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Pensacola, FL (January 10, 2020) – At its annual Community Awards & Installation Luncheon ceremony held today, the Santa Rosa County Chamber of Commerce honored Nemours Children’s Specialty Care as Business of the Year 2019. Nemours was among eight area businesses and community members recognized for excellence at the luncheon.

Dr. Mary Mehta, Chief Medical Officer, said, “This award demonstrates that Nemours is truly committed to the children and families of Santa Rosa County, one of the fastest growing counties in the panhandle. The pediatric specialists and staff here at Nemours love caring for the children in our community.  This award solidifies the day to day excellent care they provide, and we are privileged and humbled to receive this recognition.”

Nemours Children’s Specialty Care, a specialized pediatric care facility for Northwest Florida and South Alabama kids, is considered a leader in children's healthcare and has seen over 14,000 children and performed over 900 surgeries – with a 0% infection rate. Nemours is an accredited pediatric cystic fibrosis center, an accredited pediatric sleep center, one of the few accredited pediatric transthoracic in the region and is a center of Excellence by the American Diabetes Associates. In the Pensacola area, Nemours has served the children and families in the community for over 20 years, and is involved in research studies and clinical trials to seek new approaches to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of childhood diseases.

Many of Nemours specialists are on the list of "Best Docs of America" and serve on national boards advocating for our children. In addition, Nemours supports the military's community, especially Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) by providing specialty pediatric services and appropriate resources to meet the needs of active duty members and their families. This brings military families together and into the Pensacola community.

The Chamber’s Awards were presented to winners in eight separate categories, which included community achievement, volunteer of the year, business of the year, emerging leader of the year, community leader of the year, women of the year, man of the year and the hall of fame award.

Finalists were evaluated and selected based on:

• Nominations from members and the community

• Commitment to the Santa Rosa region – longevity in the region, community impact

Ultimately, there was one winner honored in each category at the ceremony. Santa Rosa County Chamber of Commerce presented eight awards and honored many nominees for their business success and community outreach. The award recipients were:

• Community Achievement: Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge

• Volunteer of the Year: Coach George Norton

• Business of the Year: Nemours Children’s Specialty Care, Pensacola

• Community Leader of the Year: Erin Vaugh

• Woman of the Year: Magen Norwood

• Man of the Year: Edward Pasek

• Hall of Fame: Dr. Bob Asmus

About 150 people attended the luncheon and celebration. Event sponsors included Santa Rosa Medical Center, Santa Rosa Press Gazette, Bruce Baker & Josh Shawley, AT&T, RE/MAX Infinity, City of Milton, Gulf Coast Power Company, University Lending Group, and V.W.F. Post 4833.

Santa Rosa County Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization comprised of business and business-oriented members dedicated to the development of a prosperous economic climate that will enhance commercial growth and the quality of life for all who reside in the Santa Rosa Area.

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About Nemours Children’s Health System

Nemours is an internationally recognized children's health system that owns and operates the Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Del., and Nemours Children's Hospital in Orlando, Fla., along with outpatient facilities in five states, delivering pediatric primary, specialty and urgent care. Nemours also powers the world’s most-visited website for information on the health of children and teens, KidsHealth.org and offers on-demand, online video patient visits through Nemours CareConnect.

Established as The Nemours Foundation through the legacy and philanthropy of Alfred I. duPont, Nemours provides pediatric clinical care, research, education, advocacy, and prevention programs to families in the communities it serves.