Ken Hashimoto

Ken Hashimoto (橋本 健, June 19, 1931 – November 9, 2017) was a Japanese professor of dermatology resident in the United States, who pioneered research in skin disease using electron microscopy and histochemistry.

After graduating in medicine, he moved to the United States in 1956, and completed his training in dermatology at the University of Maryland and Massachusetts General Hospital.

His name is connected with two rare skin conditions, congenital self-healing reticulohistiocytosis and the blistering transient bullous dermolysis of the newborn.

[6] In addition, Transient bullous dermolysis of the newborn is named after Hashimoto who first described this condition with characteristic blister formations soon after birth, followed by rapid healing with or without scarring, in 1985.

[3] In addition, he was supportive in alleviating the anxieties of Japanese dermatology students who travelled to the United States to study.

[3] Throughout his time in Memphis, Tennessee, Hashimoto enjoyed fishing and his motorboat, which he would drive to local rivers and lakes for an annual trip to the Gulf of Mexico.