Guam officials mourn passing of Hattori-Uchima

Hattori-Uchima

University of Guam officials issued the following statements about the untimely passing of Dr. Margaret Hattori-Uchima, the dean of the UOG School of Health, who died during a paddleboarding incident on Monday when she was pulled over the reef in rough surf.

From University of Guam president Thomas W. Krise: 
“We are heartbroken by this overwhelming loss, and our thoughts and prayers are with Dr. Margaret’s family, loved ones, and her colleagues at the School of Health and across our University. A bright light of our community has gone dark, and we are devastated to lose such a vibrant spirit way before her time. Her dedication, compassion, kindness, and understanding will inspire us all forevermore.”  

From Anita Borja Enriquez, senior vice president and provost: 
“We are devastated by the passing of Dean Margaret. She was a champion for supporting disadvantaged and underserved populations and for advancing the nursing profession and health care on island and throughout the region. She will be dearly missed. Our deepest condolences and love to her family.” 

As a registered nurse for 35 years, a faculty member at UOG since August 2001, and the dean of the School of Health since 2014, Hattori-Uchima exemplified what it means to be a Triton and displayed true leadership in her service. She has been an advocate for improving the quality of health care in the region and has provided leadership in the study and alleviation of health disparities. She also served for more than a decade with the Guam Homeless Coalition. 

Speaker Therese Terlaje also issued the following statement on behalf of the 36th Guam Legislature:

“Our island mourns the tragic loss of Dr. Margaret Hattori-Uchima, dean of the University of Guam School of Health and registered nurse for 34 years.  Dr. Hattori has also been an educator for 23 years, facilitating and advancing educational opportunities in her profession for Guam’s nurses and social workers for decades,” stated Terlaje.

Hattori-Uchima has been recognized with such accolades as the 2019 Nurse of the Year from the Guam Nurses Association, American Academy of Nursing 2020 Class of Fellows as the first fellow from Guam, 2021 COVID Hero recognized by KUAM, and the 2022 Public Citizen Award from the National Association of Social Workers Guam Chapter, where she was honored with a resolution from the 36th Guam Legislature.

“Dr. Hattori-Uchima was in a category of exceptional women of Guam, whose tireless commitment to advancing public health and welfare made a difference in so many lives, most especially our patients.  She was a visionary and a catalyst for change.  As the chairperson for the Legislature’s Committee on Health, I trusted Dr. Hattori-Uchima’s institutional knowledge to improve the quality of healthcare on Guam and to ensure we remove all impediments to growing our local workforce and meeting Guam’s critical need for highly skilled nurses, social workers, nurse assistants, and other healthcare professionals,” stated Terlaje.

As a dedicated professional, Hattori-Uchima set a high bar for her contributions in advancing healthcare and public welfare including advocating for disadvantaged communities on Guam and in the region, commitment to the homeless as a long-time member of the Guam Homeless Coalition, and work with the Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program and the Pacific Island Partnership for Cancer Health Equity.

“On behalf of the 36th Guam Legislature, our heartfelt condolences and prayers go out to Dr. Hattori-Uchima’s family, students, friends and close associates.” (Saipan Tribune)