A Unique Gift with Lasting Impact

William K. “Bill” Robbins, Jr., and Ronald L. Wilson, MD, were both deeply invested in the work of their alma mater, Baylor University. Robbins, who passed away in April 2023, was a longtime Baylor benefactor and former Regent whose generosity was recognized through the naming of Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences in honor of him and his wife. Likewise, Wilson, who passed in July 2025, also served on the Baylor Board of Regents and was an avid University and Robbins College supporter.

Both men faithfully served on the Robbins College Board of Advocates and were deeply invested in the College’s mission to prepare leaders in health and quality of life through science, scholarship, and innovation. Thus, it was only fitting that Robbins and Wilson be honored in a unique and impactful manner through one of the College’s most groundbreaking initiatives yet—the new Clinical Simulation & Skills Facility. This innovative training facility provides space, technology and purposeful design to enable the highest quality educational experience for graduate students in the Physician Assistant Studies (PA), Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and other health professional programs.

Located within the Clinical Simulation & Skills Facility are several state-of-the-art manikins, two of which are affectionately referred to as “Uncle Bill” and “Dr. Wilson” and were provided through the generosity of Mary Jo Robbins, Bill’s wife.

“As a nurse, I have seen the success of training nursing students with manikins,” Mary Jo Robbins shared. “When I heard about the new PA program and the manikins, I thought, ‘Let’s make this fun and give them some names to honor Uncle Bill and Dr. Wilson at the same time!’”

A Laerdal SimMan® 3G PLUS manikin, “Uncle Bill” is designed to provide immersive training for emergency medicine. This high-fidelity manikin can simulate a wide range of medical emergencies, including airway obstruction, stroke, cardiac arrest, and hemorrhage, giving students the opportunity to respond to high-stress situations in a realistic and controlled environment.

“Dr. Wilson” is a Gaumard HAL® S5301 manikin, which provides simulation experiences across clinical disciplines—from emergency care to intensive care unit to medical-surgical training. Students can practice intensive procedures on the manikin, like a chest tube thoracostomy, and perform true-to-life ultrasound imaging. The manikin also engages in conversational speech enhanced by artificial intelligence, following voice commands and learning over time.

Both “Uncle Bill” and “Dr. Wilson” will provide invaluable training experience for Baylor students now and into the future, allowing them to gain confidence and competency in a safe yet realistic environment.

“We are grateful to Mary Jo for her continued support of Robbins College and Baylor, especially through her gifts to this new facility,” Robbins College Dean Jason R. Carter, PhD, said. “The manikins are a truly special way to honor Bill and Ron. These two long-time Bears will continue to have a profound impact on Baylor students, and our future healthcare leaders, for years to come.”

ABOUT ROBBINS COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SCIENCES AT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Established in 2014, Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences seeks to enhance health, quality of life, and human flourishing for all individuals and communities through education, research, and innovation. It includes seven academic departments—Communication Sciences and Disorders; Health, Human Performance, and Recreation; Human Sciences and Design; Occupational Therapy; Physical Therapy; Physician Assistant Studies; and Public Health. Robbins College offers 13 bachelor’s degrees, 10 master’s degrees, and six doctoral degrees, as well as nine graduate programs in partnership with the U.S. Army. Graduate programs in Robbins College are offered in a variety of modalities, including on campus, online, and hybrid.