Tony Smith, BS(HCM), MLT(ASCP)

Choosing a career in healthcare was like joining the family business, Tony said. Growing up, two of his aunts—both nurse practitioners—encouraged him to find his own passion for helping others through his interest in laboratory sciences. Tony also loves working with kids. For over 15 years, he taught martial arts and coached youth baseball, so it’s probably no accident that his career led him to pediatrics. Tony’s career began as a laboratory assistant for Gundersen Health System in Wisconsin, where he routinely worked in pediatric and adult urgent care, inpatient care, and in the emergency room while he attended school to obtain his associate degree as a medical laboratory technician (MLT). Later, as a technician in transfusion medicine at Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester, Minnesota, he expanded his knowledge of transfusion medicine and cellular therapeutics. Tony said he loved the straight science of lab work but wanted to be closer to the people side of healthcare. His pediatric interest grew during his 16 years at Children’s Hospital Colorado, where he worked in various preanalytic, technical, lab operations, and management roles, including laboratory stewardship and revenue cycle management. Although he’s moved from a clinical setting to consulting, his diverse background strengthens what ARUP can do to help our clients serve their youngest patients. A self-described problem solver, Tony believes it’s his job to advocate for the needs of children in areas such as test selection, reference intervals, and treatment. “Pediatrics requires such a special touch when it comes to healthcare, and lab medicine is no different,” he said. Tony works for ARUP from Denver, Colorado, and outside of work enjoys spending time with his wife and son, exploring Colorado’s beautiful landscapes while camping and hiking.