We are pleased to report that the 2nd WEGECA meeting, held on November 1, 2025, was successfully completed with great attendance and enthusiasm.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to President Tanaka for his speech, and to Dr. Akiko Shiotani for kindly delivering the opening remarks. We also extend our heartfelt appreciation to all participants who joined us despite their busy schedules.

 

Dr.Shinji Tanaka, the President of JGES (left photo), Dr. Akiko Shiotani, the Director of Women Endoscopists Career Support Committee of JGES.

 

At this meeting, we had the honor of welcoming three outstanding early-career female physicians who are currently active overseas.
Dr. Sera Satoi (University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center) shared her experience in a U.S. fellowship program supported by Tokio Marine & Nichido Medical Service, known as the “N Program,” which aims to train excellent clinical physicians. She also provided valuable insights into the U.S. medical career system based on her current professional experience.

Dr.Satoi

 

Dr. Alice Ahyoung Lee (Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Stanford University) delivered a highly informative lecture on oocyte cryopreservation in the United States and how it is practically utilized in career planning by female physicians, incorporating interview-based perspectives from participants to enhance understanding.

Dr.Lee

 

Finally, Dr. Tanyaporn Chantarojanasiri (Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Rajavithi Hospital, Ministry of Public Health / College of Medicine, Rangsit University, Thailand) spoke about the current career landscape of female endoscopists in Thailand, where the presence and success of women physicians have been particularly remarkable in recent years, drawing from her own professional experiences.

Dr.Chantarojanasiri

 

All three lectures were highly inspiring and well received. Many female physicians in attendance expressed that the sessions provided them with deep inspiration, new perspectives, and strong motivation for shaping their future careers.
In addition to President Tanaka, we were honored by the presence of Dr. Ryozawa, President of the upcoming Annual Meeting of the Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society, and Dr. Itoi, President of the 3rd JGES International. Both showed great interest in the lectures and engaged enthusiastically with the speakers.
WEGECA aims to be more than a forum for information sharing; it strives to serve as a platform where female physicians can reflect on their careers, gain confidence, and take meaningful steps toward their future. Moving forward, we will continue to create opportunities to highlight the experiences of female physicians thriving internationally, while contributing to the development of an environment in which the next generation of women physicians can pursue global careers with confidence and aspiration.

Dr.Hitomi Minami, the Coordinator of the 3rd Assembly of WEGECA

 

Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society WEGECA
Akiko Shiotani (The Director of WEGECA)
Reiko Ashida(The chairperson of WEGECA and The coordinator of 2nd assembly of WEGECA)

 

Photos from the day’s event are here.

 

 

 

From the left is Dr.Satoi, Dr.Lee, Dr.Ashida, and Dr.Chantarojanasiri.