Joseph Robertson (dean)
Encyclopedia
Joseph E. Robertson, Jr., M.D., M.B.A., is an American
ophthalmologist
who became the President of Oregon Health & Science University
in Portland, Oregon
in September 2006.
in 1974. He attended medical school at the Indiana University
School of Medicine in Indianapolis
, receiving an M.D. degree in 1978.
He completed his residency in ophthalmology at Oregon Health Sciences University (now Oregon Health & Science University). He completed a fellowship in vitreoretinal surgery at the combined program of Oregon Health Sciences University and Devers Eye Institute. In 1997, he received a Master's Degree in Business Administration from the University of Oregon
's Executive M.B.A. Program. In addition to his academic career experience, he has one year of private practice experience.
Robertson has proactively responded to Oregon’s healthcare workforce shortage. During his tenure as Dean, the entering class size in the medical education program incrementally increased from 100 to 120 students to help address the physician shortage. OHSU has partnered with the University of Oregon and the PeaceHealth System to expand medical education in the Eugene
and Springfield
areas of Oregon, and with other state universities to increase the number of physicians in Oregon and to address the issue of mal-distribution of providers. Dr. Robertson became dean of the OHSU School of Medicine in 2003, and in September 2006 replaced Dr. Peter Koehler as President of Oregon Health & Science University, becoming the fourth president of the institution.
Robertson is an expert in vitreoretinal surgery, with research interests in ocular trauma, diabetic retinopathy, retinopathy of prematurity and other proliferative retinal diseases, as well as in the development of new surgical techniques. His basic science research focused on the pathophysiology and cellular events related to vitreoretinopathy, the leading cause of redetachment of the retina. He has participated in numerous clinical trials, including acting as co-principal investigator of the fundus photography reading center for a major clinical trial investigating cryotherapy as a treatment for retinopathy of prematurity. He has served as a treating or examining investigator in multiple trials funded by both the NEI and industry. Dr. Robertson’s other professional interests include the development of healthcare delivery systems and the application of cost accounting principles to medical practice, with the goal of reducing expenses for care while enhancing patient outcomes.Robertson has authored numerous peer review articles and book chapters.
During Robertson's tenure as the university President, the Portland Aerial Tram
went into service. The tramway was built to connect the main OSHU campus with university land near the Willamette River
and with the OHSU Center for Health & Healing. The tramway was the proposed solution to link the two locations.
Robertson's salary in the 2008-2009 school year was just over $1,043,455. In 2009-2010, it was $811,252.
. He married Dr. Margaret Hewitt in 1976, after they met in medical school. They had two children, Katie and C.J. and were married until 1999. He lives in a gated community for floating homes on the Willamette and enjoys two vacation houses with his second wife, Patricia, whom he met in 1997.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
ophthalmologist
Ophthalmology
Ophthalmology is the branch of medicine that deals with the anatomy, physiology and diseases of the eye. An ophthalmologist is a specialist in medical and surgical eye problems...
who became the President of Oregon Health & Science University
Oregon Health & Science University
Oregon Health & Science University is a public university in Oregon with a main campus, including two hospitals, in Portland and a smaller campus in Hillsboro...
in Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
in September 2006.
Education
Robertson received a Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience at Yale UniversityYale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
in 1974. He attended medical school at the Indiana University
Indiana University
Indiana University is a multi-campus public university system in the state of Indiana, United States. Indiana University has a combined student body of more than 100,000 students, including approximately 42,000 students enrolled at the Indiana University Bloomington campus and approximately 37,000...
School of Medicine in Indianapolis
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
, receiving an M.D. degree in 1978.
He completed his residency in ophthalmology at Oregon Health Sciences University (now Oregon Health & Science University). He completed a fellowship in vitreoretinal surgery at the combined program of Oregon Health Sciences University and Devers Eye Institute. In 1997, he received a Master's Degree in Business Administration from the University of Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
's Executive M.B.A. Program. In addition to his academic career experience, he has one year of private practice experience.
Career
Robertson has been on the OHSU faculty for his entire career except for one year in private practice. Later, he became chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology and Director of the Casey Eye Institute, taking over after the longtime chairman, Frederick Fraunfelder.Robertson has proactively responded to Oregon’s healthcare workforce shortage. During his tenure as Dean, the entering class size in the medical education program incrementally increased from 100 to 120 students to help address the physician shortage. OHSU has partnered with the University of Oregon and the PeaceHealth System to expand medical education in the Eugene
Eugene, Oregon
Eugene is the second largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon and the seat of Lane County. It is located at the south end of the Willamette Valley, at the confluence of the McKenzie and Willamette rivers, about east of the Oregon Coast.As of the 2010 U.S...
and Springfield
Springfield, Oregon
Springfield is a city in Lane County, Oregon, United States. Located in the Southern Willamette Valley, it is within the Eugene-Springfield Metropolitan Statistical Area. Separated from Eugene to the west, mainly by Interstate 5, Springfield is the second-most populous city in the metropolitan area...
areas of Oregon, and with other state universities to increase the number of physicians in Oregon and to address the issue of mal-distribution of providers. Dr. Robertson became dean of the OHSU School of Medicine in 2003, and in September 2006 replaced Dr. Peter Koehler as President of Oregon Health & Science University, becoming the fourth president of the institution.
Robertson is an expert in vitreoretinal surgery, with research interests in ocular trauma, diabetic retinopathy, retinopathy of prematurity and other proliferative retinal diseases, as well as in the development of new surgical techniques. His basic science research focused on the pathophysiology and cellular events related to vitreoretinopathy, the leading cause of redetachment of the retina. He has participated in numerous clinical trials, including acting as co-principal investigator of the fundus photography reading center for a major clinical trial investigating cryotherapy as a treatment for retinopathy of prematurity. He has served as a treating or examining investigator in multiple trials funded by both the NEI and industry. Dr. Robertson’s other professional interests include the development of healthcare delivery systems and the application of cost accounting principles to medical practice, with the goal of reducing expenses for care while enhancing patient outcomes.Robertson has authored numerous peer review articles and book chapters.
During Robertson's tenure as the university President, the Portland Aerial Tram
Portland Aerial Tram
The Portland Aerial Tram is an aerial tramway in Portland, Oregon, carrying commuters between the city's South Waterfront district and the main Oregon Health & Science University campus, located in the Marquam Hill neighborhood. It is the second commuter aerial tramway in the United States...
went into service. The tramway was built to connect the main OSHU campus with university land near the Willamette River
Willamette River
The Willamette River is a major tributary of the Columbia River, accounting for 12 to 15 percent of the Columbia's flow. The Willamette's main stem is long, lying entirely in northwestern Oregon in the United States...
and with the OHSU Center for Health & Healing. The tramway was the proposed solution to link the two locations.
Robertson's salary in the 2008-2009 school year was just over $1,043,455. In 2009-2010, it was $811,252.
Family life
Robertson was born near a small town in the hills of Southern IndianaIndiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
. He married Dr. Margaret Hewitt in 1976, after they met in medical school. They had two children, Katie and C.J. and were married until 1999. He lives in a gated community for floating homes on the Willamette and enjoys two vacation houses with his second wife, Patricia, whom he met in 1997.