Dr. Harold S. Robinson, a key figure in the establishment of the School of Rehabilitation Medicine in 1961 and long-time supporter of the occupational therapy and physical therapy programs, passed away April 3, 2014, aged 95, after a distinguished medical career and rich family life. Dr. Robinson began his medical career with his physician father in Banff, AB, and served in the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corp. A rheumatologist, Dr. Robinson was Medical Director 1955-1983 at the Canadian Arthritis & Rheumatism Society (CARS, now known as The Arthritis Society). CARS was instrumental in the lobby to finally create an educational program at UBC for occupational therapists and physical therapists, aligning with several other service organizations to address the desperate shortage of qualified therapists in BC. Rehab alumni who attended UBC rehab prior to the early 1980s were taught by Dr Robinson, a pioneer in arthritis care and rehabilitation in rheumatic conditions, and lecturer in medical conditions from 1961 to his retirement in 1983. He led the team focused on enhancing function for people living with arthritis long before it was ‘fashionable’ as a health outcome (the World Health Organization’s promotion of activity and participation as important concepts in health is the contemporary equivalent), and authored both journal articles and handbooks on the model care provided at CARS. He received many honours over his career, including the Order of Canada, and the Queen’s Silver, Gold, and Diamond Jubilee medals for outstanding service.
An advocate for occupational therapy, Dr. Robinson was elected honorary member of the BC Society of Occupational Therapists in 1983. For many years, Dr. and Mrs. Robinson never missed a graduation reception for the UBC OT and PT classes, and were the most gracious of “VIP” guests as they congratulated each graduating class. The first (and so far only) endowed chair in rehabilitation sciences at UBC was named after Dr Robinson and funded by The Arthritis Society and the provincial government during UBC’s World of Opportunity campaign. Dr Erica Stern, an occupational therapist, was the first chair, followed by Dr Matt Liang, a physician, and now Dr Linda Li, a physical therapist, holds the Dr. Harold Robinson/Arthritis Society Chair in Arthritis Rehabilitation. Harold and Jean Robinson were recognized and the establishment of the endowed chair applauded at the opening of the Margaret Hood Occupational Therapy Research Lab in 1996, in the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy.
Dr. Robinson pursued other occupations outside his professional life: was an accomplished pianist and enjoyed music with his family. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Jean, their two children, and five grandchildren.
The UBC Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy pays tribute to Dr. Harold S. Robinson as one of the pioneers in rehabilitative care in British Columbia.