Greetings, everyone. I am Rie Uni privileged to be a recipient of the JMSA scholarship
for the year 2023. Currently holding a board certification in internal medicine in Japan, I
am actively involved in fundamental research at the prestigious Memorial Sloan-
Kettering Cancer Center.
It is with great honor that I present to you my project entitled “Raising awareness for
health-related issues through social networking services.” The core objective of this
endeavor is to champion the cause of health promotion among Japanese young adults
residing in the United States, utilizing the powerful platform of Instagram.
In the midst of the global pandemic, we found ourselves inundated with an abundance
of information on viral biology, treatment modalities, and vaccination options.
Regrettably, this surge in information exhibited a varying degree of scientific rigor.
Recognizing the need for precision, I felt a personal responsibility to share accurate
insights, drawing upon my comprehensive medical and scientific background.
Motivated by this commitment, I launched my Instagram account (@rie_doctor),
dedicated to providing precise, succinct information on the groundbreaking mRNA
vaccines against SARS-CoV-2. Since its inception, the content has expanded beyond
the realms of COVID-19 to encompass a spectrum of general health-related topics.
In the current phase of the scholarship project, I am harnessing the potential of my
Instagram account to disseminate valuable healthcare information, primarily tailored for
Japanese parents with children in the US. The gratifying news is that my account is
steadily accumulating followers, and some of them have graciously offered feedback
and made requests for future content. Engaging in these interactions brings me
immense joy, knowing that I am making a modest yet meaningful contribution to the
Japanese community in the US.
I extend an open invitation for collaboration to fellow doctors within this community. If
anyone shares an interest in joining forces, please feel free to reach out to me.
In conclusion, I express my sincere gratitude for providing me with this invaluable
opportunity. Thank you.