Philip Cameron Robinson, 1979–2023

Associate Professor Philip Cameron Robinson, Australasian Rheumatologist, and co-founder of the COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance (GRA), died in Brisbane on 3 January 2023 aged 43 years after a short illness. His death leaves a crater in the worldwide rheumatology landscape and a massive hole in the lives of his wife Helen and young sons Tom and Eddie. Phil was born in Wellington, New Zealand on 9 June 1979, joining brother Colin as children of Fran and David. He arrived with a surprising shock of red hair and a vivacity and personality to match. Younger brother Cliff completed the family. Phil's leadership was obvious within the family dynamic from the very beginning, but always with consideration and kindness. Compassion and empathy were clearly strongpoints. Phil's late mother Fran kept a memorabilia box titled ‘Precious records’. In it there is a note from Phil, aged 11, marked ‘From Philip on a day when I was feeling low. August 1990’. It contains a list: ‘Things that Mum is Good At’ including architecture, swimming, making people happy, giving advice, loving us, gardening and cooking. Fran added a column: ‘Things that Phil is Good At’ including suggesting family activities, solving conflicts, all artwork, tree-huts, adventure activities, pitching in to help in emergencies, cooking, organising parties, dress sense and lighting fires. Phil cheekily added on to the end of his list of skills: ‘supporting Mum’. Phil's secondary school report noted at the age of 16 that he was ‘social, caring and helpful, but occasionally needing to be reminded of the advantages of abiding by the few school rules’. Phil went to Otago University but at the end of year, he missed out on a place in Medical School by a few marks. In a stroke of great luck for both Phil and the medical profession, two students dropped out at the end of the first term, and he was offered a place. He would have to do extra work over the holidays to catch up, but hard work was never a problem for Phil. Subsequently, he undertook specialty training in Dunedin and Wellington. In the latter location Phil, already commanding a reputation as the hardest working registrar, met Helen Tanner, an intern, in 2007. Helen had asked for a medical consultation on a surgical patient. Phil set out to impress with his medical knowledge. They met again later at a bar when Helen was relatively immobile due to a ruptured Achilles tendon. Phil stayed with her delivering her drinks. History suggests he aced the medical consultation and supplied sufficient drinks, as they married in October 2010 and remained inseparable. Phil received his rheumatology FRACP in 2010 and relocated to Queensland (QLD), commencing his PhD in the genetics of axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpA) at the then Diamantina Institute (at University of Queensland [UQ]). From the moment he entered the world of QLD rheumatology it was obvious Phil was special. He was a vibrant, dynamic intellectual with a ridiculously infectious laugh and smiling face. He loved to dress well at work, often wearing his suit jacket and pants to work, eventually without the tie, a reluctant concession to Brisbane's climate. Phil completed his PhD in 2014 and commenced postdoctoral study at Queensland Brain Institute, UQ, as the ARA-RACP Starr Research Fellow. Within just 8 years of completing his PhD, Phil was an Associate Professor with UQ, had published over 170 articles with more than 6000 citations and had an h-index of 44. His research interests were broad and included AxSpA and inflammatory eye disease amongst others, but his original devotion to gout never waned. In 2014, Phil started as a staff specialist at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, providing patient care and mentoring trainees. He was an astute clinician, with a deceptively straightforward yet nuanced and compassionate approach to patient care. Many patients appreciated his clear and concise explanations and ability to cut straight to the heart of the problem. His enthusiasm for improving all aspects of health care extended to teaching and training. Whether he was delivering a talk about his beloved gout to GPs or educating trainees on the nuances of spondyloarthritis, inspiring them to be the future of Australian Rheumatology, he approached it with characteristic gusto and humility. At the onset of the COVID pandemic, Phil was instrumental in seizing that critical moment to help establish the COVID-19 GRA. His contribution was phenomenal, outlined beautifully in a recent article. The alliance he helped build may be his defining contribution to the field of rheumatology, blending his skills as a clinician and researcher with those of a true leader and dedicated educator. Initially connecting through Twitter, Phil and his collaborators rapidly harnessed the energy of multiple research and clinical groups, individual rheumatologists