Oct. 14, 2021
Infectious disease specialist recognized for work throughout COVID-19 pandemic
Dr. Robin Trotman, D.O., infectious diseases specialist with CoxHealth, has been named the 2021 Humanitarian for working beyond his role at CoxHealth throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to support state and federal response efforts.
Trotman served the State of Missouri by advising leaders on strategies to keep the public safe. He also helped prepare the “Great Clips” study showing that mask wearing was effective in preventing the spread of the virus. The case study, widely referenced after being published in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention weekly journal, detailed that stylists at a Springfield hair salon who worked before testing positive for COVID-19 did not pass the virus to clients.
The 36th person to receive the award over 32 years, Trotman was nominated by Steve Edwards, CoxHealth president and CEO, who was the 2020 Humanitarian Award recipient.
“Future generations will likely shape the world based on what they have learned and seen from Dr. Trotman, who is always willing to educate and explain in a kind way that people understand,” said CoxHealth CEO Steve Edwards, who nominated Trotman for the award.
“These efforts did not preclude his other infectious diseases work,” Edwards said in his nomination letter. “He continued to see patients in clinics, and took time to mentor medical students training at the Springfield Clinical Campus of the MU School of Medicine. Future generations will likely shape the world based on what they have learned and seen from Dr. Trotman, who is always willing to educate and explain in a kind way that people understand.”
Trotman has worked at CoxHealth for 16 years. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas–Austin and completed medical school at Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in north Missouri. He completed his internship and residency work at the University of Missouri–Columbia and had a fellowship in infectious disease at Wake Forest University in North Carolina.
The CFO will present the Humanitarian Award at the Association of Fundraising Professionals–Ozarks Region Chapter’s National Philanthropy Day celebration at 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 9, at White River Conference Center, 600 W. Sunshine St. The event honors a range of individuals and organizations involved in many facets of philanthropy. Tickets can be purchased online.
The Humanitarian Award was founded in 1990 by the late Springfield donor Jewell Thompson Schweitzer to honor individuals in our region who excel at serving others in a humanitarian capacity. The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce organizes a committee to review nominations and select the annual recipient.
This year’s selection committee included: Rev. Kenneth Chumbley; Tim Connell; Pastor Saehee Duran; Lyle Foster, Ph.D.; Brandy Harris; and Rev. Phil Snider.
Trotman will receive a $5,000 cash award, which has traditionally been donated to one or more charities of the winner’s choice.
