Improbable MD

Named one of the “Most Influential Blacks in Corporate America” by Savoy Magazine


“40 Under 40” by Crain’s Chicago Business


“40 Game Changers Under 40” by Ariel Investments and WVON Radio


“Notable Black Leaders and Executives” by Crain’s Chicago Business


“Leadership in Healthcare Award” by National Medical Fellowships Inc.


“Hero in Emergency Medicine Award” by the American College of Emergency Physicians


"...Like a spicy gumbo, overflowing with delicious flavors, Improbable MD is an inspiring memoir bursting with amazing details that take the reader on a wonderful journey."

Robert H. Jordan, Jr., Ph.D. - Retired Anchor/Reporter, WGN Television, Chicago


“Improbable MD shares the inspiring journey of Dr. Robinson, from a small southern town; how overcoming obstacles and personal loss as well as powerful stories about individuals along the way that saw potential and pushed him forward. This narrative shapes his unique contributions as an ER physician, mentor, and servant leader. His inaugural book is a must read, especially for young people and early career adults who have an interest in healthcare. “

Regina Benjamin, MD, MBA - 18th U.S. Surgeon General


In Improbable MD, Dr. Derek J. Robinson traces his unlikely journey from fishing on the bayous of Louisiana, to an ER and helicopter flight physician in Chicago, to leadership in some of the US' largest health care organizations.


The grandson of a sharecropper and son of a single mother, Derek grew up in a working-class neighborhood in Shreveport, LA. A graduate of the city's public schools, he saw first-hand the difference that access to quality education and health care made within his own family.  He shares how his dream of being a doctor became a reality, despite the odds, and why he believes mentoring and investing in young people is vital to the health of our nation.


Dr. Robinson takes the reader inside the ER, where he has treated victims of gun violence and shares how split-second clinical decisions and the trust of his patients, shaped his appreciation for being a doctor. But even with many years of training, he exposes how it feels to reach the limits of what he can offer patients and even shares the pain and lessons he has learned from the illness and loss of family members. Beyond the walls of the ER, Dr. Robinson explains how he became a business leader in health care and an influential voice in boardrooms.


Through sharing his inspirations and tribulations, Dr. Robinson inspires readers to push beyond both self-doubt and external obstacles to pursue their dreams. In telling his story, he shares the roles that faith, friendship, love, and fatherhood have played in his life, and he hopes to motivate readers to chart their own journeys to successful and fulfilling lives.