Alexa J. Robbins, MD, MHA
Assistant Professor, Division of Pediatric Surgery
Email
Office Phone
Assistant Professor, Division of Pediatric Surgery
Administrative Contact
Stephanie McLean | [email protected] | 612-626-4530
Fax Number
612-624-6969
Address
2450 Riverside Ave S
AOB-510
Minneapolis, MN 55455
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Biography
Dr. Robbins obtained her medical degree at Georgetown University. She then completed her general surgical residency at the University of Minnesota. During her academic development years in residency, she completed an executive Masters in Healthcare Administration, a fellowship in Hospice and Palliative medicine and performed a wide range of research including in surgical palliative care. After residency, Dr. Robbins completed her pediatric surgery fellowship at Children's Hospital of Colorado. She is most proud of her role as a parent of her two young kids with her husband.
Her clinical interests include neonatal and pediatric general and thoracic surgery, minimally invasive surgery and pediatric surgical oncology. Her research interests surround the integration of pediatric surgery and palliative care. Specifically, in how we can better support patients and their families as they are faced with difficult medical decisions.
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Education
Medical School
Doctor of Medicine, Georgetown University School of Medicine
Residency
University of Minnesota Medical School, General Surgery Residency
Fellowships
Children’s Hospital of Colorado University of Colorado, Pediatric Surgery Fellowship
University of Minnesota Medical School, Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship
Additional Details
Bachelor of Science, Boston University, Sargent College,
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN Executive Masters of Healthcare Administration
University of Minnesota - Resident Leadership Academy
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Publications
Selected Publications
- Playforth KB, Coughlan A, Upadhya KK. The Association between Insurance Status and
Acceptance of Chlamydia Screening By Teenagers Who Present for Preventive Care
Visits. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2016 Feb;29(1):62-4. doi: 10.1016/j.jpag.2015.06.008.
Epub 2015 Jun 19. PMID: 26099698 - Muratore S, Coughlan A, Glover JK, Statz CL, Weinert C, Kline SE, Beilman GJ.
Electronically Triggered Sepsis Alert in Non-Intensive Care Inpatients Using Modified
Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome Criteria: A Retrospective Observational
Study with In-Depth Analysis of Surgical Patients. Surg Infect (Larchmt). 2019
May/Jun;20(4):278-285. doi: 10.1089/sur.2018.228. Epub 2019 Feb 6. PMID: 30724713 - Coughlan AJ, McEachron KR, Skube ME, Muratore S, Bellin MD, Beilman GJ. Where’s
Waldo? Extrahepatic Site Options for Islet Transplantation. OBM Transplantation
2019;3(1):21; doi:10.21926/obm.transplant.1901042. - Robbins A, Arries C, Mettler T, Rothenberger M, Beilman G. Uncommon etiology of
chronic pancreatitis - Histoplasmosis. Minnesota Medicine September/October 2019.
Volume 102 Issue 5 Pages 43-44. (Abstract) - Robbins AJ, Skube ME, Bellin MD, Dunn TB, Chapman SA, Berry KL, Lusczek E,
Beilman GJ. Portal Vein Thrombosis After Total Pancreatectomy and Islet
Autotransplant: Prophylaxis and Graft Impact. Pancreas. 2019
Nov/Dec;48(10):1329-1333. doi: 10.1097/MPA.0000000000001421. PubMed PMID:
31688597. - Altman AM, Coughlan A, Shukla DM, Schat R, Spilseth B, Marmor S, Hui JYC,
Tuttle TM, Jensen EH. Minimally invasive microwave ablation provides excellent
long-term outcomes for otherwise inaccessible hepatocellular cancer. J Surg
Oncol. 2020 Apr 8. doi: 10.1002/jso.25924. PMID: 32267973. - Vakayil V, Ingraham NE, Robbins AJ, Freese R, Northrop EF, Brunsvold ME, Pendleton
KM, Charles A, Chipman JG, Tignanelli CJ. Epidemiological Trends of Surgical Admissions
to the Intensive Care Unit in the United States. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2020 May 6
doi:10.1097/TA.0000000000002768. PMIID: 32384370. - Robbins A, Beilman GJ, Amdahl B, Welton M, Tignanelli C, Olson APJ, Chipman JG.
Transforming a Long-Term Acute Care Hospital into a COVID-19-Designated Hospital.
