After obtaining his bachelor’s at Rice University, Dr. Takashima received his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine where he also served his general surgery internship and residency in otolaryngology—head and neck surgery.

He spent several years in Denver at National Jewish Medical Center, the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center and the Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center and 14 years at Baylor College of Medicine before taking the leadership role of chair in the Department of Otolaryngology at Houston Methodist Hospital. 

Dr. Takashima is double boarded in Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery and Sleep Medicine, and also received advanced training in rhinology, sinus and anterior skull base surgery.

Dr. Takashima specializes in minimally-invasive sinus procedures, sleep apnea surgery, and endoscopic skull base surgery. His research focuses on chronic rhinosinusitis, primarily to identify how alterations in the sinus biome may affect overall sinus health.

As department chair, Dr. Takashima leads a group of otolaryngologists with expertise in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, head and neck cancers, hearing and balance diseases, anterior and lateral skull base tumors, and voice and swallowing disorders. His focus is to enhance collaboration with clinicians and researchers across the hospital system, as well as improve surgical training and translational research opportunities through technological and digital innovations.