Hagåtña, Guam – Governor Lou Leon Guerrero and Lt. Governor Josh Tenorio issued the following statements on the passing of Dr. Margaret Hattori-Uchima: 

“We join the Island of Guam in mourning the passing of Dr. Margaret Hattori-Uchima, a giant among giants in the nursing community whose leadership helped strengthen our healthcare system and turn the tide on the pandemic,” said Governor Lou Leon Guerrero. “Margaret was a key strategic advisor, partner, close friend, and longtime nurse colleague. She was someone who very naturally brought a light to any room she entered, and was the bedrock of hope for countless nursing students, social workers, and hospital patients over several decades. Our island owes a debt of gratitude for her lifetime of achievements in moving mountains, crossing oceans, and navigating the changing landscape of healthcare to provide our people the absolute best care possible. Jeff and I send our heartfelt condolences and love to her husband, Katsuyoshi ‘Kat’ Uchima, and their daughters, Marijana and Angelina.”

“Our people will remember Margaret as the nurse who invested so much of her career in healing the heart of Guam’s healthcare delivery system and advancing the state of healthcare service,” said Lt. Governor Josh Tenorio. “On the front lines of the pandemic, she was instrumental in the success of our islandwide testing and vaccination sites, and led the expeditious deployment of nursing graduates at our time of greatest need, cohort after cohort. Even in her personal capacity, she dedicated many years to helping homeless people, eliminating homelessness, and serving as the lead on homeless population initiatives. We join the island community in honoring a truly exceptional healer, mentor, and advocate whose legacy has made the future of Guam transcendently brighter.”

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