Contents
Introduction
Life has a way of presenting us with moments that fundamentally shift our perspective. For some, these pivotal experiences arrive with fanfare. For others, they unfold quietly, their significance only becoming clear with time. Robyn DeSantis Ringler’s transformation from a dedicated nurse to a passionate advocate for social justice began with one of the most dramatic events in recent American history: the assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan.
This is the story of how caring for a wounded president opened one woman’s eyes to systemic inequalities and set her on a path toward legal advocacy that would define the rest of her career. From the sterile halls of a Washington D.C. hospital to the immigration courts where she now fights for refugees’ rights, Ringler’s journey demonstrates how a single moment of clarity can reshape an entire life.
The Making of a Nurse
Robyn DeSantis Ringler began her healthcare career in the early 1980s, working as a nurse in Washington D.C. during a time when the nursing profession was undergoing significant changes. The healthcare landscape was evolving rapidly, with new technologies and treatment protocols emerging regularly. Ringler found herself at the center of this dynamic environment, caring for patients with dedication and professionalism.
Her early career was marked by the same challenges that many nurses faced during this era: long hours, demanding patients, and the constant pressure to provide excellent care despite limited resources. However, Ringler approached her work with the kind of commitment that would later characterize her legal advocacy. She understood that nursing was more than just a job—it was a calling that required both technical skill and genuine compassion.
The early 1980s were particularly challenging for healthcare workers in the nation’s capital. The city’s hospitals served a diverse population, from government officials to underserved communities, creating a complex tapestry of medical needs and social issues. This environment would prove to be excellent preparation for the moment that would change everything.
A Presidential Patient Changes Everything
On March 30, 1981, John Hinckley Jr.’s assassination attempt on President Reagan created chaos that rippled through Washington D.C. and beyond. For Ringler, it meant becoming part of a carefully orchestrated medical response that would give her unprecedented access to the highest levels of American power—and expose her to stark contrasts in how different people are treated within the healthcare system.
The hospital where Ringler worked had been specifically designed with the possibility of treating a president. One room featured bulletproof windows and a flat roof that could accommodate a SWAT team. This wasn’t coincidence it was careful planning born from the recognition that the nation’s leaders might one day need emergency medical care.
When President Reagan arrived, the transformation was immediate and dramatic. As Ringler recalls, “We moved 16 patients from a whole hallway and created a nursing station. We had a room for the personal physician from the White House; a room for José, who was the military man carrying ‘the football’ at President Reagan’s side at all times; a room for Nancy Reagan; and of course that room for President Reagan—for 10 days.”
The creation of this presidential suite required displacing other patients and reorganizing an entire floor of the hospital. Resources were redirected, staff were reassigned, and the normal rhythm of patient care was disrupted to accommodate one individual. While Ringler understood the security necessities and the importance of protecting the president, she couldn’t help but notice the stark difference between this level of care and attention and what was typically available to other patients.
The Questions That Started It All
During those 10 days of caring for President Reagan, Ringler began asking questions that had never occurred to her before. Why were some patients able to receive such comprehensive, immediate attention while others waited? What did it mean that the hospital had a special room designed specifically for VIPs? How did social status and political power affect access to healthcare?
These weren’t abstract philosophical questions they were practical concerns that emerged from her daily observations. She watched as teams of specialists consulted on every aspect of Reagan’s care, while other patients in the hospital received more standard treatment. She witnessed the resources that could be mobilized when the patient was considered sufficiently important.
The experience forced Ringler to confront uncomfortable truths about healthcare inequality. She began to see how systemic factors wealth, status, political connections could dramatically influence the quality of care a patient received. This awareness would prove to be the catalyst for a complete career transformation.
From Healthcare to Law: A New Path Forward
The questions that arose during Reagan’s hospitalization didn’t fade after he left. Instead, they continued to grow, ultimately leading Ringler to make a dramatic career change. She decided to pursue law, viewing it as a more effective tool for addressing the systemic inequalities she had observed.
