On the first day that Christyl Lawrence Hines dropped her newborn off at daycare for the first time, she started a new job taking care of kids.

Hines, who is a nurse practitioner, joined Covington Pediatrics Monday morning.

The Andalusia native had been working with Dr. Gil Holland in orthopedics, spending one day per week at Covington OB-GYN, working part time for hospice, and occasionally teaching clinicals for Troy University.

“I’ve always loved kids,” she said. “Pediatrics will definitely be a change of pace. I’m looking forward to spending time taking care of kids.”

It also helps to be in the same place every day, she said.

She has always wanted to work in the medical field.

“I’ve known since I was a very young girl,” she said. “I didn’t really know what a nurse practitioner was until I started seeing Cynthia Taylor. She really had an impact on me.”

It was the care she received from nurses after being in a car accident while a student at Troy that solidified the decision for her.

No matter what field she ultimately chose, she always knew she would come home to Andalusia, she said.

“I loved growing up here,” she said. “I had a tough time going away to college. I loved Troy, and had the best experience there. It was a large enough campus that you get the college feel, but small enough to have more of the personal relationship with your teachers.

“I felt very prepared for everything Troy had to offer,” she said. “But I always wanted to come back here.”

She and her husband, Tom, welcomed Saylor Hope into the world six weeks ago. They are also in the midst of building a house, which they hope to occupy in July.

Meanwhile, she is about to take the helm of the Andalusia Ballet board.

“I grew up dancing there,” she said. “I have danced with Mrs. Murphy since third grade, until I graduated high school. I missed it every second when graduated. I always knew I wanted to be part of the board.”

She also is active in Andalusia Junior Woman’s Club, and is helping plan her class 10-year reunion.