Elected 2003
Robert F. Austin, MD, is the President of R. J. Austin Consultant, Development and Training in Houston, Texas and has over 46 years experience as a pediatrician. He is the founder of Project Medical Home (PMH) through Texas Children’s Pediatric Associates (TCPA), a subsidiary of Texas Children’s Hospital. Dr. Austin was instrumental in forging a collaborative partnership between Texas Children’s Pediatric Associates, the Baylor College of Medicine, and Harris County to establish PMH and served for five years as the director of the first center TCPA CULLEN. In addition, through his history and community service, he has identified and created collaborative relationships with several private and non-profit programs to address the broader needs of children and adolescents. Dr. Austin also has an appointment at Baylor College of Medicine in the Department of Pediatrics as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Pediatrics. Dr. Austin received a Bachelor of Arts from Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa. Following three years of military service in the Air Force, he pursued a graduate degree in biology from Boston College. Dr. Austin attended Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee, where he received his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1963. He completed his medical training with a Pediatric Residency at Upstate Medical Center, State University of New York as well as a Fellowship in Hematology from Tufts University, affiliated with Boston City Hospital. Following Pediatric residency and Fellowship in Hematology he established the Pediatric Hematology Section at Upstate Medical Center, Syracuse New York. In addition to his professional positions, consultancies, academic appointments and affiliations with professional organizations, Dr. Austin works continuously to serve the community. He has received numerous awards and honors including an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from Grinnell College for his efforts as a child advocate in health and education. He is also the recipient of the highly coveted Savvy Award, again awarded for his advocacy for children's health and education. He received the Maconda B. O'Conner award at the annual Children at Risk Luncheon on October 14, 2010, recognizing Dr. Austin's efforts to help shape the healthy outcome of children throughout Houston. Currently, Dr. Austin serves as the Chairman of the Advisory Committee for the Michael E. DeBakey High School for Health Professions. He is on the Board of Directors for The Collaborative for Children and is on the Board of Trustees at Grinnell College.
