Heroes of Military Surgery

Martin C. Robson, MD, FACS, Hon FRCS, Hon FRACS

Martin C. Robson, MD died on April 15, 2023, in Chicago, Illinois. A distinguished and prolific Plastic Surgeon, Surgeon-Scientist, medical researcher, and Professor, he published and lectured extensively, primarily in the realm of wound healing, wound infection, burns, and proliferative scarring. He trained and educated several generations of Plastic Surgeons, Research Fellows, and Medical Students, many who have gone on to academic careers themselves.

Dr. Robson graduated from Johns Hopkins University and Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. He was drafted into the Army in 1967 and completed General Surgery Residency at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. He served as the Chief of Surgery of the Seoul Military Hospital in Korea from 1969-1970, and then the Chief of Surgery at Fort Campbell Kentucky 1901-1971. He received the Army Commendation and the Meritorious Service Medals in 1971. He continued his service as an Army Reservist for many years, retiring at the rank of full Colonel.

During his General Surgery training, he was inspired by the work of Dr. Thomas Krizek, Chief of Plastic Surgery at Yale University. Marty served as Tom’s first Resident and then remained at Yale after Plastic Surgery Residency graduation, rising in academic rank to Associate Professor. He was then recruited to the University of Chicago as the Chief of Plastic Surgery and Director of the Burn Center. Marty then became Chief of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan and then the Truman G. Blocker, MD Distinguished Professor and Chief of the Division of Plastic Surgery at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. Then he was again recruited by Dr. Krizek to the Division of Plastic Surgery at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida, where he served as the Chief of Surgical Services at the Bay Pines VA Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida, retiring from clinical practice in 2000.

Marty published 500 scientific, peer-reviewed journal articles and over 100 book chapters and books dedicated to Plastic Surgery, burns, wound healing, and wound infection. Dr. Robson served in many distinguished leadership positions in academic surgery including President of the American Burn Association, Chairman of the American Board of Plastic Surgery, and Chairman of the Residency Review Committee for Plastic Surgery.

Marty was awarded an honorary fellowship in the Royal College of Surgeons and the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. He received the Lifetime Scientific Achievement Awards from the American Burn Association and both the Distinguished Fellowship Award and the Clinician of the Year Award from the American Association of Plastic Surgeons.

Marty was married to Leslie (nee Einhorn) for 39 years. His three children, Doug, Trip (Martin C Robson, III), and Karen are successful professionals. His 7 grandchildren were special delights in his eyes. Marty leaves a legacy of excellence, inspiration, and friendship to all of those whom he educated, taught, collaborated with, and befriended. One of Marty’s favorite quotes from Gertrude Stein was a frequent point in his lectures and teaching: “A Difference, To Be a Difference, Must Make a Difference.” Marty will certainly be remembered as one who Made a Difference.