SHELTON, WA – Mason Health is proud to recognize Physical Therapist John Takagi, PT, DPT, as the Employee of the Month for October 2025. Since joining Mason Health in 2015, Takagi has brought compassion, expertise, and a deep commitment to patient care to his role, making a lasting impact on both his colleagues and the community.

Takagi’s journey into physical therapy was inspired by a personal mission to promote healthier lifestyles, shaped by his own family’s health challenges. “My dad passed away at 46,” Takagi shared. “That got me thinking about what kind of career I wanted — something that could help people live longer, healthier lives.”

Originally from Idaho, Takagi earned his undergraduate degree at Boise State University and later completed his Doctorate in Physical Therapy at the University of Montana in Missoula. He began his career in in-patient neuro rehabilitation at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise before relocating to the Pacific Northwest with his wife and son. Drawn to the collaborative environment of Mason Health, Takagi found a professional home where he could work closely with nurses, certified nursing assistants and physicians in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

Takagi has contributed to several key initiatives at Mason Health, including the Early Mobilization Committee for intubated patients and the Swing Bed program. He is passionate about the evolving science of physical therapy, particularly the growing evidence supporting modalities like cryotherapy, light therapy, and manual techniques. 

“It’s exciting to see research validating what we see firsthand—that movement and manual therapy truly help people heal,” he said.

Outside of work, Takagi enjoys an active lifestyle with his family, including backpacking, camping, and mountain biking. He also coaches his 12-year-old son’s wrestling team, the Olympia Silverbacks, and shares adventures with their goldendoodle.

Mason Health, Public Hospital District No. 1 of Mason County is ISO 9001 Quality Management System certified by Det Norske Veritas (DNV) and is a licensed and accredited acute care hospital with a level four emergency trauma designation. The Board of Hospital District Commissioners are Don Welander, President, Darrin Moody, Secretary, and Lori Brady, Trustee. Mason General Hospital and Mason Clinic are ENERGY STAR® certified and Mason Health is the recipient of one Practice Greenhealth Environmental Excellence Award, three Partner for Change Awards, two Greening the Operating Room Awards, the Making Medicine Mercury Free Award and the 2025 Emerald Award. To learn more about Mason Health’s sustainability efforts, visit https://www.masonhealth.com/about/sustainability-environmental-stewardship. There are more than 100 physicians on staff in 19 specialties. For more information or to find a health care provider, visit www.masonhealth.com. To learn more about DNV, visit www.dnv.com/healthcare.

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