and researchers and patient partners across the world in a remarkably productive and collegiate endeavour. His ability to connect people in the most uncertain of times has had an enormous impact on the care of people with rheumatic diseases during the pandemic. The GRA will remain a model for global research collaboration in times of crisis. Phil's contributions to the Australian Rheumatology Association Queensland (ARAQ) were extensive and long-lasting. His sharp business skills were noteworthy, but he will also be remembered as a tough but fair beach volleyball player. Phil instigated the Golden Jandal award at the ARAQ ASM, scheduling the event as ‘strategies to prevent physician burn out’. The annual event brought together rheumatologists, nurses, allied health professionals, scientists and their families in the spirit of friendly competition. Phil proudly maintained the trophy over the years, including the cheekily inaccurate list of winning teams. Sadly, a typical QLD summer storm prevented the 2022 game from even starting. However, led by Phil, the assembled would-be players pivoted to another of his loves, having a drink and a chat. In 2020, Phil took on the role of Federal ARA Treasurer and Board Director. He navigated the ARA, a small, not-for-profit, volunteer-driven organisation, through the financial challenges of a global pandemic with skill and tenacity. He was clear thinking at board meetings, never fearful to state the truth or ask difficult questions, always willing to challenge the status quo for the good of the organisation. Phil helped drive major structural changes in the organisation that would allow the ARA to work towards its goal of supporting members and other health professionals to provide the best possible care for people with musculoskeletal and related inflammatory conditions based on the very latest research, which ARA members constantly contribute to. In many ways, he epitomised this goal. Phil was a longstanding member of the RACP Rheumatology Advanced Training Committee. His accreditation site visits were noteworthy for his desire to take down rather than put up barriers. Passionately supportive of women, he played an important part in establishing flexible training in rheumatology in New South Wales. He supervised many advanced trainees with wisdom, energy and commitment that was infectious. When anyone expressed hesitancy about following a certain career path or direction, he would characteristically advise them to ‘just go for it’. Phil was also a great contributor to Arthritis Queensland (AQ) for many years. He served as a Director, a donor and a guide. Volunteers, staff and consumers will forever be grateful for his wisdom, generosity and leadership in helping deliver on AQ's vision of Freedom From Arthritis. While his interest in research and teaching never dimmed, Phil loved business and dreamed of establishing a large collaborative private practice. It is bittersweet that Brisbane Rheumatology transformed into just such a practice only months ago and he will miss out on seeing the continued growth of his long-term dream. Family was incredibly precious to Phil. He fiercely supported his wife Helen in her clinical and academic career and was enormously proud of her many achievements. He loved their boys, Tom, born in 2015, and Eddie, born in 2018. His face would light up as he recalled playing Lego, puzzles, baking, swimming, tennis, reading and their cherished family beach holidays. Many colleagues and collaborators hold fond memories of Phil in video conference meetings from home when Eddie or Tom would crawl all over him with great relish. Phil would patiently explain to them what he was doing, encapsulating how he trod the path of family man and professional so deftly. Phil built a great life and career and has been acknowledged across many social media platforms, befitting a man who loved to tweet and bring people together. He was an everyday leader whose actions changed many professional lives, often probably without even knowing it. His friendly face, ready grin and easy laugh will be missed. His mother noted more than 30 years ago that one of Phil's skills was lighting fires. His irrepressible nature has sparked a fire in many throughout the world. Those flames will flicker onwards and burn brightest in his wife Helen and sons Tom and Eddie. Fellow rheumatologist, enthusiastically terrible karaoke singer, lover of good chardonnay and whisky, hilarious beach volleyball player, discerning researcher, prolific tweeter, collaborative leader, great birthday cake baker, savvy businessman, generous and wise mentor, deeply loyal friend, fiercely supportive husband and passionate dad. Phil will be missed by so many but never forgotten. Claire Barrett and Sam Whittle With thanks to Phil's wife Helen Tanner, friends Helen Benham, Evan Bursle and Paul Kubler and all others who have offered messages of condolence that allowed this tribute to be compiled.