Pictured: Dr. Christie Izutsu
Dr. Christie Izutsu has become an Assistant Professor in the University of Hawaiʻi Department of Medicine at the John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM), where she earned her MD in 2011.
We asked Dr. Izutsu some questions to catch up with what she has been doing since she graduated and to look back at some of her favorite memories from her past and current “JABSOM life”.
Describe what you do at JABSOM now.
I work with third year medical students as the Internal Medicine Clerkship Director. I am also serving as faculty advisor for the MD student Internal Medicine Interest Group, and as a Clinical Skills Preceptor in Nephrology.
What do you like most about the UH medical school?
The sense of ‘ohana that I get the moment I step foot on campus – from the late nights spent studying, to the annual MS1-MS2 Olympics and the festivities for Match Day. To this day, med school has been one of the best experiences of my life, and I can’t wait to give back to the students in hopes that they have as amazing an experience as I did!
How long have you been with the University? What other kinds of work have you done?
I returned to JABSOM in March, 2017. I completed a nephrology fellowship at the University of California San Diego in June 2016, and joined a private nephrology group in September 2016. Other types of work I have done include traveling to American Samoa with Dr. James Musgrave (a Nephrology, Pediatric Nephrology specialist and JABSOM Clinical Professor) to help run the dialysis unit there.
What’s your favorite hobby (or two or three!)
Dancing, hiking and baking.
Your favorite spot in Hawai’i is (and why):
The top of the Koko Head stairs. It’s so peaceful up there, and it’s definitely worth the sweat!
Your favorite place outside of Hawai’i is (and why):
San Diego – it’s where I’ve spent a lot of time (college, residency and fellowship) and have so many great friends and memories from there.
Keep in touch!
If you are a JABSOM alumni, we would love to feature you in a future Q and A story. Contact Tina Shelton Communications Director, or for more information about the JABSOM Alumni Association, contact Julie Inouye Associate Director of Development and Alumni Engagement. Her telephone is (808) 692-0873