LEWISBURG, TN-Robert (Bob) Phillips, D.Ph., a Newport native, has been awarded the Bowl of Hygeia Community Service Award. The award was presented in a ceremony during the 122nd annual convention of the Tennessee Pharmacists Association (TPA) held in July in Hilton Head, South Carolina.

A longtime resident and former mayor of Lewisburg, TN, Phillips is the son of the late Walter and Helen (Garner) Phillips of Newport. Local relatives include his sister and brother-in-law, Lynne and Bobby Smith.

He is a graduate of Newport Grammar School and Cocke County High School and obtained his pre-pharmacy work at Carson-Newman College. He received his pharmacy degree from the University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy in Memphis.

The Bowl of Hygeia Community Service Award, now in its fifty-first year of operation, is sponsored by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals and presented annually to recognize pharmacists with outstanding records of civic involvement in their communities. It is recognized as North American Pharmacy's most prestigious state level award.

He has served his community for more than 40 years, both as a pharmacist and as a civic leader.

As the owner and staff pharmacist for two H & S Pharmacies, Dr. Phillips' career has defined availability and patient care for Lewisburg and Marshall County.

He has served his community as chairman of the Marshall County Library Board, chairman of the Marshall Medical Center Hospital Board, member of the Marshall County Community Theater Advisory Board, and member of the Duck River Agency.

For the past twelve years, he has served as Lewisburg's mayor, helping the city navigate many changes; yet, he has not missed a day behind the counter to provide care for his patients. Whether it is a resident who needs their trash picked up or a sick patient who needs medication, Dr. Phillips is available.

He led other businessmen in raising money for a new library with rooms dedicated to the three Marshall County Democratic governors of Tennessee. The rooms were decorated by the widows of the governors with memorabilia from their terms in office.

At his invitation, the late James R. and Wilma Dykeman Stokely spoke at the dedication.

The businessmen, who met at his drugstore prior to work hours, also raised money to build a recreation area where five baseball teams could play at one time. They also encouraged the construction of Lewisburg's community center.

Phillips assisted in the purchase and refurbishment of the Dixie Theater on the town square for use by the Marshall County Community Theater.

He and his wife Faris are the parents of five children and nine grandchildren, all of whom are Lewisburg residents.

The Tennessee Pharmacists Association, a professional organization of more than 2,000 pharmacists and students pharmacists in all practice areas across the state, promotes the delivery of quality pharmaceutical care and works to enhance the knowledge, ethics, and skills of pharmacists, as well as to protect and improve public health.