Women in Medicine: Krystal Robinson
Krystal Robinson, PsyD, Assistant Professor
Department of Pediatrics
Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology
Long School of Medicine
Dr. Robinson is a Clinical Psychologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology and the inaugural Associate Chair of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the department.
In less than a year, she has developed 4 major branches to advance program development, medical school advocacy, the needs of our current and future trainees including intentionality in our recruitment of under-represented minorities, and the future pipeline of URM trainees into medicine and pediatrics. She has done implicit bias training with both our resident and fellowship programs, she has collaborated with the Office of Inclusion and Diversity, she has had town halls with current residents, and participated in JAMP, MLK Junior Academy, SNMA, and Shades of Success with planned future collaborations supporting.Urban Champions Academy and The Lemonade Circle.
In the clinical arena, Dr. Robinson provides care for children, adolescents, and young adults who have either cancer or a serious blood disorder. Daily, she is the one with whom families are sharing their feelings on what they often later describe as “the worst day of their lives” -when they receive word that their child has a diagnosis of cancer. Dr. Robinson follows these families throughout the course of treatment, listening and providing support as well as working with families on coping skills and management of the distress and anxiety which goes with receiving news, awaiting periodic evaluations, etc. She does this not only with expertise in the psychology of illness, but also with an amazing sense of calm and professionalism.
Additionally, Dr. Robinson is a co-investigator on a CPRIT grant studying “Barriers and Facilitators of Cancer Surveillance in Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults at High Risk of Cancer Because of Genetic Predisposition” and is also involved as the psychological liaison on numerous clinical trials for children with cancer. She is also Co-director of the Texas Mental Health Equity Mentor Network and is a member of the Department of Psychiatry Resident Training Committee. She is the faculty advisor for the LSOM Student National Medical Association supporting underrepresented minority students and a faculty collaborator with OID for the Shades of Success Program encouraging URM high school students’ interest in the health professions.