Heritage Snapshot: Part 212

B. Lyn Behrens, MBBS, received her medical training at Sydney University in Australia, where she graduated in 1964. Following graduation she took a rotating internship at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital for Children in Sydney, and entered a pediatric residency program at Sydney's Royal Alexander Hospital in 1965. She continued her pediatric education at Loma Linda University Hospital in 1966, and subsequently served as chief resident at the Henrietta Egleston Hospital for Children in Atlanta, Georgia, and at the T. C. Thompson Children's Hospital in Chattanooga, Tennessee. In 1970, Dr. Behrens joined the faculty of the Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics. She became director of the pediatric residency program in 1975, a position she held until 1981 when she entered a fellowship program in Colorado. She rejoined the School of Medicine faculty in 1984 as director of the pediatric residency program and vice chair of the Department of Pediatrics. In 1986, Dr. David B. Hinshaw, Sr., the new Vice President for Medical Affairs at Loma Linda University, established a search committee to recruit a new dean for the School of Medicine. During the process he and Dr. Norman Woods, then president of Loma Linda University, noticed that there were no women on the list of candidates. So, they ran through the departments in their minds and Lyn Behrens [vice chair of the Department of Pediatrics] came to their attention. Dr. Behrens was the first pediatric resident on the Loma Linda campus. Dr. Hinshaw had been considering the start of a children’s hospital. Even though hospital administrators in general take a dim view of such facilities, because they chronically lose money and need to be subsidized, Dr. Behrens not only thought the idea had merit, but also was enthusiastic about it. Not only did Hinshaw consider her to be a person with considerable vision, but also he just liked her. She was very personable. The challenge of selecting a dean was complicated by the fact that nobody being considered seemed to fit. After discussing the possibility with Dr. Woods, Hinshaw called her in and asked her, “Would you be interested in an invitation to be dean if that should come about?” Dr. Behrens was stunned and wanted to think about it. During the next interaction she said, “Well, if people wanted me and thought it was best, I would try to do my duty. I’m not seeking it.” Hinshaw responded, “Well, with your permission, I’m going to propose your name.” B. Lyn Behrens, MBBS, became dean of the Loma Linda University School of Medicine in the summer of 1986. According to Hinshaw, “There’s a lot to be said for that selection. She’s a very able person, it was time for a change, a new voice, and a new look at things…. I think the Lord guided us in that decision.” Dr. Behrens was Dean of the School of Medicine from 1986 to 1991; Interim Dean from 1993 to 1994, President of Loma Linda University from 1990 to 2001; and President of Loma Linda University Medical Center from 1999 to 2008. In 1995, she was appointed President of Adventist Health Systems/Loma Linda (AHS/LL). And in 1997, she became president and CEO of Loma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center (LLUAHSC), the successor corporation of AHS/LL and the new umbrella organization for Loma Linda University and Loma Linda University Medical Center. She served as president of Loma Linda University Behavioral Medicine Center from 1999 to 2004. In 2008, Dr. Behrens was named President Emerita of LLUAHSC (now known to the public as Loma Linda University Health).