Surg Infect (Larchmt). 2020 Nov;21(9):729-731. doi: 10.1089/sur.2020.155. Epub 2020
Jul 17. PMID: 32697625. - Ingraham NE, Vakayil V, Pendleton KM, Robbins AJ, Freese RL, Northrop EF,
Brunsvold ME, Charles A, Chipman JG, Tignanelli CJ. National Trends and Variation of
Functional Status Deterioration in the Medically Critically Ill. Crit Care Med. 2020
Nov;48(11):1556-1564. doi: 10.1097/CCM.0000000000004524. PMID: 32886469;
PMCID: PMC8033631. - Blumenthal B, Lee CW, Vitous CA, Robbins AJ, De Roo AC, Byrnes M, Suwanabol PA.
Barriers to palliative care use among surgical patients: perspectives of practicing
surgeons across Michigan. Ann Palliat Med. 2021 Feb;10(2):1122-1132. doi:
10.21037/apm-20-948. Epub 2020 Sep 10. PMID: 32921121. - Robbins AJ, Ingraham NE, Sheka AC, Pendleton KM, Morris R, Rix A, Vakayil V,
Chipman JG, Charles A, Tignanelli CJ. Discordant Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and
Code Status at Death. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2021 Apr;61(4):770-780.e1. doi:
10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.09.015. Epub 2020 Sep 17. PMID: 32949762; PMCID:
PMC8052631. - McEachron KR, Ankeny JS, Robbins A, Altman AM, Marmor S, D'Souza D, Schat R,
Spilseth B, Jensen EH. Surgical microwave ablation of otherwise non-resectable
colorectal cancer liver metastases: Expanding opportunities for long term survival. Surg
Oncol. 2021 Mar;36:61-64. doi: 10.1016/j.suronc.2020.11.016. Epub 2020 Nov 30. PMID:
33316680. - Diaz-Gutierrez I, Robbins AJ, Zhang B, Rao M, Bhargava A, Andrade R. Long Term
Results of Diaphragm Hernia Repair After Left Ventricular Assist Device Explantation.
Ann Thorac Surg. 2020 Nov 10:S0003-4975(20)31879-8. doi:
10.1016/j.athoracsur.2020.10.016. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33186603. - Rickard J, Pohl L, Abahuje E, Kariem N, Englbrecht S, Kloppers C, Malatji S, Sibomana
I, Robbins AJ, Chu K. Indications and Outcomes for Non-Trauma Emergency
Laparotomy: A Comparison of Rwanda, South Africa, and the USA. World J Surg. 2021
Mar;45(3):668-677. doi: 10.1007/s00268-020-05862-y. Epub 2020 Nov 22. PMID:
33225391. - Ingraham NE, Vakayil V, Pendleton KM, Robbins AJ, Freese RL, Palzer EF, Charles A,
Dudley RA, Tignanelli CJ. Recent Trends in Admission Diagnosis and Related Mortality in
the Medically Critically Ill. J Intensive Care Med. 2020 Dec 23:885066620982905. doi:
10.1177/0885066620982905. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33353475. - Robbins AJ, Ritter S, Markese M, Skube ME, McEachron KR, Bellin MD, Stice MJ,
Beilman GJ, Schat R, Spilseth B. Atypical Hepatic Steatosis Patterns on MRI After Total
Pancreatectomy With Islet Autotransplant. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2021 Jul;217(1):100-
106. doi: 10.2214/AJR.20.23303. Epub 2021 Apr 28. PMID: 33909467. - Robbins, AJ. Beilman, GJ. Ditta, T. Benner, A. Rosielle, D. Chipman, J. Lusczek.
Mortality After Elective Surgery: The Potential Role for Preoperative Palliative Care. J
Surg Research 2021 October. 266:44-53. PMID: 33984730. - Robbins AJ, Lusczek E, Bellin MD, Benner A, Alwan FS, Beilman GJ. Thromboembolic
Complications in the First Year After Acute Pancreatitis Diagnosis. Pancreas. 2021 MayJun 01;50(5):751-755. doi: 10.1097/MPA.0000000000001827. PMID: 34016896;
PMCID: PMC8192482. - Robbins AJ, Lusczek E, Bellin MD, Alwan FS, Hodges JS, Chapman SA, Beilman GJ.
Gastrointestinal Bleed After Total Pancreatectomy With Islet Autotransplant. Pancreas.
