD, emphasized the program’s profound impact on cultural competency. She shared, “Cultural competency remains paramount in the nursing profession and healthcare at large, serving as a fundamental skill for providing high-quality care to diverse patient populations. Through my involvement in EAFONS ’23 and the Spring International Program, I gained invaluable insights into how nursing intersects with Japanese culture, an experience for which I am deeply appreciative.”

 

Luis Vera’ 23 MSN, reflected on the significance of the trip. “EAFONS and the Spring International Program experience in Tokyo were transformative experiences for me at YSN,” he said. “This international collaboration embodied YSN’s mission of better health for all people as healthcare professionals from diverse backgrounds and cultures came together, collaborated on a global scale, and provided an opportunity for students and healthcare professionals to gain a broader perspective on global healthcare challenges and solutions. It truly personified the healthcare mantra many healthcare providers kept at the forefront of their minds at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic: ‘We’re all in this together.’” 

 

Later in the year, YSN welcomed eight delegates from the University of Tokyo. Under the leadership of Zhao Ni, PhD, BMed, RN, FAAN, Director of International Academic Partnerships and Programs at the Office of Global Affairs and Planetary Health, the collaborative activities included introductions to Yale’s cutting-edge simulation facility and research presentations, setting the stage for potential future collaborations.

 

Over the next few years, the partnership will continue to deepen as it transcends geographical boundaries, fosters innovation and cultural exchange, and pursues the shared objective of advancing nursing research and practice. This collaboration brings together the rich legacy of Yale with the academic prowess of the University of Tokyo, creating a synergy that holds immense promise for the future of healthcare education.

 

In response to the surging global demand for well-trained healthcare professionals, the partnership between YSN and University of Tokyo aim to forge a platform for cross-cultural exchange, pioneer innovative research, and nurture nursing leaders equipped to navigate the intricate complexities of modern healthcare on a global scale.