There are moments in one’s life that add perspective and provide purpose. For some, it happens later in life, for others, it happens at an earlier stage. That was the case for Krishea “Kris” Robinson, whose call to service and passion for helping others began at a young age.

Robinson played many sports in junior high school, including gymnastics, swimming and basketball. She was inspired by the sports medicine physicians and sports therapists who were on the sidelines to immediately treat injured athletes. Having the doctors and therapists readily available to help, she says, “inspired me to be someone who is always there to help anyone and everyone who needs it.”

A few years later, a health scare reinforced this idea for her. For months, she experienced a number of symptoms, including excruciating pain. Robinson saw many doctors and specialists who could not figure out what was wrong, until she and her mother found a specialist who advised her to undergo exploratory surgery. That procedure resulted in a diagnosis of stage 3 endometriosis.

“Since then, I wanted a job that helps people, but I always wanted to be a silent hero,” she says. “I truly want to be the support whose main concern is to help the patient any way I can.”

Robinson enrolled at a magnet high school, where she studied in the health science program. During high school, she volunteered as a physical therapy assistant at the University of Maryland Rehabilitation & Orthopaedic Institute, formerly known as Kernan Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation Hospital. In that role, she disinfected equipment, filed charts and confirmed appointments.

After graduating from high school, she worked various jobs in the service industry to pay tuition while in college. Robinson subsequently made her way back to health care, working as a patient service representative at Chase Brexton Health Care before joining the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Medicine.

“The transition into the ophthalmic field was challenging,” says Robinson. “I didn’t know anything about ophthalmology. I felt overwhelmed, but the staff at Wilmer was understanding and helpful.”

Robinson began working at Wilmer in the fall of 2018 as a patient service coordinator at the Columbia satellite location. In September 2019, she was approached by Dean Glaros, chief of Wilmer - Columbia, who was impressed by her work and encouraged her to become an ophthalmic technician. The same year, she joined the Wilmer float pool, earned an ophthalmic scribe certification and, in February 2021, she became a certified ophthalmic assistant.

This past July, Robinson embarked on a new journey at the Wilmer Eye Institute. After a year as a patient service coordinator and nearly three years as an ophthalmic technician in the float pool, Robinson is now the clinical and research coordinator for Sezen Karakus, assistant professor of ophthalmology in Wilmer’s Division of Comprehensive Eye Care.

“When I started as a faculty member at Wilmer four years ago, Kris was assigned to me as a patient service coordinator. She always went above and beyond, and worked to improve things during her busy schedule. She would see the areas to improve and develop solutions ready to implement. I knew she would be the best person for this position,” says Karakus.

According to Karakus, the clinical and research coordinator is responsible for ensuring the clinic runs smoothly — regularly checking and rearranging clinic appointments, addressing patient and medication-related issues, coordinating authorizations, providing staff support and monitoring supply inventory. 

Robinson is also the lead study coordinator on the multicenter randomized controlled trials Karakus conducts. In this role, she coordinates study visits, communicates with the contract research organization and sponsor, ensures compliance with federal guidelines and institutional policies, and works with on-site monitors during visits. 

“My experience at Wilmer has prepared me for my role with Dr. Karakus,” says Robinson. “While there were many challenges — including new roles, duties, clinic flow and research — having prior experience at Wilmer has made the transition and my new role easier.” 

Even though Robinson has only been in the role for a few months, Karakus recognizes she has already made a significant impact on clinic flow and patient care. “Our efficiency and productivity have started improving,” notes Karakus. “In addition, we always maintain two-way communication and value each other’s opinions, which makes us a perfect team. I receive great feedback about her from my patients.”

In May 2022, Robinson earned a Bachelor of Science in health information management from Coppin State University. In the coming months, she is looking forward to passing the registered health information administrator exam — a comprehensive assessment that measures knowledge of medical, administrative, ethical and legal requirements and standards related to health care delivery and privacy of protected patient information. At the suggestion of Karakus, she also recently signed up for an intensive research coordinator training program at the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing to eventually become certified by the Association of Clinical Research Professionals as a clinical research coordinator. 

“We need leaders who can amplify capability and intelligence within their organizations,” says Karakus. “Kris is an excellent example of how we could do that. I am so grateful that our paths crossed.”