2021 Aug 3. doi: 10.1097/MPA.0000000000001842. PMID: 34347732. - Robbins AJ, Rockwood T, Alwan F, Beilman GJ, Huddleston S, Lemke N, et al. Patient
Experience with Integrated Palliative Care Consult in Lung Transplant Evaluation
Process. Ann Palliat Care Med. 2021; 2(1): doi.org/10.25107/apcm-v2-id1008 - Robbins AJ, Grande SW, Alwan F, Soule MR, Raveendran G, Helmer G, Andrade R,
Perry T, Physician’s Perspectives and Attitudes Towards Surgical Bailout in
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement., JTCVS Open (2022), doi:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xjon.2022.01.015. - Rao M, Salami A, Robbins A, Schoephroerster J, Bhargava A, Diaz-Gutierrez I, Wang Q,
Andrade R, Subxiphoid-subcostal versus transthoracic thoracoscopic thymectomy: A safe
and feasible approach, JTCVS Techniques (2022), doi:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xjtc.2022.08.017. - Bergman ZR, Robbins AJ, Alwan FS, Bellin MD, Kirchner VA, Pruett TL, Mulier KE,
Boucher AA, Lusczek ER, Beilman GJ. Perioperative Coagulation Changes in Total
Pancreatectomy and Islet Autotransplantation. Pancreas. 2022 Sep 13. doi:
10.1097/MPA.0000000000002085. PMID: 36099513. - Harting, MT. Munson, D, Linebarder, L, Hirshberg, E, Goow KW, Malek, MM, Robbins
AJ, Turnbull, J. Ethical considerations in critically ill neonatal and pediatric patients.
Journal of Pediatric Surgery. 2023 Feb DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2023.02.009 - Halix, S Robbins, AJ* (co-first authors), Cameron D, Baertschiger, Roach J, Brown E,
Aldrink J, Rodeberg D, Cost N, Snaman J, Le H. Principles of Pediatric Palliative Surgical
Oncology: A Guide To Palliative Care for Pediatric Surgeons. Annals of Surgery, Accepted
April 2024
BOOK CHAPTERS:
- McEachron KR, Coughlan AJ, Beilman GJ, Bellin M, MD. Long term results of TP/IAT.
In: Orlando G, Piemonti L, Ricordi C, Stratta RJ, and Gruessner RWG, (eds).
Transplantation, Bioengineering, and Regeneration of the Endocrine Pancreas, Volume
2. San Diego: Elsevier Inc./Academic Press, 2020: pp157-166. - Robbins, AJ, Robertson, M. Beilman, G. Thoracic Crush Injury After Natural and ManMade Disaster. In: Adam M. Shiroff, Mark J. Seamon, Lewis J. Kaplan, editors.
Management of Chest Trauma. Springer International Publishing; 2021. p. 355-366.
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Research
Women in Thoracic Surgery - Robotic Surgery Training Resident Attendee in Atlanta
PalliTalk - Communication Skills Trainee - Virtual
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Licensures & Certifications
Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery
Fundamentals of Endoscopic Surgery
Certificate of Training Equivalency Intuitive Da Vinci Xi Surgical System
Completed General Surgery Qualifying Exam
Completed General Surgery Certifying Exam
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Presentations
VISITING PROFESSOR PRESENTATIONS
- Robbins, AJ. Involving Patients in Intraoperative Decision Making in TAVR. University of Minnesota Department of Anesthesia Grand Rounds Presentation. August 2021. Minneapolis, MN.
- Robbins, AJ. The Overlap of Pediatric Surgery and Palliative Care. Children’s Hospital of Colorado Pediatric Department Grand Rounds Presentation. October 2024. Aurora, CO
PANEL PRESENTATIONS
- Palliative Care Tools for Difficult Discussions with Children and Families for Daily Pediatric Surgical Practice. APSA 2024. Phoenix, AZ
- Peer Support Skills Practice Session. APSA 2024. Phoenix, AZ
ORAL PRESENTATIONS
- *Coughlan AJ. The Effect of Insurance Status on Acceptance of Chlamydia Screening in Teenagers. Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine - Regional Meeting. November 2012. Washington, D.C.
