Russell Robertson, MD, former Chicago Medical School dean and vice president of medical affairs, died May 31 at age 68 after battling a form of dementia known as frontotemporal degeneration.

From May 2011 to October 2013, Dr. Robertson served as CMS dean and professor with tenure in family medicine. While at CMS, he developed clinical partnerships with Chicagoland teaching hospitals Advocate Health and Lutheran General in Park Ridge, Illinois, and he also forged a partnership with Heartland Alliance for Human Needs and Human Rights.

He brought to 69É«ÇéƬ years of experience in academic and medical school administration, particularly from Northwestern University, where he served as professor and chair of the Department of Family and Community Medicine. Dr. Robertson welcomed the opportunity to come to CMS, believing that it was uniquely poised to be a “difference-maker” in responding to the demands of America’s evolving healthcare system.

Dr. Robertson earned his medical degree from Wayne State University and completed a residency in family practice, a specialty he loved that allowed him to develop relationships with whole families, from newborns to grandparents. He is survived by his wife, Sandra, children Judd and Amelia and their spouses, eight grandchildren, his mother-in-law and two siblings.

Sara Skoog is a staff writer with the 69É«ÇéƬ Division of Marketing and Brand Management. In addition to writing for Helix and other university publications, she also produces Pulse, 69É«ÇéƬ's monthly e-newsletter.