How a Surgeon Turned Global Advocate Built a Career Beyond the Operating Room:
Dr. Harrell E. Robinson has spent more than three decades in medicine, but his work stretches far beyond the exam room. With a career rooted in ear, nose, and throat surgery, he has built a life shaped by business, global health, and purpose.
“I’ve always believed in using every opportunity to help people—whether that’s through medicine, education, or building something that lasts,” he says.
This is the story of a physician who’s not just healing patients but building systems that heal communities.
Early Life: A Foundation of Faith, Family, and Focus
Dr. Robinson was born in Thomasville, Alabama, and raised in Florida as the first male of seven siblings. “My parents raised us to work hard and put God first. My father was a preacher, and all of us kids became doctors, lawyers, and professionals,” he says.
Education came naturally. Four of the siblings were high school valedictorians. Harrell followed suit, graduating valedictorian from Oakwood Academy in 1970. He went on to study chemistry and biology at Oakwood University, earning honors and awards, including a Physics Award and a French scholarship. He was accepted into Loma Linda University School of Medicine, completing the program in just three years.
Medical Career: Building a Practice and a Vision
After residency training in Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery and Facial Plastic Surgery, Dr. Robinson opened his private ENT practice in Orange County, California in 1984.
“I didn’t just want a job—I wanted to build something. That’s why I opened my own practice. I believed I could make a bigger impact that way.”
Over the next 33+ years, he built a respected name in the community and even developed a surgery center. But his ambitions weren’t confined to the U.S.
Global Healing: From Bangkok to the World
During his residency, Dr. Robinson traveled to Bangkok, Thailand, and the Cambodian refugee camps. There, he performed surgeries for people with no access to care. That trip changed his life.
“I saw things I couldn’t ignore. I knew I had to do more than just treat people in one city.”
That experience led him to launch Global Healing Inc., a foundation focused on building hospitals and providing medical care in underserved areas. His work has spanned Laos, Mexico, Africa, Texas, Nevada, and beyond. He also spends time in the Philippines, where he’s helped the Mayne Tribe for nearly a decade—providing food, clothing, and shelter.
“It’s not about numbers. It’s about showing up for people who have been forgotten,” he says.
New Ventures: Law, Family, and Business
In 2019, Dr. Robinson started a new chapter—this time, outside of medicine. He partnered with his wife, an immigration attorney, to launch ATR Law Group PLLC in Phoenix, Arizona.
Now serving as both CEO and CFO, he brings his leadership skills from healthcare into the world of legal business.
“My wife runs the legal side. I handle the structure, strategy, and growth. It’s the same mindset I had when building my clinic—it just applies differently.”
Their sons are now following in their footsteps, studying pre-law and pre-med. It’s a full-circle moment.
Business Planning and Infrastructure: A Global Strategy
One of Dr. Robinson’s major passions is developing business plans for hospitals and clinics worldwide. He treats this as a serious business discipline, using his experience to create infrastructure in areas where medical care is scarce.
“We’re planning hospitals in Laos, Africa, and even rural parts of the U.S. I spend a lot of time building out strategies for these projects.”
He brings hands-on experience to the table—from medical care to legal business operations—something rare in both sectors.
Hobbies, Health, and Balance
Despite his full plate, Dr. Robinson maintains a focus on personal wellness. He plays golf, works out 3-4 times a week, and enjoys cycling, basketball, and painting.
“You have to take care of yourself to take care of others. That’s something I’ve always practiced.”
Why His Work Matters Today
Dr. Robinson’s path stands out in a healthcare system often bogged down by bureaucracy. He’s taken an entrepreneurial approach to solving healthcare gaps, with firsthand knowledge of both patient care and infrastructure development.
His story also reflects something deeper: how one individual can blend faith, discipline, and service into a career that leaves a mark across continents.
“When I think about legacy, I don’t think about titles or wealth. I think about the people I’ve helped. That’s the only thing that lasts.”
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