Robin Affrim

Robin Affrime, age 72, passed away on July 7th, 2024. Robin was a loving Wife, Sister, Mother and Grandmother, who in her professional career was extremely devoted to service and activism. Robin traveled the world and was a better person for it, she loved sharing in great meals, laughter and storytelling with her friends and family. Robin was full of life, passion driven and loved fiercely. To know her was to Love her. Robin was born to Stanley and Irene Affrime in Philadelphia Pennsylvania on January 22, 1952. Davis had been home since 1975 and you could often find her walking or running around the North Davis Greenbelt or UC Davis arboretum with her husband Jim Gray.

Robin is probably best known for her 35-year career with CommuniCare Health Center now known as CommuniCare+OLE. Robin served as CEO for 19 years, retiring December 31, 2019. CommuniCare experienced phenomenal growth during Robin’s tenure evolving from the Davis Free Clinic, which was founded in 1972, with part time hours in 3 little houses in downtown Davis. It was begun by Dr. John Jones who Robin adored and learned much from.

 CommuniCare originally offered services primarily with volunteers and evolved dramatically becoming a nationally recognized Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) providing care to one out of every nine Yolo County residents served by over 300 staff and providers. Robin successfully led expansion of health center services outside of Davis, including adding multiple integrated sites like Salud Clinic in West Sacramento, Hansen Family Health Center and Family Wellness Center in Woodland. Clinic services now include Primary Care, Behavioral Health Care, Substance Use Services, Dental Care, Perinatal Care, Pediatrics, Women’s Health, Sexual and Reproductive Health, LGBTQ+ affirming services, and Food is Medicine programs. During this growth, Robin never deviated from the mission of CommuniCare and the commitment to continue providing important community legacy services like substance use treatment and perinatal midwifery care as a part of comprehensive health care. Following the merger, now CommuniCare+OLE, the footprint is even broader, serving 71,000 patients and clients over three counties. 

 In addition to her role with CommuniCare, Robin was on the Board of Directors of California Primary Care Association, President of Redwood Community Health Association, Strategic Planning Committee of Partnership Heath Plan, The Blue Shield Foundation Clinic Leadership Institute, and the Yolo County Children’s Health Alliance. She was recognized as a Hero in Health Care by Serotonin Surge and was recently recognized by Congresswoman Doris Matsui for her efforts lobbying the California Congressional Delegation for the passage of President Obama’s Affordable Care Act.

Robin was awarded a Bachelor of Arts (BA) from Friend’s World College, a University without walls, in which she studied in New York, London, Cuernavaca Mexico, and Berkeley/Visalia/Davis. In addition, she received her Master’s in Public Health (MPH) from University of Hawaii doing her coursework both at the Manoa Campus and in Berkeley.

One of Robin’s colleagues recently shared with her family “She was always committed to doing the right thing. Her passion was the mission of CommuniCare. The organizations’ work was organized around the philosophy that health care is a right not a privilege…Robin was an absolute force and the impact that she made both personally and professionally will continue for generations.”

Robin passed away in her home in north Davis in the presence of her son Jacob and her husband Jim Gray. Jim says that “Robin was sustained and comforted by the good wishes and offers of prayers and support, from family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues.” 

Robin is survived by her husband of 49 years, Jim Gray, her son Jacob Gray and his wife Meghan Gray, two grandchildren, Georgia Elisabeth (age 5), and Harrison James Gray (age 2). She is also survived by her sister, Mindy Affrime.

There will be a Celebration of Life to remember and honor her, with Rabbi Greg Wolfe officiating at the Richard Brunelle Performance Hall on the Davis High School Campus, Saturday August 10th at 4:00 pm. Refreshments following nearby at Community Park. All are welcome.

Please consider donating to CommuniCare+OLE in Robin’s memory https://communicarehc.org/donate/