Davina Hawkins
Rheumatoid and Psoriatic Arthritis
Adult Honoree
 Davina had a brand-new baby that was only a week old when she first started experiencing severe foot pain. Every step she would take felt like walking on glass, and she was scared to even carry her own baby for fear of falling. About 1 year later, she began to feel extreme joint pain and finally received a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. On top of her diagnosis, later in life she was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis.
Despite the multiple surgeries, unstable joints and disabling side effects from medications Davina chooses to wake up every day with a smile and an optimistic attitude. She loves to travel, attend concerts and spend time gathering with friends and family. Davina’s favorite place to spend time is in her newly prepared home art studio where she can express her creativity and focus on her passion for painting. Her daughter, that she was once scared to carry, is now a 22-year-old thriving young adult who loves to see her mother push herself through all the trials that having arthritis brings. |
Dr. Robinson received her medical education at the University of Toronto in Canada. She did her post graduate training in the San Francisco Bay Area, including a Rheumatology Fellowship at Stanford University. For many years, she worked in the Bay Area, including for the Veterans Administration and in private practice. She also enjoyed teaching medical students, residents, and fellows at Stanford University and UCSF, and held Clinical Assistant Professor appointments at both universities.
Sarah dealt with years of pain, decreased mobility, and incorrect diagnoses before she finally got some answers and was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at the age of 15. After her diagnosis and proper treatment plan she’s now a 22-year-old thriving young adult who lives life to the fullest. She’s a paramedic by day and then spends her free time rock climbing and crocheting. Sarah will be walking with us as a newlywed, who recently just married the love of her life Russ.