- *Coughlan AJ. Uganda: through the lens of a surgical resident. Minnesota Surgical Society. December 2018. St. Paul, MN
- *Coughlan AJ, Altman A, Shukla D, McCaul H, Jensen E. Outcomes of Minimally Invasive Thermal Ablation for Non-resectable Colon and Rectal Cancer Metastases to the Liver. Minnesota Surgical Society. May 4th, 2019. Redwing, MN.
- Altman, AM, Coughlan, AJ, Shukla D. McCaul H, Jensen E. Institutional Outcomes of Laparoscopic Microwave Ablation of Otherwise Inaccessible Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Minnesota Surgical Society. May 4th, 2019. Redwing, MN.
- Hadley M, Coughlan A, Chipman J, Tignanelli C. How Many Clicks Does it Take to Get to the Center of a Department-wide Wellness Initiative. Academic Surgical Congress. February 2019. Houston, Texas
- Rao M, Coughlan A, Bhargava A, Diaz-Gutierrez I, Andrade R. Laparoscopic Diaphragm Plication for Unilateral Diaphragm Paralysis and Eventration: Long Term Results. American Association for Thoracic Surgery. May 2019. Toronto, Canada.
- Ingraham N, Vakayil V, Coughlan A, Brunsvold M, Chipman J, Charles A, Pendleton K, Tignanelli C. Dysfunction Junction: 8-year Trends in Deteriorating ICU Function Status. American Thoracic Society. May 2019. Dallas, TX.
- Ingraham N, Vakayil V, Coughlan A, Brunsvold M, Chipman J, Charles A, Pendleton K, Tignanelli C. Recent Trends in Critical Care Admission Diagnosis and Related Mortality. American Thoracic Society. May 2019. Dallas, TX.
- *Robbins, A. Diita T, Lusczek E, Rosielle D, Chipman J, Beilman G. The Role for Palliative Care in Surgery. Minneapolis Surgical Society September Meeting. September 2019. Minneapolis, MN.
- Zhang B, Robbins A, Diaz Guiterez I, Rao M, Bhargava A, Andrade R. Long Term Results of Laparoscopic Diaphragmatic Hernia Repair After Sequential Left Ventricular Assist Device Explantation and Orthotopic Heart Transplant. October 2019. Minnesota Surgical Society. St. Paul, MN.
- *Robbins, A. Diita T, Lusczek E, Rosielle D, Chipman J, Beilman G. Mortality After Elective Surgery: The Potential Role for Palliative Care. American College of Surgeons. October 2019. San Francisco, CA.
- *Robbins, A. Diita T, Lusczek E, Rosielle D, Chipman J, Beilman G. Mortality After Elective Surgery: The Potential Role for Palliative Care. University of Minnesota Department of Surgery Research Day. June 2020. Minneapolis, MN.
- *Robbins, A. Rockwood, T. Beilman, G. Lemke, N. Patil, J. Miller, C. Rosielle D. Patient Experience with Integrated Palliative Care Consult in the Lung Transplant Evaluation Process. American College of Surgeons. October 2020. Virtual.
- *Robbins, A. Grande, S. Akwan, F. Soule, M. Strand, J. Schwarze, M, Andrade, R. Perry T. Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Team Physician’s Perspectives on Patient Involvement in Anticipatory Decision Making for Surgical Bailout Plan. Society of Thoracic Surgeons. January 2021. Virtual.
- *Mischel, A. Robbins, A. Gallagher S. Hoch, J. Pereira, A. A Sticky Wicket: Managing Advanced Cancer Pain in a Patient with Prior Opioid Use Disorder. Minnesota Network of Hospice and Palliative Conference. May 2021. Virtual
- *Robbins, A. Qi, S. Leslie, D. Bariatric Surgery Debate. University of Minnesota Surgery Department Grand Rounds. August 2021.
- *Robbins, A. Surgical Palliative Care. University of Minnesota Surgery Department Grand Rounds. October 2021.
- Rao M, Salami A, Robbins A, Schoephroerster J, Bhargava A, Diaz-Gutierrez I, Wang Q, Andrade R, Subxiphoid-subcostal versus transthoracic thoracoscopic thymectomy: A safe and feasible approach. American Association for Thoracic Surgery, May 2022, Boston MA.
