Pam Smith walked into Lakeview Center 55 years ago not knowing she would help shape the organization into what it is today. What started as a role answering the crisis line turned into a decades-long journey of leadership, service and professional growth. This July, Pam transitions into retirement, closing one of the most impactful chapters in our organization’s history.

Pam currently serves as director of Business Operations, overseeing a wide range of critical functions including medical records, licensing, front desk operations, insurance credentialing and more. As a leader with Lakeview Center’s parent company, LifeView Group, Pam’s work touches nearly countless facets of the organization—from compliance to client registration—supporting thousands of clients each year.

From that first role, Pam’s desire to grow and serve led her through a variety of positions across both clinical and administrative areas. She became Lakeview Center’s Baker Act Coordinator in the early 1970s, conducted home visits, trained agencies across Florida, and even accompanied patients to the Florida State Hospital each week. Later, she transitioned into leadership roles in the business office, where she would spearhead massive organizational improvements—centralizing medical records, developing the client registration system and refining audit processes.

“Every five years, my manager would ask if I was staying. I’d say, ‘Is there anything new I can learn?’ And he always found me a new project. That’s how five years turned into 55.”

Pam credits her success to the team around her and the values LifeView Group instills. “I couldn’t do what I do without the team I have,” she says. “We manage the business side, but we also work very closely with clinical staff. It’s all about collaboration. We’re not just coworkers—we’re partners in this work.”

As she prepares to retire, Pam isn’t stepping away because she’s finished—but because she’s choosing to prioritize the people who helped her get here. She’ll be spending more time caring for her 102-year-old mother and enjoying time with her husband, children and grandchildren.

As she reflects on her journey, Pam is filled with gratitude. “It makes me happy to come here every day—not just because of what I do, but because I enjoy the people. LifeView Group has been wonderful to me. I’ve been blessed.”