Luther D. Robinson, M.D.

1984 Solomon Carter Fuller Award Recipient

Lecture Title: Education for Psychiatry

Dr. Robinson earned his M.D. from Meharry Medical College School of Medicine in 1946 and later became an associate professor emeritus of psychiatry at Howard University College of Medicine. A trailblazer in the field, Dr. Robinson dedicated his career to advancing mental health services for the deaf community. In 1963, he made history by becoming the first African American superintendent of St. Elizabeths Hospital and establishing its groundbreaking mental health program for the deaf. Throughout his tenure, he became renowned as a leading authority on the treatment of deaf patients with brain disorders.

Dr. Robinson's contributions have been widely recognized, earning him numerous awards. In 1999, he was honored at the First World Conference on Mental Health and Deafness, held at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. Additionally, the Connecticut Mental Health Association established Robinson House in recognition of his tireless efforts to improve mental health care for deaf individuals. He was also esteemed as a Life Member of the APA and received the prestigious Solomon Carter Fuller Award in 1984.