Sandra Ann Lawson made her entrance into the world in New Orleans on March 22, 1944, to Alvin James and Elvera Stewart Lawson. Sandra was the only child of this union and was coddled and loved unconditionally by her Mom and stepfather Sidney Martin. She was a devout Catholic and spent many years attending services with her parents and later with her children at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church and more recently at St. Patrick Catholic Church.
After graduation from Xavier Preparatory High School her academic journey led her to Howard University where she earned her bachelor’s and MD degrees. She received her Master of Public Health from Tulane University, and participated in the Senior Executives in State and Local Government graduate program at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Sandra completed her pediatric internship/residency at Children’s Hospital, National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. During this time she married and had the first of three children. After completing a pediatric residency in ambulatory care at the University of California, San Francisco, CA, she reluctantly returned to New Orleans to enter a medical private practice and begin her public service health career.
Sandra L. Robinson served in many influential positions: Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Resources for the State of Louisiana, State Health Officer, President of Children’s Care - a private medical corporation, as well as the Interim Director/Deputy Director for the New Orleans Health Department.
Her impact in this community was enormous. During Hurricane Katrina, she co-directed and coordinated medical services to the over 900 special needs patients housed in the Superdome. One week after her evacuation, she returned to New Orleans to work on the command team for the rebuilding of the health care system in the city. She retired from city service in 2010 and again became an active pediatric practitioner providing primary care for children, infants, and adolescents through all of their developmental stages.
Dr. Sandra L. Robinson received numerous honors and awards. She earned the National Medical Association’s highest honor, the Scroll of Merit in addition to the Distinguished Speaker Award. She was recognized with the Daughters of Charity Cross Award for Community Service, New Orleans Magazine’s “Lab Coats Rock -New Orleans Women Take Science Seriously,” BGR Excellence in Government Award, the City of New Orleans Unsung Hero’s Award, the Congressional Black Caucus 2006 Health Braintrust Heroes Award, the Great Expectations Foundation 2003 Women in Community Service Award, the National Health Service Corp Directors Award, and the New Orleans Medical Association Outstanding Service Award. Recognition in Who’s Who as an undergraduate and physician along with distinguished Community Service and Leadership Awards from a host of city, state and local organizations are too numerous to list.
Sandra served on several health committees and boards: Louisiana Representative for Southern Regional Task Force on Infant Mortality, Governor’s Commission on Women, State of Louisiana. At Tulane she served as and is an Emeritus member of the Tulane Board of Administrators, a member of the Tulane Medical School Board and HCA Board. She was also President of the Orleans Recovery Foundation. She served as an Urban League of Greater New Orleans Board Member for 15 years. Other boards that benefited from her talent include: Isidore Newman School, Commission on Health and Human Services, Southern Regional Education Board, and Harvard University - Advisory Board, for State and Local Government Programs.
Sandra’s publications on Child Abuse, Social Welfare Crisis and “A History of the Charity Hospital System in Louisiana” created a forum for open discussions on some of the critical issues facing the health care of the citizen of Louisiana. She continued to work on these issues and this weekend her research with a colleague is being presented at a medical conference in California.
Sandra’s hobby was traveling. From the Alps in France, to the desert of Dubai and the Great Wall of China, her zest to see and know more about the world was always foremost for every visit to a new place. Recently Sandra’s “Happy Place” was spending time with her newest granddaughter Kaylee. Photos abound from her watch, phone, all around her residence and she eagerly shared the joy of having this new addition to her family with everyone.
Dr. Sandra L. Robinson made her transition on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 from a recent cancer diagnosis. She was preceded in death by her birth parents, step-father and a son Carl Jr. She is survived by her son Michael (Chelsey), granddaughter Kaylee, step grandchildren Aliya, Tristan, and Joshua of St. Charles, Missouri; Daughter Christian Marie Thompson (Jim) and grandson Chandler of Duluth, Minnesota. Others who will cherish her memory are Carl D. Robinson (ex-husband), New Orleans, Louisiana, LaSandre R. Starks (sister-in-law) Monroe, Louisiana, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and colleagues.
Should friends desire to make a Memorial Gift, in remembrance of Sandra, send to: Howard University College of Medicine. Indicat gift is in honor, memory of Sandra L. Robinson, MD, MPH giving.howard.edu
Giving Opportunities - Impact Medicine
Visitation and Praise for the Life of Sandra L. Robinson, MD, MHP
Friday, January 17, 2025
5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Lake Lawn Chapel
5100 Pontchartrain Blvd
New Orleans, Louisiana
(Speakers will begin after the Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. Omega Omega Service approximately 5:45 pm Livestream link is located by the service times below)
MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
Saturday, January 18th, 2025
10:00 am
St. Patrick Catholic Church
724 Camp Street
New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
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