Employee Spotlight: Rick Wilhoit, PharmD
Director of DOL and Compounding Pharmacy Services
How long have you been with Mac’s Pharmacy? I grew up in the family business—Mac’s Pharmacy was started by my dad, Mac, in 1989. I’m the oldest of four (Mike, Tim, and Elisa are my siblings), and I have memories all the way back to my high school years at the Washington Pike store. I ran the cash register, stocked and cleaned shelves (back when people could still smoke inside!), and once I got my driver’s license, I made deliveries.
Tell us a little about your education and career journey. I graduated from Knoxville Catholic High School in 1998 and earned my Bachelor’s degree in Communication and Public Relations from the University of Tennessee in 2003. After finishing my science prerequisites at Florida Atlantic University, I attended South University in Savannah, Georgia, where I earned my Doctor of Pharmacy degree. During that time, I had the opportunity to contribute on a report for Advanced Pharmacy Practices to the U.S. Surgeon General while interning in Washington, D.C, for the American Pharmacists Association. He also interned for the State of Tn House of Representatives in Nashville. I also completed my PGY1 pharmacy practice residency at Sacred Heart Health System in Pensacola. From there, I later worked as an ER hospital pharmacist at West Florida Hospital and also PRN at Gulf Breeze Apothecary.
What was 2020 like for you? It was overwhelming and traumatizing. Being an ER pharmacist during the pandemic meant seeing terrible, awful things daily. I’ll never forget the early days—churches and community groups were literally sewing masks out of pillowcase fabric and pipe cleaners. That’s the protection. we were working with. The emotional and physical toll was heavy, and I’m most proud of the decision to walk away from that environment—it took confidence to say “this isn’t healthy for me anymore.” At the same time, my family purchased Gulf Breeze’s sterile compounding lab, so I transitioned into that role and developed a real passion for helping patients through compounding alternatives.
What brought you back to Knoxville? In 2023, I knew it was time. I had been missing out on my nieces and nephews’ ball games, dance recitals, and just being around family. Moving back allowed me to reconnect and be part of their lives again.
Do you have any pets? Yes—three dogs! Kayto (8), Kali (7), and Rocky (7). Kali is named after the goddess of destruction, which fits her perfectly. I’ve always loved animals—I even used to have a pet snake.
What do you enjoy outside of work? I love digital art and have been exploring AI tools to create some really unique pieces. I’m also a Disney fan and try to go once or twice a year—it’s just magical, everything they do is top-notch. I also enjoy reading; one of my favorite books is Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.
What do you enjoy most about your role now? In the ER, everything was so fast-paced I never had the chance to really get to know patients. Now, I get to slow down and connect with people, building relationships and helping them in meaningful ways—especially with my critical care and compounding background. I also enjoy the traveling pharmacist
What’s your go-to recommendation at Mac’s? The peach salsa. I don’t even like peaches, but this salsa is incredible, and I tell everyone to try it.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in pharmacy? Don’t back yourself into one role. Pharmacy is broad—ER, critical care, compounding, hospital, community. Be open to different paths—you never know where your skills will be needed.
What inspired you to become a pharmacist? I grew up around pharmacy my whole life. My dad, Mac, was a pharmacist and the original founder of Mac’s Pharmacy back in 1989. From a young age, it was just part of our family’s DNA—I remember watching him work and seeing how much people trusted him. Then my younger brother, Mike, followed the same path and became a pharmacist, too. For me, it wasn’t so much a single moment of inspiration as it was realizing this was the world I knew best and where I could make the biggest impact. I didn’t want to be a pharmacist at first, but over time, I felt like this was the career I was destined for. Looking back, I’m glad I embraced it. It’s given me opportunities in ER, compounding, and now with DOL services. Most of all, it’s allowed me to carry on my dad’s legacy and serve patients on a local level, right here with my family.
