Austintown doctor retires from 50 years in medicine

By Kalea Hall

khall@vindy.com

austintown

After more than 50 years in the medical field, Dr. Edward M. Hobbs can still say he loves his job.

“I think that’s the reason why I am still in it at this age,” said Hobbs, who declined to give his age.

On Wednesday, Dr. Hobbs worked his last shift at his primary-care office on Mahoning Avenue. He will continue his work in the medical field in nutrition and helping patients with substance abuse.

“I will miss the many patients that I have come to know and care for and the interaction with my employees and colleagues,” Dr. Hobbs said.

One of those patients is Kathy Markovich, 65, of Poland. She has been his patient since she was 12.

“I felt very secure and very safe with Dr. Hobbs,” Markovich said. “I believe it takes a lot of trust to have someone in that service for that amount of time.”

Dr. Hobbs, originally of Delaware, knew he wanted to provide service to others, and his medical career gave him that opportunity. He went on to graduate from the University of Delaware and then Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Missouri. He interned in Erie, Pa., and decided to stay in the area.

“It’s my home,” Dr. Hobbs said. “There aren’t many places as gracious and as wonderful as in Northeastern Ohio.”

On Wednesday, Markovich extended that gratitude to Dr. Hobbs for his dedication to her as a patient over the past 53 years with a gift.

“He really meant a great deal to me,” Markovich said. “He was like part of my family.”

Dr. Hobbs’ advice for future doctors is to fully understand what medicine is about before going into the field.

“When I entered in the profession I did not anticipate how gratifying an experience it was going to be,” he said. “I’ve loved every minute of it.”