Davis physician Joan Smith-Maclean has lived most of her life in town and is a leader in training future doctors. Robin Affrime/Courtesy photo

Joan Smith-Maclean is a popular physician in town. She has lived in Davis almost all of her life and has been a leader in training future physicians.

Robin: Where were you born?

Joan: I was actually born in Fort Campbell, Ky. My dad was a dentist in Davis and he was called to serve in the Korean War. When I was 4 months old, my family moved back to Davis and became longtime residents here. They lived the rest of their lives in Davis. I also have a younger sister, Janet.

What schools did you go to?

I went to Central Davis Elementary through fourthgrade. Then I attended North Davis Elementary for two years. Davis Junior High was on both sides of B Street when I attended there. Then it became Emerson Junior High. Half of the students went to Emerson and half went to Holmes Junior High. The school is now administrative offices on one side, and City Hall on the other side of B Street.

Everybody went to Davis Senior High School.

Tell us about your medical training and desire to be a physician.

I always knew that I wanted to be a doctor, ever since I was little. I liked the sciences. I went to UCD undergrad. Then I continued on to get a masters degree in exercise physiology and went to Michigan State because they had a program in this.

I worked in cardiac rehab for three years in Michigan and just knew that it was now or never to go back to train as a physician. I went to medical school at Michigan State. When I graduated, I applied to several residency programs, including UCD. That was my first choice, particularly since I already had a baby and my mom and dad were in Davis.

I did get accepted and returned to go to the UCDMC Family Medicine Residency Program. I chose family medicine because I like pediatrics, internal medicine and OB. In family medicine, you get to do everything. You also get to know your patients and often the whole family.

We met when you were chief resident in family medicine and supervised medical students at the Davis Community Clinic. You were wonderful to work with. You supervised second-year medical students in the evening clinics and volunteered for a few years after. What is the role of a chief resident?

The Chief Resident is a liaison between the residents and faculty, helps with scheduling issues, call coverage issues, educational opportunities and inter-resident issues.

You also are very athletic and in terrific shape. What sports did you participate in at college and what sports do you do now?

At UCD, I participated in gymnastics. I also swam as a young kid. However, I really loved water polo. It was sometimes difficult to find a place to play, because then it was not recognized as a sport for women. Now I swim with the Davis Aquatics Masters.

Tell us about practicing family medicine after residency.

I was lucky to be able to join Joe Scherger and Betty Pattersons family practice. We had offices in Dixon and Davis and were affiliated with Sutter Health. Joe was very interested in starting a residency program here.Instead, he moved to San Diego to start a residency program for a large health care system there.

When he left, he asked me to take over the project of starting the Sutter Health Family Medicine Program which began in 1995. I love teaching and was excited to start a program housed in community-based practices. We now have 21 residents, six in Davis and 15 in Sacramento.

We have been able to recruit many of our fine graduates to practice in our community.

I know that you are involved in leadership positions in Sutter Health.

I was chief of staff at Sutter Davis Hospital for two years. I was on the Sutter Health Sacramento-Sierra Regional Board for 11 years and on the board of Sutter West Medical Group for several years. I am now in my eighthyear on the Sutter Health Board of Directors.

I know that the residency program as well as participation in hospital committees and the Sutter Board take time away from your practice.

Yes, now I am 30% direct patient care and 70% teaching and administration.

Can you tell us a little more about your family.

My husband is Gerry Maclean. He is a building contractor. My daughter, Hayley, is an OB/GYN in practice in Sacramento. She and her family also live in Davis. She had two babies during her residency (also at UCD). My grandsons are now 4 and almost-2 years old.

You must be very proud of her. That is not easy to do, as you know.

Yes, she is exceptional.

Please tell us about your contribution to The Davis Enterprise.

In 1971 during my senior year of high school, I did an internship with The Enterprise. It was like that column no longer exists; it was like Comings & Goings. After I graduated, I became the society editor of the paper for two weeks, while the real editor was on vacation. It was a fascinating experience, covering local events and interviewing new people in town.

What do you like most about Davis?

It was a great place to grow up. The people are wonderful down-to-earth, engaged in the community, caring. So many are well traveled and educated in a variety of fields. We can always learn from each other.

I love our neighborhood as well. We have lived there for 26 years. Davis is in such a great location, with easy access to Lake Tahoe, San Francisco and the Napa Valley. It is a great town to bike in. I also love the Davis Aquatic Masters.

Actually, a lot of the above describes you. You are humble and down-to-earth. You are caring and interesting. You have contributed so much to the health of our community. I am glad to have known you for many years. Thank you for your time.

Robin Affrime is a longtime resident of Davis and a recently retired health care executive. You can reach her at [emailprotected] for comments or suggestions of people you would like to know more about. This column publishes every other month.

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Conversations: Medicine and mentoring with Joan Smith-Maclean - Davis Enterprise