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For most successful executives who’ve enjoyed a career that’s spanned over 40 years, it’s only natural that their thoughts turn away from the expectations and demands of business and toward the finer arts of retirement and relaxation. Enter Richard Robinson, exception to the rule. Robinson finds the mere mention of retirement an absurdity. As president and CEO of Sanitasole, Marco Island’s Premier Place for Senior Health, he insists he’s just getting his second wind. With his characteristic vigor and full-steam-ahead style of leadership, Robinson is now focused on actualizing a new paradigm for Senior Health. Its arrival signals one of the most innovative models of comprehensive health care services to be offered in Southwest Florida.
“I’ve always felt that optimal outcomes are the result of collective engagement,” Robinson asserts. “Ultimately, it’s up to the leader to make the strategic decisions so critical to any operation. But in my view, effective leadership requires an outstanding team of professionals working together to contribute to the execution and enhancement of compassionate, quality healthcare. The vision must be shared by everyone. If it isn’t, there’s no true fruition.”
As a former hospital administrator, Robinson’s career has crisscrossed from coast to coast. As a chief executive officer, he enjoyed three assignments within HCA (Hospital Corporation of America), the nation’s largest for-profit network of hospital management systems. He also served as Regional Executive Director of a 42 member hospital alliance within VHA (Voluntary Hospitals of America), the largest not-for-profit network of hospitals and ambulatory care centers in the US. Additionally, Robinson served as partner in a healthcare executive consulting firm, facilitating mergers, acquisitions and new business development for hospitals, physicians and investors within the healthcare sector.
“You often hear the expression, ‘Show me the money,’” he reminds. “Most folks think that implies an either/or scenario. Either you have profitability or a compassionate, nurturing work place –but you can’t have both. Well, you can have both and when you do, everyone wins. In the case of hospitals, the patient wins as well as the staff -the nurse at the bedside, the doctor in the operating room, the housekeeper who takes ownership of the environment. Finally, the family of each of those wins. And once this happens, it radiates right out into the community.”
When asked about his administrative acumen, Robinson admits it evolved ironically. “I joined the military,” he says with a wry smile. “I quickly learned what I didn’t want to do.” His assignments in the United States Air Force with the Strategic Air Command during the Vietnam War took him to Omaha, Nebraska and Utopia, Thailand. The GI Bill was like a reward for Robinson. He completed his baccalaureate degree in Business Administration at Grand Valley State University in Michigan where he won a coveted fellowship with the Kellogg Foundation. As a fellow, he was granted access and exposure to all levels of hospital operations, an experience that would prove instrumental in his decision to pursue a graduate degree in Hospital & Healthcare Administration at the University of Missouri where he was awarded two more fellowships in the field of healthcare.
Robinson’s challenging and rewarding career has finally come full circle at Sanitasole. Actually, it’s a dream shared with his wife and partner, Paula Camposano-Robinson. Together, they advocate for seniors in need of support throughout the health care spectrum. As a registered nurse, Paula has the hands-on clinical training and 28 years of experience within the NCH Healthcare System. It complements Robinson’s background in executive management. “The gentle and compassionate care that our clients receive wouldn’t be possible without Paula,” he insists. “She’s really the heart of Sanitasole.
“We’re so fortunate to wake up each day and look forward to doing the work we truly love to do,” he reflects. “Just knowing first hand that our efforts at Sanitasole are making a positive impact on the quality of life for the senior community means everything to us.”
