A new mobile community outreach program designed to deliver care to underserved children with
chronic diseases honors the distinguished career of a retired Carle Pediatrician.
Benjamin Robbins, MD, joined Carle in 1967. His colleagues credit him with building the foundation for Carle Pediatrics and instilling his passion for community outreach work in others.
Now, thanks to a group of founding contributors, the Dr. Benjamin Robbins Legacy Fund through Carle Health
Center for Philanthropy will provide the critical support needed to fund a series of specialty clinics
aboard the Carle Mobile Health Clinic.
These donations also help Carle exceed its $35 million goal for VISION 2020, a vital campaign to transform healthcare for the nearly 1.5 million people living within the Carle extended service region.
Robbins Legacy Fund will first focus on childhood asthma and will be the first specialty clinic funded.
“The impact these funds will have on children in our community who suffer from chronic conditions will
be life changing. Starting with asthma will allow these kids to do more than breathe better; they’ll be
able to play and learn and thrive,” Dr. Robbins said. “I’m so grateful for and humbled by the
overwhelming generosity shared on my behalf.”
Currently, Champaign County has the highest percentage in the state of Illinois of uninsured individuals
who seek care in the Emergency Department for asthma. The Robbins Asthma Specialty Clinic will help
families in underserved neighborhoods carry out the complex plans of care involved with caring for a
child with asthma.
“My father-in-law shared his time and talent with families in our community for 34 years,” Greg Cozad,
son-in-law of Dr. Robbins, said. Cozad along with his wife Kristie established the Robbins Legacy Fund.
“We’re excited to honor his legacy and have the opportunity to invest in quality medical services for
underserved children in our community.”
Primary Care Providers, Carle pediatric pulmonologists and other community partners, such as local
school districts will identify and refer children with asthma initially to the Robbins Asthma Specialty
Clinic.
“Anytime we can do something to improve the lives of children in our community, count us in,” said
James Liautaud, a founding contributor. “My wife, Leslie, and I want all children to have the chance to be successful, healthy and happy. The fact that our gift also honors one of Carle’s finest pediatricians is
simply a bonus.”
The Carle Mobile Health Clinic team along with Carle pediatricians and pulmonary specialists will provide
regular evaluations for children with respiratory illness or asthma flare-ups. They’ll also provide routine
follow-up assessments, assist patients who are frequently hospitalized or seen in the Carle Emergency
Department, and help families access routine primary care and community social services.
“The Robbins Asthma Specialty Clinic is a wonderful way to help us provide the best care possible for
these young members of our community,” David Chan, MD, associate chief medical officer of acute care
services for Carle Foundation Hospital, said. “Our ultimate goal is a program that provides consistent
high-quality, easily-accessible care. Like Dr. Robbins, we want to reach the underserved population
where they live and serve as a medical resource.”
To find out when the Carle Mobile Health Clinic is available near you, visit carle.org/MobileHealth
To contribute to the Dr. Benjamin Robbins Legacy Fund, please contact Carle Health Center for Philanthropy at
(217) 383-3021 or visit carle.org/give.
chronic diseases honors the distinguished career of a retired Carle Pediatrician.
Benjamin Robbins, MD, joined Carle in 1967. His colleagues credit him with building the foundation for Carle Pediatrics and instilling his passion for community outreach work in others.
Now, thanks to a group of founding contributors, the Dr. Benjamin Robbins Legacy Fund through Carle HealthCenter for Philanthropy will provide the critical support needed to fund a series of specialty clinics
aboard the Carle Mobile Health Clinic.
These donations also help Carle exceed its $35 million goal for VISION 2020, a vital campaign to transform healthcare for the nearly 1.5 million people living within the Carle extended service region.
Robbins Legacy Fund will first focus on childhood asthma and will be the first specialty clinic funded.
“The impact these funds will have on children in our community who suffer from chronic conditions will
be life changing. Starting with asthma will allow these kids to do more than breathe better; they’ll be
able to play and learn and thrive,” Dr. Robbins said. “I’m so grateful for and humbled by the
overwhelming generosity shared on my behalf.”
Currently, Champaign County has the highest percentage in the state of Illinois of uninsured individuals
who seek care in the Emergency Department for asthma. The Robbins Asthma Specialty Clinic will help
families in underserved neighborhoods carry out the complex plans of care involved with caring for a
child with asthma.
“My father-in-law shared his time and talent with families in our community for 34 years,” Greg Cozad,
son-in-law of Dr. Robbins, said. Cozad along with his wife Kristie established the Robbins Legacy Fund.
“We’re excited to honor his legacy and have the opportunity to invest in quality medical services for
underserved children in our community.”
Primary Care Providers, Carle pediatric pulmonologists and other community partners, such as local
school districts will identify and refer children with asthma initially to the Robbins Asthma Specialty
Clinic.
“Anytime we can do something to improve the lives of children in our community, count us in,” said
James Liautaud, a founding contributor. “My wife, Leslie, and I want all children to have the chance to be successful, healthy and happy. The fact that our gift also honors one of Carle’s finest pediatricians is
simply a bonus.”
The Carle Mobile Health Clinic team along with Carle pediatricians and pulmonary specialists will provide
regular evaluations for children with respiratory illness or asthma flare-ups. They’ll also provide routine
follow-up assessments, assist patients who are frequently hospitalized or seen in the Carle Emergency
Department, and help families access routine primary care and community social services.
“The Robbins Asthma Specialty Clinic is a wonderful way to help us provide the best care possible for
these young members of our community,” David Chan, MD, associate chief medical officer of acute care
services for Carle Foundation Hospital, said. “Our ultimate goal is a program that provides consistent
high-quality, easily-accessible care. Like Dr. Robbins, we want to reach the underserved population
where they live and serve as a medical resource.”
To find out when the Carle Mobile Health Clinic is available near you, visit carle.org/MobileHealth
To contribute to the Dr. Benjamin Robbins Legacy Fund, please contact Carle Health Center for Philanthropy at
(217) 383-3021 or visit carle.org/give.
Categories: Community
Tags: Carle Health Center for Philanthropy, Champaign-Urbana, community, giving, pediatrics, philanthropy