Accomplished healthcare professionals to be recognized in Shelby County

The Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce’s Health Services Work Group will recognize a top healthcare professional with a new award.

The Healthcare Professional of the Year award was created to recognize those who keep the workforce healthy, Keyla Handley, director of community and workforce development for the Chamber of Commerce, said.

The Health Services Work Group aims to promote the importance of good health, wellness and education in Shelby County businesses. Acknowledging healthcare providers is important, Handley said, because of how the general health of employees and owners affects commerce.

“We always think that if, for business-wise, if you have a healthy workforce then your business will be better because of that,” she said. “These are the people keeping our bosses and workers healthy.”

As long as a healthcare professional is employed in Shelby County, they are eligible to be nominated for this award. Handley said the chamber hopes to recognize those who are have shown commitment and success in the healthcare, and nomination questions include how the nominee has made a difference in the community and its health. 

“We’re hoping that [candidates] will be dedicated to healthcare and have accomplished outstanding goals or tasks in a healthcare service role and achieved outstanding status in their field,” Handley said.

Nominations for the award will be accepted through Aug. 3, and forms are available on the chamber’s website. All nominees, as well as the award recipient, will be recognized at the Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Aug. 26.

This is the first time the Healthcare Professional of the Year award will be presented, but Handley said this will hopefully become a yearly award.