Roscoe R. "Ike" Robinson, M.D.
‘Kidney Kaper’ to honor Robinson’s life, legacy
The National Kidney Foundation of Middle Tennessee's annual Kidney Kaper black-tie fund-raising event this year will honor Roscoe R. "Ike" Robinson, M.D., former vice chancellor for Health Affairs at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, whose tireless research and clinical care in nephrology earned him high honors in his field and higher respect among his peers and those he led.
Robinson, who died in August after a hard-fought battle with pulmonary fibrosis, was an obvious choice as an honoree for the event, the National Kidney Foundation of Middle Tennessee's primary fund-raiser, scheduled for April 16.
"We use a quote from Winston Churchill on our invitations that's especially fitting for Dr. Robinson," said Teresa Davidson, executive director of the local foundation office. "The quote says, 'We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give.' We really feel like that summed up his life, because he gave so much more than he received."
Robinson's legacy lists him as a lion in his field: he was the founding editor of Kidney International, the leading journal in nephrology. He also served as president of both the American Society of Nephrology and the International Society of Nephrology. He was a member of the American Board of Internal Medicine and chaired its Nephrology Board. He co-authored “The First Forty Years,” a history of the International Society of Nephrology.
The entire evening, to be spent in a Renaissance Hotel ballroom, will be a tribute to Robinson. A video will feature footage of the physician and his family, with remembrances from colleagues, including former Vanderbilt Chancellor Joe B. Wyatt, who says, in part, "To me he was a leader; a leader of a whole collection of people who were really trying to make Vanderbilt Medical Center among the best in the world."
Harry R. Jacobson, M.D., who succeeded Robinson as vice chancellor for Health Affairs and who also is a nephrologist, will be honorary chairman of the Kidney Kaper. "We are indeed privileged to honor someone of Dr. Robinson's stature and reputation at this year's event," Jacobson said.
Robinson's wife, Ann, and other family members and friends will attend to help celebrate Robinson's life and achievements.
Tickets to the event are $180 per person and reservations are required. For more information, contact the National Kidney Foundation of Middle Tennessee at 383-3887 or www.nkfmdtn.org.