We are honored to share that Dr. Miwa Izutsu, Head of Medical Franchise at Takeda Pharmaceuticals Japan Medical Office, was our esteemed guest for the inaugural Find-Your-Role-Model Session of the academic year 2024, marking our 75th session to date.

After earning her degree from Iwate Medical University, Dr. Izutsu dedicated seven years to practicing as an anesthesiologist at Yamagata University’s medical department. Her passion for research of the central nervous system led her to Duke University in the United States, where she earned her Ph.D. Transitioning from academia into the pharmaceutical industry, she took on pivotal roles in Research & Development at Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K. Since 2022, she has been with Takeda Pharmaceuticals Japan Medical Office, where she leads the medical franchise. In her current role, Dr. Izutsu is involved in various critical activities such as researching the proper use of medicines, engaging in scientific communication with physicians, and providing vital information at conferences.

During the session, Dr. Izutsu shared insights into her background, current activities, career choices and the attitudes she values. Although her career might seem flawless at first glance, she actually navigated numerous twists and turns to reach her current position. Drawing from her experiences overcoming hardships, she now supports medical professional doctors struggling with career decisions through a non-profit organization called The Institute of Drug Development Career Promotion (DDCP).

We were very impressed by her willingness to meet new people and listen to their stories. Having a variety of experiences helps us discover what we want to do, but there is a limit to what we can experience on our own. Dr. Izutsu recommended listening to others with different experiences to simulate those experiences for oneself. She shared that by finding role models around her, she was able to overcome her fears and gain the strength to take the first step forward. In addition to her medical career, she is active in various fields and is currently pursuing an Executive MBA at a graduate school, alongside her work. 

This time, the participants asked so many questions that we could not cover all of them in the session, demonstrating the high level of interest in Dr. Izutsu’ s career as a researcher who excels not only in clinical practice and research but also in the pharmaceutical industry. It was a great opportunity to learn about the diverse career options in the medical field that extend beyond conventional frameworks. This session inspired each participant to take a step forward, just as Dr. Izutsu had taken steps forward in her life.