Jonathan Takahashi, MD

After completing a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Carleton College in Minnesota, Jonathan spent a year on the island of Kaben in the Marshall Islands, teaching grades 3-8 in a bilingual environment. In addition to the challenges of under-resourced education, he was able to see firsthand the consequences of severely limited health care. This experience ultimately inspired him to become a doctor and to work with communities to improve health and prevent disease. He returned to the United States and earned both his medical degree and Master in Public Health from Harvard. As part of his MPH program, he conducted a program evaluation of the Mind-Body Program for Successful Aging, a group health promotion initiative for seniors in the Boston area. Jonathan’s personal practice of yoga and meditation has motivated his interest in integrating techniques from these traditions with Western medicine to better support health, prevent disease, and help patients manage chronic illness. He sees potential for mind-body medicine to improve not only individual well-being but also the well-being of groups and communities. He finished his residency in family medicine at UW-Madison in 2015 and completed an academic integrative medicine fellowship. Outside of work, Jonathan enjoys music, playing piano, singing, cooking, being outdoors, exercising, and spending time with family.