Carl Robbins had a profound impact on family medicine across N.L.
I was saddened to learn today that Dr. Carl Robbins has died, at 81. The family’s obituary speaks right away to the kind of man he was.
Carl passed away during his last walk on Easter Sunday. Walking had always brought him joy, though it had become more difficult in recent years. We are grateful he felt well enough to be out that morning doing something he loved.
We should all be so lucky to be doing something we love in our final minutes.
I knew Carl mainly from reporting I did through the years on medical issues. He was a vice-dean at the medical school at Memorial University, was an evangelist for rural medicine for decades, and taught and trained scores of doctors, many of whom are practising now in Newfoundand and Labrador.
I also was — on paper at least — his patient. I’m pretty sure I never actually met him in a clinical setting, and that needs a little bit of explanation.
Years and years ago, when I was in my 20s, I enrolled in the family practice unit at the medical school. My mom worked at the medical school in communications, and she told me that the unit could use patients who would be OK with medical students and interns interacting with them.
The ask? You might be asked for a medical history on any — or every — visit. It was a teaching unit (and I believe still is), and I had no problem at all answering questions.
I noticed once along the way that Carl was listed on some paperwork as my doctor of record, but I always seemed to meet other doctors, at different stages of their careers. The arrangement worked fine for me at the time, and I stayed there until I became a dad and we all came under one umbrella at a family practice.
Carl was absolutely passionate about medical education, particularly advancing the needs of rural areas in Newfoundland and Labrador.
That comes across in the following clipping, from the fall 1993 issue of the medical school’s newsletter, MUNMed.
I last saw Carl some months ago, when taking my mother to a health appointment. Carl was also in the waiting room, and indeed I did not notice him until he was called. I really wish I had gone over to say hello.
And to thank him for his generous time over the years. He was excellent at explaining so many things, and was such a kind man, too.
His funeral will take place Tuesday in St. John’s. More details are in his obituary.