Dr. Daniel S. Hsia, 35
Assistant professor, LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center
As chronic diseases become widespread throughout Louisiana, Dr. Daniel Hsia is leading the fight against them. Hsia works to develop treatments and therapies for diabetes and obesity as an assistant professor at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center. He was recently awarded a $1.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to establish clinical trials in Baton Rouge to expand research opportunities for children. In addition to his research and seeing patients in clinical trials, Hsia is part of the Mayor’s Healthy City Initiative and speaks at conferences locally and around the world on childhood obesity and diabetes prevention. He’s also involved with several professional organizations, including The Obesity Society, The American Diabetes Association, The Pediatric Endocrine Society and the Endocrine Society.
NAME THREE MAJOR PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
- Being named a chief resident during my last year of residency at LSU Health Science Center – New Orleans.
- Becoming board certified in internal medicine, pediatrics, adult endocrinology and pediatric endocrinology.
- Being awarded a federal grant from the National Institutes of Health for $1.5 million to establish a clinical trials site in Baton Rouge to expand research opportunities for the children of Louisiana.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR VOLUNTEER & COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS AND INVOLVEMENT.
I like talking to people about their health. This is why I spend time helping to organize Pennington Biomedical’s annual conference on childhood obesity, and I recently had the opportunity to talk about diabetes prevention at the men’s health conference, which is held annually at Pennington. I am a part of the Mayor’s Healthy City Initiative, which is a great way to give back to the community and to promote healthy lifestyles.
I also spend a lot of time talking with my colleagues who are also working to fight chronic disease at health and medical conferences both in Baton Rouge and around the world. Beyond that, I have been involved with several professional organizations, including The Obesity Society, the American Diabetes Association, the Pediatric Endocrine Society and the Endocrine Society.
NAME ONE BOOK THAT HAS INSPIRED YOU PROFESSIONALLY.
On Doctoring, edited by Richard Reynolds and John Stone, was really inspiring to me because it talks a lot about the importance of the doctor-patient relationship.
WHEN YOU WERE A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP?
A paleontologist – I was fascinated by dinosaurs.
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB, HOW OLD WERE YOU AND WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM IT?
Although I didn’t get paid, my first job was volunteering at a local nursing home. I learned the importance of taking time and listening.
WHAT IS THE STRANGEST JOB YOU’VE EVER HAD?
You see and learn a lot during your medical training. I can’t say I’ve ever had a “strange” job, but no two days are ever alike! You have to expect the unexpected!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE FOR A BUSINESS LUNCH IN BATON ROUGE, AND WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DISH THERE?
Albasha. I love the schwarma plate.
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT?
Becoming a dad.
HOW DO YOU GET PUMPED UP BEFORE A BIG MEETING, PRESENTATION OR PITCH?
I take a few deep breaths and just jump in.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST FULFILLING MOMENT IN YOUR CAREER SO FAR?
Getting my first National Institutes of Health grant recently has been the most fulfilling moment thus far, because it took years of work and collaboration. It is a major step toward increasing access to clinical research for children around the state, which ultimately improves healthcare here at home.
WHAT WAS YOUR PROFESSIONAL “AHA MOMENT?”
When I realized the importance of continuity of care, especially for my patients who live with a lifelong medical condition.
WHAT IS YOUR BEST PRODUCTIVITY HACK?
Two computer monitors = double the work.
WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED THE HARD WAY?
Pay attention to the details!
WHAT ABOUT YOUR JOB WOULD SHOCK CUSTOMERS OR CLIENTS IF THEY KNEW ABOUT IT?
I get to work with people all over the world.
HOW DO YOU TYPICALLY DRESS FOR WORK—CASUAL? PROFESSIONAL? BUSINESS CASUAL? OTHER?
Business casual with the occasional need for scrubs.
WHAT PART OF YOUR JOB DO YOU LOVE? WHAT PART DO YOU HATE?
I love interacting with patients, research participants and their families, as well as teaching future doctors.
I hate the paperwork.
WHAT IS THE BEST COMPLIMENT YOU’VE EVER GOTTEN FROM A COLLEAGUE OR BOSS?
You bring out the best in everyone around you.
MAC OR PC?
PC.
ARE YOU ACTIVE ON SOCIAL MEDIA? IF SO, ON WHICH PLATFORMS ARE YOU MOST ACTIVE?
Not at all… Don’t have the time.
HOW MANY TEXTS DO YOU SEND ON AN AVERAGE DAY? HOW MANY EMAILS?
Texts: 15.
Emails: 30 at least.
HOW LOW WILL YOU ALLOW YOUR REMAINING PHONE OR COMPUTER BATTERY LIFE GET (IN %) BEFORE YOU HAVE AN ANXIETY ATTACK?
5%.
