Ryotaro Kato, MD

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My specialty:
Critical Care Medicine

My affiliation:
Kaiser Permanente provider

I speak: English

My gender: Male

Referral required.

Resources
Standards of quality

Where I practice

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About me

I was born in Tokyo, where I later met my wife, and spent my childhood in Australia, Egypt, and the United States. After attending high school in Maryland, I earned my medical degree from the University of Tokyo in Japan. I then completed my internship and residency at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, followed by fellowship training at the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania. I also earned a law degree from Washington University in St. Louis, where I was named to the dean’s list.

 

Board-certified in internal medicine and critical care, I’m a clinical assistant professor at the University of Hawaii, John A. Burns School of Medicine. I’m affiliated with the American College of Physicians, the Society of Critical Care Medicine, and the American Bar Association. In addition, I’ve received multiple teaching awards and an international scholar award.

 

Our son’s love of baseball brought us to the islands. We quickly came to appreciate the warmth of the people and the natural beauty here, and we’re grateful to call Hawaii home.

 

About my practice

 

Growing up in a family of diplomats, I dreamed of building bridges across cultures through mutual respect and a shared commitment to bettering people's lives. At Kaiser Permanente, I can serve a diverse community, combining the strengths of Japanese and American medicine.

 

My training in internal medicine, anesthesiology, and law has taught me to be an advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves. I strive to listen with empathy, communicate with honesty, and be there during life's difficult moments. Along with our outstanding critical care team, I want every patient and family to feel heard, supported, and never alone.

 

My interests include sepsis physiology, organ blood flow, patient safety, quality improvement, risk management, and medical education. In the U.S. and Japan, I’ve addressed multidisciplinary collaboration, health care policy, and “Just Culture,” which manages errors in a non-punitive manner, resulting in a safer and more efficient care environment.

 

Formerly, I led the flagship institution of Japan’s largest medical system. As hospital director, I advanced patient safety, multidisciplinary care, and hospital governance, guiding the institution through a complex organizational landscape. Through my experiences with different cultures, I learned to appreciate diverse perspectives. This lesson continues to guide me as a physician.

 

How I thrive

 

I enjoy doing activities with others, whether surfing with friends, playing tennis with my wife, playing catch with my son, or walking our dog. This enhances my sense of connection and well-being, helping me care for my patients with renewed energy and clarity. I also enjoy reading, watching films, spending time outdoors, cycling, watching youth baseball, and traveling. I volunteer with a Japanese non-profit organization that provides a nurturing afterschool alternative for elementary school children. To support my own health, I prioritize nutritious eating, home cooking, good sleep, and preventive medicine.

My office

Referral requirements

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Languages spoken by medical staff

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My training, certifications & licensing

Medical school

University of Tokyo Faculty of Medicine

Board certification

Critical Care Medicine

American Board of Internal Medicine

Internal Medicine

American Board of Internal Medicine

To verify board certification for an individual practitioner, please visit the American Board of Medical Specialties, the American Medical Association, or the American Osteopathic Association websites.

Medical training

Fellowship

Critical Care Medicine

UPMC Medical Education
Pittsburgh , PA

Internship

Internal Medicine

Barnes Jewish Hospital Washington University
St. Louis , MO

Residency

Internal Medicine

Barnes Jewish Hospital Washington University
St. Louis , MO

Joined Permanente Medical Group

2026

Provider ID

24397

My hospitals

I have admitting privileges at the following hospitals:


Moanalua Medical Center
3288 Moanalua Road, Honolulu, HI 96819
Facility details

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This page was last updated on: 10/25/2026