Executive Q&A: Pain management doctor adds medical spa to his Oklahoma City practice

His staff — which today numbers 17 — has been able to stabilize the pain of many Oklahomans so they could function, Robinson said.

Still, he said, about one-third of his patients don't improve as expected, even using every conventional tool available.

The statistic spurred Robinson on a quest that ultimately led to his opening in October a medical spa adjacent to his pain management practice at 3110 SW 89. Along with hormone replacement therapy and natural anti-inflammatory agents, which are used to ease pain patients' depression, fatigue and pain, Longevity offers weight-loss programs, aesthetic treatments and more.

“The business of beauty and wellness is expected to grow exponentially, largely because of aging baby boomers,” said Robinson, 44, who recently became certified with the Florida-based American Academy of Anti-Aging.

He sat down with The Oklahoman recently to talk about his professional and personal life. This is an edited transcript:

Q: Tell us about your roots.

A: I was born and raised in Richmond, Va., and have a sister three years younger. My mother was a nurse, and my father worked in management for Philip Morris Cigarettes. In high school, I ran track, and played basketball and football (quarterback and free safety).

I always did well in school and decided as a sophomore to become a physician. As a kid, I was intrigued by how packed our doctor's waiting room was and figured he must have an important job. I earned my undergraduate, in zoology and chemistry, from Howard University in Washington, D.C., and studied medicine at the Medical College of Virginia.