Drew Robinett, M.D.

I love song/dance, and I sang and choreographed for an a cappella group in college that performed ~100 concerts/year and traveled to all 6 inhabited continents! I love puzzles/games, especially collaborative ones like escape rooms (I have done 12 so far; one in South Africa!). I am the gamemaster for my friends' Dungeons and Dragons group. I love playing and watching basketball; go Sacramento Kings! I was a Science Olympiad gold medalist in ornithology in high school. I also love cartoons and bar trivia!

Why did you choose UCLA for Residency?

What really stood out about UCLA RR/OV was the diversity of training. The opportunity to practice at one of the world’s most complex tertiary centers in Ronald Reagan, a lower resource safety net hospital in Olive View, and a fast paced procedural experience at a community shop in Antelope Valley seemed ideal for preparing me to excel as a physician in any future environment. Beyond the breadth of training, the program’s strong dedication to education at both the resident and medical school level appealed to my interests as a someday doctor-teacher-administrator. And of course, the real reason, UCLA is located in a fun and beautiful SoCal paradise.

What is your favorite place to visit/thing(s) to do in/memory from living in LA? If you have never lived here before, what are you most excited about?

I’ve never lived in LA before! But my biggest excitement for moving down south is split between the gorgeous weather and all the fun activities to do around the city. Residency may be busy, but I’m definitely getting my money’s worth from some Disneyland and Magic Mountain season passes.

What do you do in your free time? What hobbies do you have? 

I love games! Board games, video games, D&D, escape rooms, or the occasional drinking game; I’m always down to goof off with some friends under the loose guidance of a rulebook. I also like pick-up basketball and I’m a diehard Sacramento Kings fan (the Lakers are fine too I guess…). And I love singing and dancing, but since college, my audience is mostly limited to my very patient friends and family.

What are your areas of interest within EM or future career plans? 

I am interested in teaching and administration. There’s not much as satisfying and fun as sharing whatever pearls I have gleaned in my training so far with new learners to help them feel more confident in their abilities. I hope to be in a position throughout my career to help future ED docs feel confident, empowered, and proud of the care they provide for their patients.

Are there any projects or outside extracurricular you are working on? 

I’m working on an interview study of medical students at UCSF about the integration of the basic sciences into clinical case-based curricula. I also really enjoy volunteering with organizations supporting individuals with developmental disabilities.

What is your go-to song to get pumped up on shift?

All Star by Smash Mouth

Any hidden talent(s)?

I never get brain freezes!

Who would you be if you could be any superhero?

Shazam! All the power of Superman, none of the responsibility

Where would we find you if not in the department (ie. couch, beach, wilderness, climbing, etc.)?

Japan! Amazingly rich tradition and culture, delicious food, and lots of new activities to try!