Mark Hobbs, ʼ81, president and owner of Hobbs Pharmacy in Merritt Island, was honored with the 2015 University of Florida College of Pharmacy’s Outstanding Alumnus Award during the spring commencement ceremony. The award is presented each year to an alumnus who has made significant contributions to the pharmacy profession.
Hobbs began working at his family’s pharmacy business in Brevard County following graduation. His dad, Gary, founded Hobbs Pharmacy in 1964 to serve residents of Florida’s Space Coast. Mark took the reins of the family business 25 years later and has led the multifaceted health care operation that was named the 2011 U.S. Small Business Association Jeffrey Butland Family Owned Business of the Year. It is one of the leading independent pharmacies in Florida and has brought innovative compliance, immunization and custom compounding services to the Space Coast. Hobbs is also co-owner of Brevard Medical Equipment, a medical/surgical supply company based on Merritt Island.
A past president of the Florida Pharmacy Association, Hobbs has served in several leadership roles including chairman of the Florida Council for United Drugs and has been granted Fellow status in both the American Pharmaceutical Association and the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists. His peers have recognized him with numerous honors, including the Marion Merrel Dow Distinguished Young Pharmacist Award, the Frank Tobak Consultant Pharmacist of the Year and the American Pharmaceutical Association Good Government Pharmacist of the Year.
“Mark’s successful family-owned pharmacy has served generations of Space Coast residents and his service to multiple pharmacy organizations within our state and country make him an outstanding choice for this year’s College of Pharmacy Outstanding Alumnus Award,” said Julie Johnson, Pharm.D., dean of the UF College of Pharmacy. “He embodies the spirit of the award through his continued support of the College of Pharmacy and his legacy of service to the profession he loves.”
In additional to his professional service, Hobbs has benefited his local community through leadership as president of the Brevard County American Cancer Society, treasurer of the Cocoa Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and past president of the Merritt Island Rotary Club.
Hobbs is an adjunct professor for the UF College of Pharmacy and currently serves as chairman of the Dean’s Leadership Council. A lifelong resident of Central Brevard, he resides on Merritt Island with his wife, Kim, and two sons, Garrett and Alex.