Corpus Christi Caller Times Caller.com - Local doctor among 41 honored in Washington

Marketplace \| Services \| Contact Us \| Community \| Arts & Entertainment \| Local Guides

[an error occurred while processing this directive]

Wednesday, June 14, 2000

Local doctor among 41 honored in Washington
Chili Robinson is top volunteer in Caller-Times/Channel 6 Jefferson awards
By Tom Mentzer
Scripps Howard News Service

Scripps Howard News Service

Dr. Chili Robinson and his daughter Cory, 12, attended the National Jefferson Awards ceremonies Tuesday in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON - Dr. Chili Robinson, whose vacations in countries such as Mexico, Peru and El Salvador have meant free surgeries for at least 200 who couldn't afford it otherwise, found added inspiration in the nation's capital.
   Robinson, of Corpus Christi, was among 41 volunteers recognized at the National Jefferson Awards ceremonies Tuesday for contributions to their communities.
   "I'm really encouraged by all the people, all the vigor and enthusiasm," Robinson said.
   Robinson, top honoree in the Caller-Times/Channel 6 Jefferson Volunteer Awards, said he was somewhat intimidated at being surrounded by so many others who have contributed so much.
   Five of his counterparts in Washington were selected to receive Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Awards for Outstanding Public Service Benefiting Local Communities.
   Robinson, who added that he was honored to meet so many of his peers, said his trip to Washington for the national Jefferson Awards, has served as a catalyst for bigger and better things in his own volunteer efforts.
   Robinson, 57, who spends one to two weeks a year in Central America performing cleft-palate and cleft-lip operations, hopes to use the momentum of his award to enlist others in a planned five-year project in Jamaica.
   In addition to performing about 200 operations during the past 10 years, the last of which took him to Ukraine, Robinson also has been teaching local doctors how to perform the operations themselves.
   "What's really been nice is the places we've gone where we've educated them to the point where we don't have a job there anymore," he said.
   Robinson was first introduced to facial surgery in his early 20s, when his younger sister underwent several operations.
   He later entered medical school and, realizing what an impact he could make on people's lives, decided to specialize in plastic surgery.
   In fact, the roots of his desire to help those in Central America trace back to his college years. When he was 19, Robinson dropped out of college for a semester and traveled throughout Central America.
   "It really opened my eyes to other cultures," he said.
   While traveling, Robinson spent time at missions and farms, and witnessed firsthand how a small amount of medical expertise caused such a dramatic effect on those who could not afford simple surgery.
   Robinson's certificate for his volunteer work was presented by Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison at a ceremony in the Russell Senate Office Building.
   The five winners of the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Awards were announced at a gala dinner at the National Museum for Women in the Arts, which also was Tuesday evening.
   Those recipients were:

Richard Cyr, of Dublin, N.H., founded David's Wish, a residence for families of sick children.

Mat Dawson Jr. of Shreveport, La., who has given more than $1 million in scholarship money.

Donald Fisher of Indianapolis, Ind., who created Jubilee Center, a neighborhood service center, and formed Oaks Academy for troubled families.

Ardelia Everett Ingram, of Durham, N.C., who is an active member in the community; involved in Community Flower Club, the Unity of Tents and the Couth Calantha Nurse Club.

Allan Law of Minneapolis, Minn., who created Minneapolis Recreation Development for youth.

| Talk about this story | Next Story | Home |

[ Printer-friendly version ]
[ Subscribe to newspaper ]

SEND THIS PAGE TO A FRIEND

[an error occurred while processing this directive]