Following completion of his surgical internship at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, he was commissioned.

After completing a fellowship in colon and rectal surgery at Carle Foundation Hospital, University of Illinois School of Medicine (1984–85), Robinson reported to the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, as the head of the Colon and Rectal Surgery Division.

While at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Robinson earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of South Florida.

In August 1999, Robinson reported to the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED) as the director of readiness and was selected as the principal director of clinical and program policy in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs in September 2000, where he also served as the acting deputy assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, clinical and program policy.

He assumed the duties as commander of Navy Medicine National Capital Area Region in October 2005.