MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. PEACEMAKER AWARD CELEBRATION
Peacemaker award recipient for 2023: Dr. Adam M. Robinson, Jr.
Our 2023 MLK Jr. Peacemaker honoree is Dr. Adam M. Robinson, Jr., Director, VA Pacific Islands Health Care System. Dr. Robinson has over 30 years of experience as a senior leader in the US Military Health Care system.
The VA health care system in Hawaii provides care for more than 63,000 veterans and dependents in Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of Northern Marianas. The system provides personnel, facilities, and policies to provide care to the military veterans who protect us daily and over the years. A recent challenge came in the 2022 PACT Act, which expanded care for veterans exposed to toxic substances during the Cold War and Operation Desert Storm.
Dr. Robinson received his Doctor of Medicine from Indiana University School of Medicine and began a naval career with increasingly responsible positions, including a tour as 36th US Navy Surgeon General. He has written numerous publications and is the recipient of many awards, including the Distinguished Service Medal (three awards) and the Navy Achievement and Commendation medals, as well as various service and campaign awards.
Retired from the US Navy as a Vice Admiral, Dr. Robinson has devoted his career to service to our nation and to the needs of our veteran population, including the homeless and incarcerated.
As in past years, we will have an informal reception in Weaver Hall following the service.
UPDATE:
Dr. Adam M. Robinson spoke with much heart and wisdom the night of Feb. 20 when he received the Martin Luther King Jr Peacemaker Award. He talked about the need for physical, mental, moral and spiritual healing of our homeless veterans. He thinks deeply about this work, about learning, and the importance of education. With all the important positions he has held, we listened to a gracious, gentle, calm yet passionate man. Those singing his praises that evening were Andrew Dahlburg, who works with Dr. Robinson; Kahu Ken Makuakane, pastor of Kawaiahaʻo Church; our MacArthur Flournoy, Chaplain at IHS and Crossroads member; and Kahu David Baumgart Turner, our pastor.