Robin Pavlich (Staerkel) Blackstone MD FACS (She/Her)

Summary

• Robin (Staerkel) Blackstone, MD, is a New York-based general surgeon with a subspecialty in bariatric surgery. She completed her surgical residency at the University of Colorado and graduated from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio in 1988. She completed a Masters Certificate in Sustainability and Digital Technology from MIT in 2024 and Artificial Intelligence and Ethics in Healthcare at Oxford SAID Business School in 2025. Her professional experience includes owning a large multi-surgeon independent practice, working within the Banner Health/University of Arizona System and executive positions including Director of Surgery at University Hospital for Banner Health in Phoenix and SVP of Global Medical Affairs for Ethicon. Her leadership includes serving as the first woman President of her surgical society. She is an involved in the biotechnology ecosystem as an investor and has recently authored a book calling for a 28th Health Amendment to the Constitution, which will be published in the 1st quarter of 2026.