A Legacy of Service and Innovation:
Remembering the inaugural chair of pharmacology
Dr. Donald and Mary Lou Robinson Scholarship
Donald S. Robinson, MD, was a pioneer in psychopharmacology as well as a man of many passions. An avid outdoorsman, international traveler, baker and lover of literature, he balanced his professional achievements with a rich personal life. His wife, Mary Lou Robinson, mirrored his dedication to service through her impactful career as a community leader and public health advocate. Together, they have left an indelible mark on their community and beyond.
She continues to model a life of service to others and a lifelong dedication to learning by establishing the Dr. Donald and Mary Lou Robinson Scholarship at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine.
Dr. Robinson’s journey began at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, followed by service in the United States Army during the Korean War. It was during his assignment at Bell Telephone Laboratories in New Jersey that he met Mary Lou, the love of his life. They married in 1956, beginning a partnership that would span decades.
After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in 1959, Dr. Robinson’s interest in clinical pharmacology blossomed during his fellowship at the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) in the late 1960s. His groundbreaking research on pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) relationships laid the foundation for modern clinical psychopharmacology and drug development, particularly in understanding how genetic variations affect drug responses.
In 1968, Dr. Robinson established the Clinical Pharmacology Unit at the University of Vermont. A decade later, he founded the Department of Pharmacology at Marshall’s newly formed School of Medicine, serving as the department’s first chair until 1984. His achievements also include the creation of a Mood Disorder Clinic in collaboration with the Marshall University Department of Psychiatry and a drug level assay laboratory at the V.A. Medical Center, the first in this region of West Virginia.
In the latter part of his career, Dr. Robinson transitioned to the pharmaceutical industry. He became the head of central nervous system (CNS) research at Bristol-Myers Squibb. Under his leadership, three new medicines successfully navigated clinical development and received FDA approval. Even after retiring in 1993, he continued to share his expertise through consulting and mentoring. His legacy lives on through the countless professionals he influenced and the advancements he catalyzed in psychopharmacology.
Mary Lou Robinson’s contributions to the community are equally noteworthy. She formed a spouse’s auxiliary group for the School of Medicine and volunteered at the public television station, becoming an on-air fundraiser and serving as Chairman of the Friends of WPBY-TV. In 1982, she co-chaired a community promotion event for the movie “Annie” at Huntington’s historic Keith-Albee theater, attended by West Virginia State Governor Jay Rockefeller and First Lady Sharon Percy Rockefeller. Mary Lou was later appointed by Governor Rockefeller to the Advisory Board for WV Public Broadcasting, serving alongside Mrs. Rockefeller.
Together, Dr. and Mrs. Robinson raised four daughters and a son: Ann Robinson Greene, Molly Robinson Mathews (‘96), Amy Robinson Van Velzor, Glenn Robinson, and Sarabeth Robinson Van Velzor, three of whom attended Marshall University. Their children have followed in their footsteps, dedicating their careers to fields such as education, medicine, law and nursing. The Dr. Donald and Mary Lou Robinson Scholarship supports an out-of-state medical student and is renewable for three years with normal academic progress. The Robinsons’ story is one of dedication, service and innovation. Their contributions to medicine, public health, and their community continue to inspire and impact countless lives.
"In the 1970s, we made Huntington, WV, our home as we joined the Marshall University School of Medicine. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with warmth and found immense joy in the vibrant community and the countless opportunities the town offered. It was a transformative period in our lives, filled with both professional growth and personal fulfillment.
This scholarship is established with the hope of providing a similar experience for the next generation of medical students. Our aim is to support a student who embodies a passion for medicine and a commitment to their community, mirroring the values and enthusiasm we found during our time at Marshall."
To honor the Robinsons’ legacy, contributions to the Dr. Donald and Mary Lou Robinson Scholarship may be made online or by contacting Amanda A. Kinder, assistant director of development and alumni engagement at 304.691.1757 or adkins568@marshall.edu.
FEATURE STORY by Amanda Kinder
Date Posted: Tuesday, September 17, 2024
