by Mark Thomas
Recently back from a California vacation, Dr. Daryl Lynch shared his passion for travel, wine and work.
Dr. Lynch has been a full time physician at Children's Mercy Hospital since 1991. He has focused his entire career on Adolescent Medicine, "It's a young field of medicine, created about 1975 or so and then becoming eligible for board certification in 1994." Only about 500 Physicians worldwide are certified in his specialty. Lynch is the Senior Medical Director for Ambulatory Services at CMH as well as Vice Chair and medical representative for the Department of Pediatrics.
It takes 4 years of Medical School, 3 years of Residency, and 3 years of Fellowship to reach Dr. Lynch's certification. "With one more year of training, I could have been a plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills," said Lynch with a chuckle. It's apparent that he does not regret the choice; Working with teenagers his whole time at a leading pediatric hospital has been his true calling.
Recently the hospital participated in the Human Rights Campaign's Health Equity Index and was recognized for leadership in LGBT equality initiatives. Children's Mercy was the first hospital in Kansas City to receive the award.
Dr. Lynch notes that CMH supports a Transgender Clinic with a base of 100 families, one of largest in the country.
Lynch was instrumental in bringing Children's Mercy to the Mid-America GLCC , viewing the chamber as a valuable asset to the hospital for recruitment and support. Lynch is an enthusiastic supporter of the Chamber, enjoying the networking events personally and professionally, "Once I came out, I became a crusader."
He believes there are possibilities for the Chamber to find ways to broaden the organization's impact by reaching out to a greater diversity of businesses and including more "blue collar" professions.
Work and advocacy are priorities, but Dr. Lynch finds time for recreation as well. He is a member of 6 wine clubs and isn't shy about saying, "I like all kinds of wines." He is able and willing to search out good bottles.
"We love to travel," says Dr. Lynch, who shares his taste for good wine with his partner Rubin. "Everywhere we go, I say this is a nice place." The latest trip was to village near San Diego. Some very nice wine was purchased, albeit with a bit of adventure. At the airport (despite the winery's assurance), the case of bottles to be checked had to be repacked individually, requiring some scrambling between the terminal and a FedEx store for supplies. "I finally got my 12 bottles of wine on the plane, but at a bit extra cost."
Two weeks in Hawaii is an important yearly tradition. An Italian trip is in the near future. However, Kansas City always pulls back, "Every time we have one of these discussions, you know, Kansas City is a nice place. It's affordable, it's cultured, we've got a nice Gay community. We love our house and our neighbors!"
Lynch grew up in the remote southwestern Kansas town of Hugoton. The experience of a being an adolescent in a small community with limited support for LGBT youth was a major influence on his career choice.
He attended Friends University in Wichita and medical school at Kansas University. He has two daughters that he is most of proud of, making note that they, "Really like helping." The same can be said for Dr. Lynch.