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Neurosurgeon
Semmes-Murphey Clinic
Jon Hobson Robertson, MD, FAANS was born on June 25, 1946, in Memphis, Tennessee. As a child his family moved to Independence, Louisiana, a small farming community in southeast Louisiana, where he was raised on a farm.
Graduating from high school in 1963, he moved back to Memphis and attended Southwestern University (now Rhodes College), made possible by a football scholarship. He received his B.A. degree in 1968.
Dr. Robertson was awarded his Medical degree from the University of Tennessee Center for the Health Sciences in Memphis in 1971, and completed a year of internship and general surgery at the City of Memphis Hospitals 1971-1973.
He conducted a family practice clinic and worked as an emergency room physician until entering the University of Tennessee -Semmes-Murphey Clinic Neurosurgical residency program in 1975. Upon completion of his neurosurgical residency in 1979, Dr. Robertson joined the faculty of the University of Tennessee Department of Neurosurgery and became a member of the Semmes-Murphey Clinic in Memphis. His neurosurgical practice focused on the management of complex skull base tumors. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 1984, and became Professor and Chairman of the UT Department of Neurosurgery in 1997. He stepped down as Chair of the UT program in July 2011. Although he has limited his clinical practice, he continues to enjoy his teaching role as a senior faculty member.
Dr. Robertson is a member of numerous neurosurgical societies, and has served in leadership roles as President of the North American Skull Base Society (2002), President of the Society of University Neurosurgeons (2005), President of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (2008), and as a Director on the American Board of Neurological Surgeons (2000-2006). In April 2013, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons awarded Dr. Robertson, with its highest member honor, the Harvey Cushing Medal. Since 2014 he has served as Chairman of the Neurosurgery Research & Education Foundation (NREF), the philanthropic arm of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. He recently stepped down as Chairman, but remains on the NREF Board of Directors as Vice Chair.
Parents of five children and grandparents of twelve, Dr. Robertson and his wife, Carol Ann, have been married for 54 years. Dr. Robertson enjoys fly-fishing, music, gardening, hiking, and spending time with his family.
Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose
Introduction of Distinguished Advocate Award
Sunday, April 27, 2025
8:51 AM – 8:53 AM EDT