My name is Yoshikane Kikushige, and I am deeply honored to have been appointed as the position of Professor of the Department of Medicine and Biosystemic Science (First Department of Internal Medicine), Kyushu University, on April 1, 2026.

Since graduating from the Faculty of Medicine at Kyushu University in 2002, I have pursued my career within the First Department of Internal Medicine. I have been engaged primarily in clinical practice in the field of hematology and oncology, while also conducting research on human hematopoietic stem cells and leukemic stem cells during my graduate studies. Since then, I have continued to devote myself to clinical care, research, and education as a hematologist.

The First Department of Internal Medicine covers a wide range of clinical disciplines, including hematology, oncology, cardiovascular medicine, immunology, infectious diseases, as well as systemic and intractable diseases. These fields are also witnessing remarkable progress, driven by major advances in molecularly targeted therapies, cell therapies such as CAR-T therapy, and various other novel therapeutic modalities. Our department aspires to be a clinical and academic community that remains firmly committed to patient-centered care while striving to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of disease and to advance the development of new treatment strategies.

For more than 120 years, the First Department of Internal Medicine has embraced change while cherishing a tradition of academic independence and intellectual creativity in clinical care, research, and education. Inheriting this distinguished tradition, we are committed to further advancing our mission and to nurturing the next generation of medical professionals and researchers who will lead the future of medicine.

I sincerely appreciate your continued support and encouragement.