HOW MANY UNREAD MESSAGES ARE IN YOUR INBOX RIGHT NOW?
15.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE APP AT THE MOMENT?
Google Maps. I hate traffic.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT OF THE PAST DECADE?
The smartphone. I can check my email all the time.
WHAT TECHNOLOGY DO YOU WISH WAS NEVER INVENTED?
The smartphone. Everyone knows I can check my email all the time.
WHAT TIME DO YOU GET UP ON WORKDAY MORNINGS?
5:30 to 6 a.m.
BREAKFAST AT HOME? BREAKFAST ON THE GO? BREAKFAST AT YOUR DESK? NO BREAKFAST AT ALL?
Usually breakfast on the go, but I have to eat breakfast.
THE SAYING GOES: ‘BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD.’ SPECIFICALLY, WHAT ARE YOU ‘BEING’ TO MAKE BATON ROUGE BETTER?
I am being a caretaker for our community. I’m working on finding new ways to address the medical conditions that affect our community such as obesity and diabetes, and I’m also teaching the next generation of doctors —all important aspects of my job that I absolutely enjoy.
WHEN DID YOU REALIZE YOU WERE “GROWN UP”?
When I was 19 years old and put on a white coat for the first time in medical school.
WHAT WAS THE BEST VACATION YOU HAVE EVER TAKEN?
Has to be Maui.
FAVORITE GIFT YOU WERE GIVEN AS A CHILD?
An Optimus Prime action figure that transformed into an 18-wheeler.
WHICH TALENT OR SUPERPOWER WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO HAVE AND WHY?
The power to clone myself so I can get more done.
WHAT’S A NICKNAME YOUR FRIENDS OR FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE FOR YOU?
Some of my coworkers call me “The Flash” because they always catch me walking quickly between meetings and seeing participants in our clinic.
WHAT ARE YOU SUPERSTITIOUS ABOUT?
I wouldn’t say I’m superstitious, but I did have an old Jesuit High School sweatshirt that I wore during lots of tests in medical school, which I hoped would bring me luck.
WHO FASCINATES YOU?
My parents. They are absolutely my inspiration.
WHICH FICTIONAL CHARACTER DO YOU MOST IDENTIFY WITH?
Baymax from Disney’s Big Hero 6. He’s a robot with a big heart.
FAVORITE DRINK?
Lemonade.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BAND OR SONG?
Better Than Ezra, This Time of Year.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE?
The original Star Wars movies, although Episode VII was pretty good.
WHO WOULD PLAY YOU IN A MOVIE?
Ken Jeong.
WHAT SCARED YOU AS A CHILD, AND WHAT SCARES YOU NOW?
What scares me now is seeing some of our children being diagnosed with diseases like type 2 diabetes so early in life. Type 2 diabetes used to be a disease of older age, but now many of our lifestyle factors like an unhealthy diet and too little exercise are putting our children at risk.
IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR 18-YEAR-OLD SELF?
Hang on… It’s going to be a bumpy ride, but it all works out in the end.
PETS?
Don’t have any pets.
HAVE YOU HAD ANY MEMORABLE CELEBRITY ENCOUNTERS? WHAT HAPPENED?
I saw Pat Morita (Mr. Miyagi from The Karate Kid) at Disney World when I was a child.
TELL US ABOUT A MOMENT THAT CHANGED YOUR LIFE.
When I got married to my amazing wife.
WHAT’S THE NEXT BIG PERSONAL OR CAREER CHALLENGE YOU PLAN TO TAKE ON?
The next challenge is to continue expanding the impact of the work we do at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center.
WHAT CONCERNS YOU MOST ABOUT THE FUTURE?
Louisiana’s chronic disease rate is concerning because it costs our state billions of dollars each year and impacts the quality of life for our citizens. Our work at Pennington Biomedical aims to combat these chronic diseases to create a healthier Louisiana.
WHAT GIVES YOU THE MOST HOPE ABOUT THE FUTURE?
My children. I see all of their potential, and they give me the most hope for the future.
WHAT WOULD BE YOUR ADVICE FOR FUTURE FORTY UNDER 40 HONOREES?
Give your all every day but always remember to be humble.
DO YOU PLAN TO BE IN THE CAPITAL REGION FIVE YEARS FROM NOW? WHY OR WHY NOT?
Yes, I plan to be in the Capital Region. There are still more things we can do to improve people’s health. Plus, I can’t wait to see the Baton Rouge Health District come to fruition.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST HOPE FOR BATON ROUGE?
I hope that Baton Rouge can become a beacon of health for the state and the region.
DO YOU HAVE A BUCKET LIST? IF SO, WHAT ARE THE TOP 3 THINGS ON IT?
- Watch the Saints win a Superbowl… That one is checked off!
- Play a round of golf at Augusta National (the Masters course).
- See my future grandchildren grow up.
