Ablin Lecturers
2014: Jon Hobson Robertson, MD
Past chairman, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Tennessee
Lecture: The Challenge of Future Neurosurgical Education
Dr. Jon Hobson Robertson attended Southwestern College (now Rhodes) in Memphis, Tennessee, receiving his BA degree in 1968. He graduated from the University of Tennessee Medical School in 1971. After completing an internship and a year of General Surgery at the City Of Memphis Hospitals, he worked as an ER physician and in general practice for several years before beginning his residency in Neurosurgery in 1975 at the University of Tennessee Center for the Health Sciences.
Immediately following completion of his residency training in 1979, Dr. Robertson became a member of the Semmes-Murphey Clinic and Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Tennessee Center for Health Sciences. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 1984, served as Interim Chairman 1995-1996, and assumed the Chairmanship of the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Tennessee in 1997. He retired from the University of Tennessee in July, 2011. Dr. Robertson has continued a limited practice with the Semmes-Murphey Clinic, and enjoyed his role as a senior faculty member in the UT Neurosurgical Department.
Dr. Robertson has been active in numerous national and local neurosurgical organizations. He was President of the North American Skull Base Society in 2002, President of the Society of University Neurosurgeons in 2005, President of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons in 2008, and served as a Director on the American Board of Neurological Surgeons 2000-2006. Over the past two decades he has served on the Board of Directors of Semmes- Murphey Neurologic & Spine Institute and the Medical Education & Research Institute (MERI) in Memphis, Tennessee.
Each year, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons recognizes a neurosurgeon who has made significant contributions to the neurosurgical specialty through leadership, service and dedication. In April 2013, the AANS bestowed Jon H. Robertson, FAANS, with its highest member honor, the Harvey Cushing Medal. In addition to his volunteer and academic activities, Dr. Robertson has maintained an active practice in neurological surgery with the Semmes-Murphey Neurologic & Spine Institute for the past 35 years. His clinical practice has focused on the surgical management of tumors affecting the cranial base of the skull. Parents of five children and grandparents of twelve, Dr. Robertson and his wife, Carol Ann, have been married for 46 years. Dr. Robertson enjoys fly-fishing and spending time with his family.
