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On Tuesday, the Arizona Board of Regents announced that Robert Clayton Robbins, M.D. is the finalist for the position of the 22nd president of the University of Arizona. Robbins is currently the president and chief executive officer of Texas Medical Center.
Robbins will visit the UA main campus tomorrow, March 8, to meet with various university staff and students, and will participate in a community forum commencing at 4:15 p.m. at the UA’s ENR2 Building Auditorium.
The board plans a special meeting on March 13 to finalize its selection for the next president and to begin contract negotiations.
Robbins’ “educational background includes a B.S. in chemistry from Millsaps College (1979), medical degree from the University of Mississippi (1983), general surgical training at the University of Mississippi (1989), cardiothoracic training at Stanford University (1992), post-doctoral research at Columbia University and the National Institutes of Health, and congenital heart surgical fellowships at Emory University and Royal Children’s Hospital,” according to the Texas Medical Center website.
“Dr. Robbins has an impressive track record of leadership, research accomplishments and demonstrated success in managing the largest medical complex in the world,” said ABOR Chair Greg Patterson. “In addition to the obvious benefits to UA’s two medical schools, Dr. Robbins’ championship of crossinstitutional research initiatives demonstrates that he is well-positioned to guide UA from its strong existing foundation to continued success in the areas of interdisciplinary scholarship and student success.”
“Dr. Robbins’ comprehensive experience as both a visionary leader and highly-respected physician, as well as his evident talent for advancing research, innovation, entrepreneurship and economic development will serve the University of Arizona and our state well,” said ABOR President Eileen Klein. “I look forward to the possibility of collaborating with Dr. Robbins to advance the University of Arizona and achieve aggressive goals for the state of Arizona. His passion for students and higher education is genuine and I truly value his sincere openness, collegiality and integrity.”