Sharon Robinson, Tallahassee

Clinical Coordinator, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare

“Some first ladies have an office and a whole staff,” Sharon Robinson laughed. “I wear green scrubs!”

Robinson cannot help but joke about the honorific. As the wife of FAMU president Larry Robinson, she may be the first lady, but Robinson puts on no airs.

As the clinical coordinator of acute care rehabilitation at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, Robinson acts as a physical therapist, team manager and comedian. Her sense of humor and infectious laugh distract patients from the discomfort that can accompany treatment.

“Being a physical therapist, I see people at their worst,” she said. “They’re in pain and they’re vulnerable, and while they’re in pain, I have to convince them that it’s a good idea to get up and move anyway.”

Medicine, education and family are at the heart of everything Robinson does.

At age 3, Robinson went to live on her grandfather’s farm near Memphis while her mother worked at a hospital in the city. Though simple, it was an idyllic childhood filled with farm animals and fresh-caught fish for Sunday breakfast.

Robinson later moved to Memphis with her mother. There, her African American teachers pushed their students to not limit themselves

“They felt that we had the capacity to excel,” she said, “and they wanted us to prove it.”

Robinson graduated among the top 10 students in her class and went on to Washington University where she played basketball and discovered her love of physical therapy.

“I had the opportunity to volunteer with some outstanding physical therapists,” Robinson said. “One was doing research to expand the knowledge of rehabilitation for stroke patients. It just clicked.”

In a single weekend, Robinson graduated from Washington University, married and enjoyed a brief honeymoon trip to Memphis’ Peabody Hotel. Her career began in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

Robinson advanced from physical therapist to director of rehab in Oak Ridge, spearheading the development of a new outpatient physical therapy department.

The couple took in Larry’s niece and nephew and soon had three daughters of their own. With a growing family, Larry’s passion for higher education led him to FAMU.

The Robinsons moved to Tallahassee in 1997. At FAMU, he began as an adjunct professor position, eventually became interim president, and in 2017, Larry became the permanent president of FAMU.

Suddenly, Robinson found herself in board meetings, hosting events like the Grape Harvest Festival and acting as a face for the university.

“It’s amazing, but it’s also surreal,” she said. “I keep seeing that picture of myself as a child at my grandparents’ house. I come from such humble beginnings.

“When I was a little girl, I remember seeing these kids from the local HBCU,” she added. “They were always well-groomed, well-dressed, articulate. They set the standard for me. I had this idea, even in high school, that I could not live up to that standard.”

Now, Robinson is setting her own standards — and she is bringing her family, patients and all at FAMU along with her.

“I hope I’m conducting myself in a way that shows young people that I recognize them for the value that they have and for the value that they will be to the world once they accomplish their goals in gaining this transformative education,” Robinson said.

Susan Skelton was nominated for the 2024 Pinnacle Awards by Becca Hardin, President and CEO, Bay Economic Development Alliance.

Videography by The Workmans