- *Robbins, A. Total Intestinal Aganglinosis, a Case for Concurrent Palliative Care. The Hendren Project. International Colorectal Web Meeting. January 2023. Virtual
- *Robbins, A. Heart Transplant for Single Ventricle Physiology and Anorectal Malformation, When is “Doing Nothing” the Right Choice for Family? The Hendren Project. International Colorectal Web Meeting. January 2023. Virtual *Indicates presentations that I gave, those without * indicate projects that I was a contributing author for.
POSTER PRESENTATIONS
- *Coughlan A, Belani K, Andrade R, Rao M. Outpatient Thoracic Surgery. Society for Ambulatory Anesthesia Annual Conference. May 2018. Miami, FL.
- *Colling K. Coughlan A. Wilhelm J. Beilman GJ. Bacterial Resistance in Islet Preparations for Total Pancreatectomy with Islet Cell Auto-transplantation; Selecting the Optimal Antibiotics. American Pancreas Association. October 2018. Miami, FL.
- *Coughlan A, Skube M, Bellin M, Dunn T, Berry KL, Beilman GJ. Heparin vs. Lovenox as Thrombosis Prophylaxis after Total Pancreatectomy With Islet Autotransplantation. American Pancreas Association. October 2018. Miami, FL.
- *Coughlan A, Schat R, Spilseth B, Skube M, Bellin M, Stice M, Beilman G. Unique Steatosis Patterns on Contrast Enhanced Computed Tomography After Total Pancreatomy and Islet AutoTransplantation. Pancreas Club. May 18th, 2019. San Diego, CA.
- Coughlan A, Schat R, Spilseth B, Skube M, Bellin M, Stice M, Beilman G. Unique Steatosis Patterns on Contrast Enhanced Computed Tomography After Total Pancreatomy and Islet AutoTransplantation. Departments of Surgery and Neurosurgery Research Day Poster Session. June 2019. Minneapolis, MN
- Schat, R Markese M, Olgun D, Coughlan A, Beilman G, Spilseth B. Prevalence and Patterns of Hepatic Steatosis After Total Pancreatectomy and Islet Autotransplantation: Is Hepatic Steatosis a Potential Biomarker in this Population? Society of Abdominal Radiology. March 2019. Orlando, FL.
- Coughlan A, Ingraham N, Pendleton K, Morris R, Rix A, Sheka A, Chipman J, Charles A, Tignanelli C. Dignity in Death: National Trends in Respecting Code Status. Departments of Surgery and Neurosurgery Research Day Poster Session. June 2019. Minneapolis, MN
- *Robbins A, Arries C, Mettler T, Rothenberger M, Beilman G. Uncommon Etiology of Chronic Pancreatitis - Histoplasmosis. Minnesota Medical Association Annual Conference. September 2019. Dultuh, MN.
- *Robbins A, Lusczek, E, Benner, A, Bellin M, Alwan F, Beilman G. Thromboembolic Complications in Acute Pancreatitis. American Pancreas Association. November 2019. Maui, HI.
- *Robbins A, Luscek E, Bellin M, Alwan F, Hodges J, Chapman S, Beilman G. Gastrointestinal Bleed After Total Pancreatectomy Islet Auto Transplant. American Pancreas Association. November 2019. Maui, Hawaii.
- *Robbins A, Zhang B, Diaz-Gutierrez I, Rao M, Bhargava A, Andrade R. Long Term Results of Laparoscopic Diaphragmatic Hernia Repair Following Orthotopic Heart Transplant and Left Ventricular Assist Device Explantation. Society of Thoracic Surgeons. January 2020. New Orleans, LA. Presented as a finalist for the ePoster competition.
- Bergman Z, Robbins A, Alwan, F, Mueller K, Beilman G. Preliminary Results of Perioperative Coagulation Changes in Total Pancreatectomy and Islet Auto-Transplantations. American Pancreatic Association. October 2020. Virtual.
- *Robbins, A. Wolfe, I. Gallagher, S. Catrine, K. Palliative Care and Ethics Can Support Parents as They Redirect to More Aggressive Care; Shifting Prognosis and Congenital Cardiac Surgery. The Annual Assembly of Hospice and Palliative Care. February 2021. Virtual. *Indicates presentations that I gave, those without * indicate projects that I was a contributing author for.
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Teaching Summary
University of Minnesota Medical School - Surgery 7500 3rd Year Clerkship Medical Student Simulation Lab Instructor
TEACH Curriculum at the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota - General Surgery Intern Orientation Instructor