John Robertson, MD

Born in Fort Worth, John Robertson, M.D., always wanted to become a doctor. Dr. Robertson's grandfather was a doctor in Dallas, and his mother managed the office, taking him with her. As he grew up, Dr. Robertson developed a love of science, a desire to help people and to do good in the world.

Dr. Robertson realized he wanted to work with children while in medical school at UT Southwestern. In residency in Dallas, he felt drawn to pediatric pulmonology. Dr. Robertson grew up with asthma, and a specialty that allowed him to help children with breathing problems seemed like a natural fit. And after over a decade of practicing pediatric pulmonology, he still loves it.

One of his favorite aspects of each visit is getting to interact with children. "We start by becoming friends," says Dr. Robertson, who believes that creating a playful, warm environment in which the child feels welcome and safe is the essential first step toward an determining the right cause for their symptoms. "Without first earning their trust, an accurate exam is impossible in a young child and an accurate history is impossible in an older one," says Dr. Robertson.

When a child comes in to see him, from diagnosis to treatment, the goal is always to let the child get back to being a kid. This means different things at different ages and in different families, and Dr. Robertson believes the overall medical approach must take into account the special qualities that make each one unique. "What works for a teenage soccer player with a large extended family may not work for the toddler of a single, working parent."

In the practice of medicine, Dr. Robertson believes that one of the best characteristics a doctor can have is humility. "Humility keeps you open to learning something new. It's important to know what the books say, but sometimes the latest data comes from patients and their families. We must be humble in order to listen."

It is very important to work closely with the whole family and the child's primary care provider with clear, prompt, two-way communication between the specialist and the referring provider. This completes the circle of care for each patient and makes sure everyone is on the same page.

In addition to his general pediatric pulmonology work, Dr. Robertson has a strong interest in exercise triggered breathing problems in children and teens. In fact, he performed the first Continuous Laryngoscopy During Exercise (CLE) on a pediatric patient in Texas on February 8, 2022 in his Cook Children's office in Prosper.

When he's not working, Dr. Robertson enjoys spending time with his wife and young daughter, grilling, being involved in church activities, and making a mess as an amateur artist.