About Dr. Robin Snead | Chicago, IL
More Than a Physician—A Lifelong Advocate for Patients
Dr. Robin Snead, MD, is a seasoned internist and integrative health advocate with over 35 years of experience treating patients and transforming lives. A graduate of Northwestern University School of Medicine, she completed her residency at Rush Presbyterian St. Luke’s Hospital and went on to pioneer a holistic, patient-centered medical approach long before it became mainstream.
A Legacy of Service and Innovation
Dr. Snead’s impact extended far beyond her office walls. As a founding board member of Physician Quality Care one of the first physician-owned Independent Practice Associations (IPAs) she helped reshape how physicians could deliver accountable, patient-first care. Her work has been featured in Chicago Magazine, and her innovations earned her recognition among peers and patients alike.
Driven by compassion for the underserved, Dr. Snead also launched WSW, a mental health initiative that brought licensed clinical social workers into nursing homes to provide group therapy for elderly and disabled residents. While Medicaid limitations eventually ended the program, the emotional support it delivered left a lasting mark.
The Personal Story Behind the Mission
Behind every clinical decision, every book, and every word Dr. Snead writes is the memory of her mother, Queen Victoria Rayner. Her mother’s chronic illnesses and emotional struggles shaped Dr. Snead’s empathy, patience, and fierce commitment to care. As a child comforting her anxious mother, Dr. Snead learned the true meaning of healing not just treating symptoms, but restoring dignity and hope.
I dedicate my medical career to my mom, Queen Victoria Rayner. My mom had serious health problems all of my life. I remember when I gave a speech about Lerone Bennet Jr, at my 8th grade graduation, while on stage I searched the audience and did not see her. I immediately felt the lower half of my body trembling, because I thought something awful happened to her.
She was there, and has always been there, for me;like every piano performance or achievement I’ve ever had. She was always there for me, regardless of how bad she felt or how much pain she was in. Along with her physical ailments, she had gripping phobias, Agoraphobia being one, that prevented her from being comfortable leaving the house for years prior to my birth.
But, I have so many wonderful memories of my mom taking me to the park and downtown Chicago shopping, obviously feeling very anxious and me holding her hand stroking it and telling her she will be ok and don’t be afraid. She taught me patience, and a desire to make people who are ill feel better. Her resilience and determination to live life and give me s life gave me empathy for
those who are sick and a love for healthcare.
From the Exam Room to the Written Page
Now retired from clinical practice, Dr. Snead channels her experience and passion into writing. Her books, including The Ultimate Handbook: How to Navigate the Horrors of Our Healthcare System with Confidence, reflect a lifetime of lessons learned on the front lines of American medicine. She writes to educate, to empower, and to spark a more compassionate future for healthcare.
Dr. Snead is based in Chicago, IL, and continues to connect with readers nationwide.
Contact us at: drsneadshcs@gmail.com
