ARTHUR S. ROBBINS, principal for Providence-based Robbins Properties Inc., recently received the New England Association for Healthcare Philanthropy’s 2019 Distinguished Service to Philanthropy Award. In his 30 years on the board of directors for HopeHealth, Robbins helped create the hospice provider’s Philanthropy Committee. He led campaigns to build the provider’s first inpatient hospice facility on Maude Street in Providence and the current Philip Hulitar Hospice Center on North Main Street.
What inspired you to devote your time to philanthropic efforts? My parents and family for many years were involved in secular and nonsecular activities to benefit the community. When I started in business … I quickly came to the realization that I needed an outlet to help people in need. … Over the years I have found that by being involved philanthropically, it has taken away the stress of business activities.
What were the core reasons you felt an inpatient hospice facility was needed when the Philanthropy Committee was formed? As awareness of hospice grew, there was a demand for a place where patients could come if their spouse or family couldn’t take care of them at home. The board decided to explore the possibility of establishing a unit in an existing health care facility. I was having a conversation with the president of [the] Elmhurst skilled nursing facility on Smith Hill and one thing led to another, and he was able to allocate 10 rooms for us. And then we formed a committee to raise the funds necessary to establish it.
How pleased are you to see the organization’s efforts as a result of these initiatives? I couldn’t be happier to see how our hospice has moved forward from the 10 beds we initially had to the 24-bed, free-standing facility we now have at 1085 North Main St. We care for nearly 600 patients on hospice each day, in the Hulitar Center, their homes, assisted living, the hospital or a skilled nursing facility.
Kindly describe the work you do with the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council and the Butler Hospital Foundation and the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau. I chaired the committee to establish Butler Hospital’s first chair in neurodegenerative disorders in honor of [the late] Dr. Stanley Aronson. The committee has raised $1.2 million and continues to raise funds for that purpose. I also helped found the Providence Convention & Visitors Bureau in 1976, because the hotel industry was coming of age in Providence and it needed an organization that would coordinate bringing conventions and meetings to the state. It’s now the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau and it’s really raised the profile of Greater Providence and our beautiful state.
Do you have new philanthropic efforts in the pipeline? I’m still working with the Providence Parks Department to re-create the Wall of Hope memorial at Waterplace Park that was established to commemorate 9/11. But hospice is always my No. 1 cause.
