Takanashi Honored with Asian Pacific Island AwardBWH Nurse - For and about the Nursing Staff of Brigham and Women's HospitalTakanashi Honored with Asian Pacific Island AwardBWH Nurse - For and about the Nursing Staff of Brigham and Women's Hospital

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Takanashi Honored with Asian Pacific Island Award


Tomoko Takanashi and Jackie Somerville

From the time that Tomoko Takanashi, MS, RN, began at BWH, her colleagues have praised her thoughtfulness and compassion, often saying, "We are lucky to have her." 

Six years later, staff continue to praise Takanashi's dedication and honored her this spring with the 2012 Asian Pacific Islander Award.

"Tomoko's calm demeanor and gentle manner represent the hallmark of her professional practice," said her nursing director Eileen M. O'Connell, MS, RN, who nominated her for the award. "Tomoko has served as a role model to her peers in providing culturally sensitive care to the multicultural thoracic surgery population. She has mentored a number of senior nursing students during their practicum experiences, which has enabled her to impart her knowledge to the next generation of nurses."

For five years, the Department of Nursing has honored nurses of Asian and Pacific Island descent who strive to improve culturally-sensitive patient care on their units and help to prepare the next generation of multicultural nurses. 

Raised in Japan, Takanashi began her nursing career in Philadelphia in 2004 after earning an associates degree from the Mercer County College in New Jersey and a bachelor's degree in Nursing from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. After moving to Boston, she obtained her master's degree from Boston College. 

"I could not care for patients the way I do without the support of my colleagues on the unit. They are there every day to lend a hand," said Takanashi, who also thanked Nursing leadership for recognizing the work of nurses with awards like this one.  

A member of Sigma Theta Tau, Takanashi holds ANCC certification in medical surgical nursing and as an adult nurse practitioner. She has been actively involved in various professional, volunteer and community service activities.

The Department of Nursing also honored award nominees Maria Bentain-Melanson, MSN, RN, nurse educator for Shapiro 6 West, and Xiao Chen, MSN, RN, staff nurse on Tower 16CD. Both were recognized for serving as role models to their peers and providing culturally-sensitive care to patients.