When your job is crucial, and people depend on you to get them where they need to be at specific times, attention to detail matters. That’s what Robbin Stubbins does every day. As the transportation team leader at Oak Hammock, Stubbins is dedicated to serving the needs of residents, ensuring they arrive on time and return home safely.

A Miami, Florida, native, Stubbins is a mother of three daughters and grandmother to eight children under the age of 10. She also cares for her 91-year-old mother, who lives nearby. Busy as she is, she always makes time for Oak Hammock.

Stubbins moved to the area to drive a public-school bus, which she did for 16 years. She later joined Oak Hammock as a driver, becoming the transportation team leader in May 2024. When asked about the difference between driving a school bus and driving for a senior living community, she quipped, “It’s a lot quieter!” This kind of wit is typical for Stubbins, who is known for her fantastic sense of humor.

Beyond her jovial demeanor, Stubbins stands out by being caring, compassionate and patient. She frequently jokes with residents, building a positive rapport, and she’s attentive to their needs, helping them board by holding their hands and ensuring they’re comfortable. Once, a team member overheard Stubbins on the phone speaking sweetly to the person on the other end, asking “Are you ready to come home?” At first, it sounded as if she was talking to a family member; it turns out she was warmly talking with a resident who was ready to be picked up from an appointment.

Oak Hammock residents lead busy lives and many need rides to the theater, Gator games, the airport, special events, art festivals, their medical appointments, personal errands and more. Stubbins coordinates the schedule for the transportation team, which includes five drivers, and ensures each motor vehicle is well-maintained and always ready for the road.

When asked what she loves most about her job, Stubbins said, “I like getting to know the residents. No two are alike. They’ve all become my family, and I feel like I’m part of theirs.”

She is pleased to offer more than just a shuttle service and appreciates the chance to connect all the residents at Oak Hammock. She also appreciates her team, describing them as dependable and responsible, which means she knows and trusts their ability to provide excellent customer service.

Oak Hammock resident Jim Wiltshire praised Stubbins, saying, “Robbin is a wonderful team leader for transportation services. She works out all the details and provides a great service, both personally for me and for Oak Hammock in general. She is always on time, very consistent and goes out of her way to make appointments easy. I’ve gotten to know her, and she’s an interesting person. She is so much more than a bus driver, and she probably does a lot that we don’t even realize.”

Recently, Stubbins shared more about her role at Oak Hammock:

How do you make a difference for the residents?

I show up on time with a smile and always give 100%. If they need me, they can always call. I’m not just driving them; I feel like I’m part of their family. I don’t want them to have limited transportation options. If they need something, I’m their go-to person.

I try to give each resident individual attention. If someone has a last-minute request, I do my best to get them on the schedule. I tell them, ‘Don’t worry; I’ll make it happen.’

I treat every resident like I treat my 91-year-old mom, with love, compassion, attention, courtesy and mindfulness. I understand what it’s like to need to rely on someone else, and I try to make it as easy as possible. My motto is, ‘I’m here for you!”

Please share a story about a positive experience with a resident.

One resident from assisted living comes to mind. I was taking her and her daughter to the doctor. After the appointment, she mentioned she was hungry and craving Chick-fil-A. We went there and picked up a nice meal. She was so happy and told me I’d made her week.

A former resident who’s no longer with us was originally from Gainesville. After a doctor’s appointment, I drove her around town because she hadn’t seen the sites in a while. We took the scenic route, and she was thrilled to see parts of town she hadn’t seen in years. She told me many times about how special it was to go down memory lane.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I have three daughters and eight grandchildren between the ages of three and ten. They call me ‘Ya-Ya’ because it’s easier than grandma. I love being around my family. At first, I didn’t know what to do with my six grandsons since I was used to girls, but we have a lot of fun. Sometimes it’s exhausting, but it’s always a joy.

One of the most difficult times in my life was losing my best friend to breast cancer in 2018. She was the one person I thought I’d grow old with, and we planned to travel the world once our kids were grown. I didn’t think I’d get through that tough time. She was such a good person, always considerate, always willing to help. She was a single mom raised by her grandparents. The support I had from family, friends, and co-workers really helped me through that difficult time.

“Robbin is without doubt one of our most outstanding employees. She performs her job perfectly and is always kind to and considerate of residents and her coworkers. I would strongly recommend that she be asked to train new employees in all units in customer service at which she is exemplary.” – Karen Miller

“Robbin is just terrific! She’s always organized and on schedule, plus kind and helpful to us all. Robbin can drive anything, forwards or backwards (we’ve all seen it)! In short, we are all extremely lucky to have Robbin at Oak Hammock.” – Alison W. Conner