Professor Greetings

Message from the Professor

Shunsuke Sakakibara (Kobe University Plastic Surgery Professor)

 

On June 1, 2025, I was appointed the third Professor of the Department of Plastic Surgery at Kobe University Hospital.

Since its founding in 1997 by our first professor, Dr. Shinya Tahara, the department has grown into a leading center for reconstructive surgery, highly respected in Japan for its excellence in clinical care and education. Under the leadership of my predecessor, Professor Hiroto Terashi, appointed in 2012, we further advanced the field of wound care, an area in which our department continues to play a national leadership role today. Over the past 28 years, we have built a network of more than 20 affiliated institutions within and beyond Hyogo Prefecture, strengthening community-based practice and increasing public recognition of our specialty. Our history reflects not only the advancement of plastic surgery within major hospitals but also its wider contribution to society through independent clinics.

Plastic surgery is among the oldest surgical specialties in medicine, yet it continues to evolve with remarkable adaptability. This ongoing transformation is, to me, one of the most compelling aspects of the discipline. It also demands a lifelong commitment to learning, refinement, and dedication. What makes Kobe University’s Department of Plastic Surgery distinctive is its embrace of this spirit of flexibility while nurturing the growth of its members. In inheriting this tradition, I feel a deep sense of responsibility as well as renewed awareness of the social mission and future potential of our field.

Allow me to briefly introduce myself. I was born and raised in Kobe. After high school, I entered the Faculty of Science, where I studied polymer science and biology. Later, as a member of the inaugural class of the transfer program into Kobe University School of Medicine, I began my medical studies. The scientific training I received during those formative years became the foundation of my career as a researcher.

My academic interests have focused on regenerative medicine and photobiology, and I have established a laboratory dedicated to these areas. While the connection between photobiology and plastic surgery may not appear obvious at first, my goal is to explore the fundamental mechanisms of life and apply these insights to wound healing and the management of malignant tumors.

Throughout my career, I have sought to bridge basic science and clinical practice, pursuing reconstructive and wound surgery alongside research in regenerative medicine and photobiology. Looking ahead, I will continue to advance science-based clinical care while promoting research, education, and international collaboration. My goal is to communicate more widely the significance and value of plastic surgery.

Most importantly, I am committed to training the next generation of plastic surgeons who will shape the future of our discipline. I will devote myself to ensuring that Kobe University’s Department of Plastic Surgery is recognized and trusted both in Japan and internationally.

I am grateful for your continued support.