It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of one G-CAN’s valued members, Philip Robinson, PhD, MBChB, FRACP, AAICD.
A native of New Zealand, and an internationally-respected gout researcher, Dr. Robinson was also a catalyst for the formation of the Global COVID-19 Rheumatology Alliance, in which he championed gout as an important rheumatic disease. Dr. Robinson first became involved with G-CAN as a young investigator, presenting his abstract on the systematic review of adverse events from colchicine use at the annual G-CAN research symposium, and returning the following year as an invited speaker on the value of using social media in communicating with gout and crystal arthritis patients.
Dr. Robinson completed his undergraduate medical studies and post-graduate rheumatology training in Dunedin New Zealand, where he developed an interest in gout and genetics. As a trainee, he had many well-cited original papers and reviews in a broad range of subjects, including quality of care, epidemiology, pharmacogenomics, health economics, and patient education.
Dr. Robinson continued his studies in the field, receiving a PhD in ankylosing spondylitis at the University of Queensland and a medical appointment from the Royal Australasian College of Physicians. He remained in Brisbane as an Associate Professor of rheumatology and senior staff specialist at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital. He also had a private practice in rheumatology at St. Andrews War Memorial Hospital.
The G-CAN 2023 Annual Research Symposium will be dedicated to Dr. Robinson, and the Phillip Robinson Memorial Lecture will be delivered by the G-CAN Vice President Dr. Hyon Choi on COVID-19 and gout.
A celebration of Dr. Robinson’s life will be livestreamed January 18 at 2 p.m. QLD time (GMT+10) at https://vimeo.com/event/2763345. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the RA Research fund Please contact the ARA Secretariat if you would like to donate in his honor.