Harbor-UCLA Department of Pediatrics has a new interim chairperson, Dr. Lynne Smith. She has been a part of the Department of Pediatrics for more than a dozen years and took the helm on May 8th, when Dr. Adam Jonas stepped down.

To learn more about Smith as she transitions into chairperson, I had the opportunity to sit down (yes, in her new office) with her and ask a few questions.

Were you born in Iowa?

No, actually I was born at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio and lived there for the first four years of my life. My dad was military. We moved to San Bernardino, and I lived there from age four until third grade. Then, I lived in Chantilly, VA until halfway through my junior year in high school. That’s when we moved back to San Bernardino and I graduated from San Grogonio High School. It was definitely small town girl moves to the city experience.

So, what’s your strong connection to Iowa?

My parents are from a tiny town in Iowa

[Albia] and we spent summers there when I was growing up. I think of it as home. I still subscribe to the hometown newspapers – The Monroe County News and the Albia Union Republican.

Is Iowa the reason you love baseball?

I got into baseball because of my paternal grandfather. He died a little before my fourth birthday and one of my most vivid memories from that time was with him. He asked me “Do you want to be a Barry?” [Barry is Smith’s maiden name.] I was jumping up and down and saying, “Yes, grandpa. Yes, I wanna be a Barry.” He said to me, “Then you have to be a Cards fan. All real Barrys are Cards fans.” I’ve been a St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan ever since.

Who’s your favorite player and why?

I love Ozzie Smith. He was the best outfielder and that wasn’t enough. He kept working to be the best hitter too. He never forgot he was working for the fans. I love his passion.

What lead you to Pediatrics?

I almost failed third grade because of strep throat. I had 21 episodes of strep throat in 24 months. My pediatrician won me, and my mom, over. I felt so vulnerable and he fixed that vulnerability, and I wanted to be like him.

Why did you choose Neonatology?

When I started my residency, I intensely didn’t want to do it. In medical school, we weren’t exposed to NICU very much and I didn’t see passion in it. I thought if I’m going to be awakened in the middle of the night, I want it to matter. Then, I found it does. And, I have the benefit of seeing the babies grow up. I direct the High-Risk Infant Clinic and have a long-term relationship with them because we follow them until they turn three years old. I plan to stay active in High-Risk Clinic even with my chair duties – I can’t give that up.

Why did you want to be the interim chairperson?

I have served as vice chair [for academic affairs] and was able to help foster young faculty to succeed. Also, I co-directed the medical student program and helped them on their pathway. I enjoy helping people achieve their dreams.

I like leading teams – and being a member of the team. We have an amazing, dedicated group of physicians on the Harbor Peds team. I want to keep this phenomenally successful department moving forward and help it to grow.

What unique quality do you bring to the job?

I’m not sure it’s unique, but I have a management style that is cooperative and team-oriented, with listening. But I also have the skills to make final decisions.

What do you think will be the challenges?

I’ll call them opportunities. Big ones are the Affordable Care Act and electronic medical records. We’ll need to find ways to leverage all of the computerized data to help our patients. When you ask faculty why are they at Harbor, almost everyone will say they are here for the patients. The Health Services Outcomes group is a great example – they are going into the community. I’m sure we’ll find ways to turn the challenges into opportunities to serve our patients.

I know you love your family and your patients, give us a little more insight about you with describing your best Lynne Day.

Wake-up, go to church; get donuts and hangout with family. [Smith’s nuclear family includes her husband, Scott and their two children, Ryan, age 15years, and Katie, age 13 years.] Then read a book, get in a nap, and connect with my parents or girlfriends and a long walk on the beach. Of course, a trip to Target has to fit in somewhere!

Smith’s closing words,  “I want everyone to know how much I enjoy being a pediatrician. I love it!”