The Legacy Interviews
Episode 9 with Jeanette Takamura
The Legacy Interviews hosted by Ken Dychtwald, a 12-part podcast series, features interviews with diverse pathfinders who have spent decades in the fields of aging, health and social services. It aims to capture the wisdom and character of gerontology’s pioneers to inform, inspire and guide current and future professionals in the field of aging for years to come.
Jeanette C. Takamura, PhD, is professor and dean emerita of the Columbia School of Social Work, where she served as the school’s first female dean. During her tenure as dean, nine research centers were established, the majority with international or global foci. Dr. Takamura served as the Assistant Secretary for Aging at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services from 1997 to 2001, leading the development and enactment of a modernized Older Americans Act and establishing the National Family Caregiver Support Program. Earlier, Dr. Takamura was a practicing social worker serving youth and families, and held senior executive positions in Hawaii state government and faculty and administrative appointments in higher education in Hawaii and California. She has served on many national and international boards, commissions and working groups, and is a fellow of the National Academies for Public Administration and Social Insurance. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Lucy Stone Award from the White House, and she was also named a Social Work Pioneer by the National Association of Social Workers Foundation.
The Legacy Interviews hosted by Ken Dychtwald, a 12-part podcast series, features interviews with diverse pathfinders who have spent decades in the fields of aging, health and social services. It aims to capture the wisdom and character of gerontology’s pioneers to inform, inspire and guide current and future professionals in the field of aging for years to come.
Jeanette C. Takamura, PhD, is professor and dean emerita of the Columbia School of Social Work, where she served as the school’s first female dean. During her tenure as dean, nine research centers were established, the majority with international or global foci. Dr. Takamura served as the Assistant Secretary for Aging at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services from 1997 to 2001, leading the development and enactment of a modernized Older Americans Act and establishing the National Family Caregiver Support Program. Earlier, Dr. Takamura was a practicing social worker serving youth and families, and held senior executive positions in Hawaii state government and faculty and administrative appointments in higher education in Hawaii and California. She has served on many national and international boards, commissions and working groups, and is a fellow of the National Academies for Public Administration and Social Insurance. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Lucy Stone Award from the White House, and she was also named a Social Work Pioneer by the National Association of Social Workers Foundation.