About Dr. Valorie Robertson M.D.

In her own words..

I guess you could say that I am "home-grown". After moving here with my parents in 1970, I finished high school at Canyon in 1972. Each afternoon, the bus driver made the girls sit on one side of the bus and the boys on the other. Of course, the students would sit with their foot across the aisle, which would result in the bus pulling over, etc. Sometimes it would take an awfully long time to get home.  When it flooded we would wait at Wood's Store (now Sweet's) till the water went down.  I learned to Western dance at Canyon High.  It's remained my favorite kind of aerobics. 

After high school I was off to college at Southwest Texas State University (SWTSU), where I became a Respiratory Therapist. I worked in the hospital for two years before I later took a teaching job at SWTSU in early 1977. Two years later when an opening become available at Fort Sam, I taught in the 91V (Respiratory Specialist) school until 1987 when I entered Medical School.

I only applied here for Medical School and Residency. San Antonio has an excellent program and a very unique community. With my husband and I both being "only" children, I didn’t want to just come home for illness or funerals.  We did lose my mother-in-law while in medical school, and it was reassuring to know that we had been with her only days before and that we were always close by.  Currently, we live next door to my parents.  It's great being so close.  And our boys have been able to be close to their grandparents too, in a day when many children live states apart from their grandparents.  You may recognize my mother (MeMa) and father (PePa) when you are at the office.  They keep the office going and currently are the best landlords ever. 

God did allow my entrance and completion of medical school and residency here. Many ask "how you did that with a family and all?" Since there is no way to know everything, my prayer throughout that program was "Please help me learn what I must know to make it through the program with my family intact and what I need to know for my future patients." Many of the female students in my classes ended up in divorce, something I did not have to deal with considering I had a husband supporting me every step of the way.  Richard was four years old when I entered medical school.  I was pregnant with Steven in the first year of school when I broke my leg.  Please don't try to picture that.  Well, I had to take a medical leave of absence during which time I studied Microbiology and tested out of the class.  This gave me back 2-3 hours daily of study-time when I went back to class after Steven arrived.  When back at class, I'd come home each day at 6pm, and had family time between 6 & 9 pm, when our two young boys went to bed.  Then I studied as late as needed.  Kaplan was really helpful for monthly board exams used in residency at the end of specialty rotations.

I am thankful that the Lord answered my prayers and is continuing to bless my family, my patients, and myself.


How I see my duties as a Physician
People often worry, with good reason, about whether care will be withheld or rationed. That is where the choice of your Primary Care Physician (PCP) becomes important. As I have told many patients, when referral is needed/requested, I recommend specialists I would be willing to go to myself or would send my family members and friends to.

I personally feel that it is important to treat the whole person; physically, emotionally, and spiritually. However, I would never push it on anyone. I feel that Jesus is the ultimate physician. I pray that he will work through me, and I consider that a privilege.

In the past, I have worked for a few groups.. But being on my own, I feel that I work more directly from The Lord and because of that provide better care with each patient.

The Lord ultimately determines how long your days on this earth are. I do not feel that I am God or that I can make one moment's difference in that timing - but what I do feel he expects of me is to help you have a better quality of the time you have here on earth. We have all heard of those who have had decisions to be taken off life support and continued to live even after being taken off.  Well, it was not their time. But if I can guide you in ways to prevent an illness or condition so you can have a better quality of life, that is where I feel The Lord wants me to work.