Harriet B. Randall, MD, the namesake of the Randall Amphitheater, was a 1929 graduate of the Loma Linda College of Medical Evangelists. She became an Honored Alumnus of Loma Linda University School of Medicine at the School of Medicine Alumni Association’s 1970 Alumni Postgraduate Convention.
Following graduation from CME, she began teaching at the University of California at Los Angeles. She started a relationship with the medical program of the Los Angeles Unified School District as a physician-inspector in the Department of Health and Corrective Physical Education.
Here she established a preventive medicine program through education and clinics. She developed an approach to family life and sex education based on co-operative efforts among parent, church, and school. Her most cherished project was a mental health program for teachers. She believed that a maladjusted teacher could damage a child’s interest and progress in school, either temporarily or permanently.
From 1960 to 1970, Dr. Randall served as Administrator of Health and Medical Services for Los Angeles City Schools where she supervised the organization’s entire health program. As such, her program was twofold: to provide medical services to students and to hold classes in the basics of health and good health practices.
In 1970, Dr. Randall started a drug education program for teachers, physicians, and public health personnel. This involved her staff with 800,000 students in the Los Angeles Unified School District. She presented papers at medical meetings around the world and in 1974 represented the United States in Sao Paulo, Brazil, at the First International Congress on Drug Addiction among University Students. Throughout her years as a school health administrator, Dr. Randall was in great demand as a speaker for community and education groups.
During her career, Dr. Randall joined the faculty of the Loma Linda University School of Medicine and eventually became an Associate Professor of Pediatrics. After her formal retirement in 1970, Dr. Randall completed the medical board requirements for specialization in child and adult psychiatry and began individual counseling with parents and children at the Pasadena Child Guidance Clinic.
Dr. Randall successfully combined a stellar professional career with her family life. As a result, in 1974, she became “California Mother of the Year” and first runner-up in the national “Mother of the Year” finals. Dr. Randall had a son and two daughters: Dwight became a Los Angeles attorney, and Eleanor Fanselau, MD, and Elizabeth Iskander, MD, both graduates of the Loma Linda University School of Medicine.
Dr. Randall served as President of the American School Health Association of which she was a fellow. In recognition of the quality and excellence of her contributions to school health, she received its Distinguished Service, Howe, and Anderson Awards. She also became a fellow of the American Public Health Association, the American Board of Preventive Medicine, and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
A significant financial contribution from Dr. Randall enabled Loma Linda University to construct an important auditorium on campus. It has been used since 1981 for classes and important meetings, including major press conferences. The University named the Randall Amphitheater in her honor.