The transition from nursing to law wasn’t easy. It required returning to school, learning an entirely new set of skills, and rebuilding her professional identity. However, Ringler’s healthcare background provided her with unique insights that would prove invaluable in her legal career. She understood how institutions worked, how policies affected individual lives, and how systemic changes could have far-reaching impacts.
Her nursing experience also gave her a deep appreciation for human dignity and the importance of treating every person with respect and care. These values would become central to her legal practice, particularly as she began focusing on immigration law and refugee rights.
Advocating for the Vulnerable
Today, Robyn DeSantis Ringler volunteers her time helping refugees who are being held at the Albany County jail. This work represents the culmination of her journey from healthcare provider to legal advocate. She has found a way to combine her understanding of institutional systems with her commitment to helping vulnerable populations.
Working with refugees requires navigating complex legal frameworks, understanding immigration law, and advocating for individuals who often lack the resources to advocate for themselves. It’s challenging work that requires both technical expertise and deep empathy—qualities that Ringler developed during her nursing career and refined through her legal training.
Her refugee advocacy work demonstrates how the questions that first arose while caring for President Reagan have evolved into concrete action. She has moved from observing inequality to actively fighting against it, using her legal skills to level the playing field for those who might otherwise be overlooked by the system.
The Power of Transformed Perspective
Ringler’s story illustrates how a single experience can fundamentally alter someone’s life trajectory. Her encounter with presidential-level healthcare didn’t just change her career—it changed how she understood her role in society and her responsibility to others.
The transformation from nurse to lawyer to activist wasn’t just about changing professions. It was about recognizing that individual actions can have broader implications and that systemic problems require systemic solutions. Ringler’s journey demonstrates that professional skills can be redirected toward social justice and that career changes can be driven by moral imperatives rather than just economic considerations.
Her work with refugees shows how personal experiences can inform broader advocacy efforts. The inequality she observed in healthcare has motivated her to address inequality in immigration law, proving that the lessons learned in one context can be applied to entirely different situations.
A Legacy of Service and Advocacy
Robyn DeSantis Ringler’s journey from nurse to lawyer to refugee advocate represents more than just a career change—it’s a testament to the power of questioning, learning, and acting on one’s convictions. Her story demonstrates that professional transformation can be driven by moral awakening and that individuals can make meaningful differences in addressing systemic problems.
The questions that first arose while caring for President Reagan have evolved into a lifetime of advocacy work. Ringler has shown that recognizing inequality is just the first step—the real work comes in developing the skills and commitment necessary to address it effectively.
Her current work with refugees at the Albany County jail represents the practical application of decades of learning and growth. She has found a way to use her unique combination of healthcare experience and legal training to serve some of society’s most vulnerable members.
Frequently Asked Questions
What inspired Robyn DeSantis Ringler to become a lawyer?
Ringler’s decision to pursue law was directly inspired by her experience caring for President Reagan after the 1981 assassination attempt. Observing the disparity in healthcare treatment based on social status prompted questions about systemic inequality that ultimately led her to view law as a more effective tool for addressing these issues.
What type of legal work does Robyn DeSantis Ringler do now?
Currently, Ringler volunteers her time helping refugees who are being held at the Albany County jail. This work involves navigating complex immigration law and advocating for individuals who often lack resources to represent themselves effectively.
How did her nursing background influence her legal career?
Ringler’s nursing experience provided her with valuable insights into how institutions function and how policies affect individual lives. Her healthcare background also instilled in her a deep appreciation for human dignity and the importance of treating every person with respect and care—values that became central to her legal practice.
What was significant about treating President Reagan?
The experience of caring for President Reagan exposed Ringler to stark contrasts in healthcare treatment. She witnessed how 16 patients were moved from an entire hallway to create a presidential suite, and observed the extensive resources that could be mobilized for a VIP patient, which highlighted systemic inequalities in healthcare access.
What lessons can be learned from Ringler’s career transformation?
Ringler’s journey demonstrates that professional transformation can be driven by moral awakening and that individuals can make meaningful differences in addressing systemic problems. Her story shows how questioning observed inequalities can lead to concrete action and how skills from one profession can be redirected toward social justice advocacy.
