Haywood & Daphne Robinson at the 2023 Heartbeat International conference in Louisville.
If there were a short list of physicians who helped shape the medical voice of the pro-life movement, the late Dr. Haywood Robinson would undoubtedly be at the top.
Dr. Robinson passed away on July 25, 2026, at the age of 74, leaving behind a legacy of redemption, courage, and unrelenting advocacy for the preborn. His passing leaves a profound void in the pro-life movement and medical community, and among the many lives he touched throughout his decades of service.
Before becoming one of the most recognizable pro-life physicians in America, Dr. Robinson’s story began quite differently. He attended medical school at the Martin Luther King Jr./Charles R. Drew Medical Center in Los Angeles, where, like many medical students and residents of his era, he received training in abortion procedures. It was there that he met his future wife, Dr. Noreen Johnson.
Everything changed in 1986 when the couple attended a Christian concert and had a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ. Both Dr. Robinson and Dr. Johnson gave their lives to Christ and turned away from the abortion industry, setting their lives on a completely new course.
Rather than allowing guilt over his past to define him, Dr. Robinson dedicated himself to becoming a voice for the voiceless. His unique perspective as a former abortionist gave powerful weight to his testimony, and he spent decades educating others, advocating for life, and sharing the truth about the humanity of the preborn.
His obituary highlights his tireless commitment to pro-life advocacy in retirement:
“Dr. Robinson was passionate about his work with 40 Days for Life. He served on its Board of Directors and had been the Director of Medical Affairs and Education since 2019. He was very excited about the impact being made through the novel services of Journey of a Lifetime (JOL). He served as the Board Chair and its Director of Continuum of Care.”
Dr. Robinson’s impact extended far beyond the organizations he served. He helped shape the broader pro-life medical movement (including our friend David Bereit) and personally influenced countless physicians, students, advocates, and leaders. Following his passing, members of AAPLOG’s leadership shared heartfelt tributes reflecting on his friendship, mentorship, and lasting influence on their own lives and careers.
As we continue to honor Dr. Haywood Robinson’s remarkable legacy, we invite you to read AAPLOG leadership’s reflections below.
“Some mentors teach medicine. Others teach leadership. Dr. Haywood Robinson has taught me something even greater, the transformative power of God’s grace and the courage to follow truth wherever it leads.
His journey from abortion provider to passionate advocate for the sanctity of life is one of the most compelling testimonies I have ever encountered. His book, The Scalpel and the Soul, signed personally for me, is among my most treasured possessions because it represents hope, redemption, and the reality that God can rewrite any story.
Thank you, Dr. Robinson, for investing in me, for your steadfast faith, and for showing the world that a changed heart can save countless lives. I am deeply grateful to have known you.”
— Dr. Anthereca Lane, AAPLOG Board Member
“I first met Dr. Haywood Robinson and his wife Dr. Noreen Johnson shortly after they began their journey from being abortion providers to being prolife. They shared their powerful story of trust in God and His transforming power in their lives by speaking at the AAPLOG Annual Conference in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, in the early 2000s.
I kept in touch with Haywood and Noreen as they began their ministry at 40 Days for Life, and visited them at the National Headquarters for 40 Days for Life in Texas where it all happened.
When AAPLOG and CMDA, CMA, Coptic Medical Association and American College of Pediatricians joined together to form the Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, Haywood sent me a special gift, which I treasure to this day: a print of an original oil painting by Burl Washington.
After Noreen’s death, God comforted Haywood by allowing him to meet Daphne at the Matthew Bulfin Educational Conference, and they married. Haywood was so grateful and happy to have Daphne in his life.
Haywood continued his desire to see other physicians trapped in abortion to come to healing. He worked extensively with Phillip Ney, who founded Centurions, a ministry to help physicians who provide abortions leave the abortion industry and be free.
I last saw Haywood and Daphne at the MBEC in Seattle a few months ago. He was his amazing cheerful, humble self, pointing always to the love of God and the freedom which comes from serving Him.
What a privilege to know Haywood and to see God’s work in his life. He is truly a marvelous comrade and I’m looking forward to seeing him again where all things are made new.”
— Dr. Donna Harrison, CEO Emerita
“I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Haywood Robinson at the first AAPLOG annual conference (MBEC) I attended. Haywood was warm, engaging, a listener, and courageous. He spoke of the past he left behind as a former abortionist without shame, as one redeemed and moving into a life dedicated to advancing real healthcare for women and their preborn children.
As is evident in the videos he leaves behind as a witness, he was always gracious, gentle, kind, and yet immovable in the truth about abortion. He is a cornerstone in Hippocratic medicine.
As a former abortionist, meeting Haywood was a turning point for me to not live in shame, but to unashamedly speak up for the vulnerable and hurting, the baby and the mom, and to educate the public who are being deceived. If they truly knew what Haywood and I know about abortion, they would not be for abortion.
He has impacted so many lives to stand, be loving, be truthful, and never give up.
Haywood, thank you!”
— Dr. Catherine Wheeler, AAPLOG Board Member
“Haywood Robinson, MD was a fine physician and gentleman who was a great example for me of dedication and faithfulness to the protection of all human life. He was often checking with me on how he could help grow abortion pill reversal so that every woman who wanted it could have a second chance at choice.
I will miss his warm smile, gentle demeanor, and sense of humor.
Well done, good and faithful servant.”
— Dr. George Delgado, AAPLOG Board Member
“Dr. Haywood Robinson brought a remarkable kindness with him wherever he went. His story inspired me as I began my prolife advocacy journey but it is his kindness that will always stick with me. While I did not get to spend a lot of time with him, we always were sure to find each other at our annual conference (MBEC) and connect over the amazing work he was doing. I also was overjoyed to find out that he had connected with Daphne, another faithful AAPLOG member, at MBEC a few years ago and that had led to the blessing of a second marriage for him after his wife Noreen passed away. Daphne and Haywood were a dynamic duo who loved mothers and their children so well. To Daphne and the rest of Haywood’s family – your AAPLOG family grieves with you over the loss of a giant but rejoices with you over the legacy he has left.”
— Dr. Christina Francis, CEO
