Collier County Medical Society is pleased to announce that Robert Tober, MD is the recipient of the 2025 CCMS Lifetime Achievement Award. This award honors a CCMS member who deserves special recognition for making outstanding contributions to the practice of medicine, and displaying dedication, commitment, leadership, and excellence that spans their professional career and aligns with the CCMS mission.
CCMS will present the award at the CCMS 68th Annual Meeting & Installation of Officers on June 14th, Arthrex One Conference Center. Interested attendees can register for the event online or by contacting CCMS: (239) 435-7727 or info@ccmsonline.org. Sponsorships are also available.
Dr. Tober was selected for his decades of inspirational service as a physician, educator, public health advocate, volunteer, and visionary leader. He was nominated by his colleague at Collier County Emergency Medical Service, Dr. Douglas Lee, who described Dr. Tober’s significant civic contributions and related that he “is an iconic pioneer who has demanded outstanding EMS standards and deserves honor and credit for the extraordinarily positive impact he has had on the quality of health care in Collier County.”
Dr. Tober began his career at Naples Community Hospital in 1978 and cared for thousands of emergency medical patients during his two-decade tenure there, eventually serving as Chair of Emergency Medicine. Under his leadership, the Emergency Department developed the foundations of emergency medical care for heart attacks and strokes in this community. Dr. Tober also demonstrated visionary leadership as the founder of Collier County Emergency Medical Services and laid the groundwork for what is now one of the most respected EMS programs in the region. Dr. Tober’s groundbreaking initiatives have received world attention, such as pioneering the nation’s first automated external defibrillators location tracking system for 911.
In addition, Dr. Tober spent 22 years volunteering at the Neighborhood Health Clinic, was named Florida EMS Medical Director of the Year twice, and served as President of the Florida College of Emergency Physicians. He has received the Florida Medical Association Roy M. Baker Award for Lifetime Achievements and the CCMS Physician of the Year Award, and the Collier County Board of Commissioners designated May 10, 2011 as Dr. Robert Boyd Tober Day. Throughout his career, he has remained a passionate advocate for public health and safety, working collaboratively with local government agencies, first responders, and community organizations.
“EMS has come a long way, from 6 ambulances, 18 paramedics and an old Vietnam Surplus helicopter to 28 ambulances and a new helicopter responding to about 45,000 calls per year,” said Dr. Tober. “Our prehospital medical care remains sharp and proficient with repetitive practice, and on behalf of our emergency medical system, I thank CCMS for this honor.”
“It is a privilege to recognize Dr. Tober for his lifetime of service and dedication to the advancement of emergency medicine,” said CCMS Board President, Dr. Zubin Pachori. “His pioneering efforts in emergency response have saved countless lives and set a standard for excellence.”