Robert Stark

Robert Stark was appointed interim Chief of Pediatric Surgery following Dr. Robbins' resignation to oversee a pediatric surgery program in Malawi, Africa.

Career
Under contract for a year, Stark continues to serve as the department chief when Robbins returns. Described as a lazy doctor and a complacent and self-satisfied attending, Stark represents the antithesis of attending surgeons commonly employed at Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital. Stark has an antagonistic disposition with most of the hospital staff.

Upon his arrival, he formed a negative relationship with Alex Karev when he refused to consider using Alex's idea for a liver transplant. Alex later discovers Stark used the idea, but said it was his own. This negative relationship was reinforced when Stark insisted on amputating a teenage girl's leg unnecessarily. Karev body blocked Stark from the leg while Arizona Robbins went to get her privileges reinstated. When she returned, she kicked Stark out of the OR, and she and Callie were able to save the leg. This showed that he values being right and doing things his way over helping a child. He is also not very open to suggestions.

Despite his negative qualities, Stark proved to be a competent surgeon when he performed life saving surgery on Callie, Arizona, and Mark's baby, Sofia after she developed complications. Arizona, who had initially considered other surgeons for the job, expressed her gratitude to him regardless of their initial hostility.

Stark recommended Dr. April Kepner for the Chief Resident job, after she showed that she really cares for her patients (by making a porridge and learning some words in the language of the African children so that not everything would be new).

Romantic
Stark had a brief relationship with April Kepner, although April broke it off by saying she only considered him a friend.

Notes and Trivia

 * Arizona Robbins gave him a kiss on the cheeck in It's a Long Way Back. This makes him the only man she has ever kissed on-screen.