ORLANDO, FLA. – The Florida College of Emergency Physicians (FCEP) is pleased to announce that Larry Hobbs, MD, FACEP, has been elected as FCEP’s 36th president. Dr. Hobbs originally succeeded David Siegel, MD, JD, FACEP, FACP, as acting president in May, when Dr. Siegel accepted a position in New Jersey. . Dr. Hobbs, the medical director at Southwest Florida Regional Medical Center and the president of the Southwest Florida Emergency Physicians group, now begins his official term after FCEP Board elections were held in July.

Ernest Page II, MD, FACEP, of Orlando was elected to the office of FCEP President-Elect, Mylissa Graber, MD, FACEP, of Delray Beach was chosen as Vice-President, and Amy Conley, MD, FACEP, of Tampa was selected as Secretary-Treasurer. Four new members of the FCEP Board of Directors were elected by the membership at large, and were announced at Symposium by the Sea. They were: Miguel Acevedo, MD, FACEP, of Orlando; Frederick Epstein, MD, FACEP, of Lynn Haven; Beth Longenecker, DO, FACEP, FACOEP, of Coconut Grove; and Michael Lozano Jr., MD, FACEP, of Tampa.

“It is an honor to serve the Florida College of Emergency Physicians as president and to follow in the footsteps of great emergency physicians and advocates like David Siegel,” said Dr. Hobbs. “FCEP will continue to push for improvement in access to quality emergency care for Florida’s citizens and visitors, and also to improve the practice climate for all providers of emergency care, whether it be nurses, physicians, specialists, physician assistants, EMTs or paramedics.”

Dr. Hobbs graduated from the University of Miami School of Medicine in 1982 and completed his residency in emergency medicine at University Hospital in Jacksonville in 1985. He is certified in emergency medicine by the American Board of Emergency Medicine and has been a staff physician at Southwest Florida Regional Medical Center since 1985. Dr. Hobbs is also on the board of directors for the Lee County Medical Society and managing partner for Urgent Care Center of Southwest Florida, LLC.

The Florida College of Emergency Physicians (FCEP) represents more than 1,100 emergency physicians in the state of Florida. FCEP members represent the health care safety net of Florida’s residents and visitors. More than seven million patients seek care annually in Florida emergency departments. FCEP was founded on Oct. 15, 1971 and is headquartered in Orlando.