Mark Rhode

MANISTIQUE — Mark Rhode, of Manistique, was honored as the Michigan Society of Community Pharmacists (MSCP) Pharmacist of the Year at the Michigan Pharmacists Association (MPA) Annual Convention & Exposition, Feb. 22-24 at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center.

Rhode has been a pharmacist for 40 years, with the last 35 of those years at Putvin’s HealthMart in Manistique, where he started as a staff pharmacist. His role moved from partner to sole proprietor throughout the years as his knowledge and experience grew. All throughout his career Rhode has given his time and energy to improve the health and wellness of the community he serves. Rhode initiated the drug take back program in Schoolcraft County, has volunteered as a presenter at local community y organizations and has continuously worked to speak with various members of the political community regarding trending pharmacy issues.

Rhode has seen many changes in community pharmacy throughout his career. When he first started, the labels were typed by hand on a typewriter. Now, the pharmacy is computerized and automated with some robotic filling. The business has also grown by about 175 percent. Through all these changes, one thing has remained constant — his commitment to customer service. Mark states, “I never wanted to be the biggest pharmacy, just

the best!”

The Michigan Society of Community Pharmacists (MSCP) is a practice section of Michigan Pharmacists Association (MPA), representing community, independent, chain and outpatient pharmacists in Michigan. MSCP cooperates to advance public health, patient care and the interests of the pharmacy profession. MPA advances the profession of pharmacy and patient care on behalf of the 9,000 pharmacists and 15,000 pharmacy technicians in the state.