Awards Programs
Chamber Award Programs
The Chamber offers several award programs designed to congratulate members on outstanding achievement.
- W. Curtis Strube Small Business Award
- Salute to Health Care
- Young Professional of the Year Award
- The Springfieldian Award (part of the Chamber's Annual Meeting)
W. Curtis Strube Small Business Award
This annual Chamber award celebrates the importance of small business in the Springfield community and highlights the unique entrepreneurial spirit that flourishes here. The award recipient is selected based on such factors as staying power, response to adversity, innovative products or services, business philosophy and contributions to the community, and is announced each year during an award lunch.
Click here to register for the 2013 Small Business Award Lunch on Wednesday, May 8.
For more information on the award, the event, the week or sponsorship opportunities, contact Jen Johnson.
Past recipients include:
1992 – Terminal Consolidation Company
1993 – Big Cabin Wholesale Gifts
1994 – Watts Heatway
1995 – Mears Floral Products
1996 – Opfer Communications
1997 – Springfield Business Journal
1998 – Butler, Rosenbury & Partners
1999 – ServiceWorld Computer Center
2000 – Aire-Master of America
2001 – Carnahan-White
2002 – Environmental Works
2003 – PFI Western Store
2004 – Millwood Golf & Racquet Club
2005 – Candy House Gourmet Chocolates
2006 – Amberg Entertainment
2007 – Family Pharmacy (Plainview Road location)
2008 – Pelham Phillips Architects & Engineers
2009 – TLC Property Management, LLC
2010 – Corporate Business Systems, Inc.
2011 – Ozarks Food Harvest, Inc.
2012 – Rick's Automotive, Inc.
Salute to Health Care
Originated by the Chamber in 1985, the Salute to Health Care program recognizes health care as a leading industry in the Springfield area. Over nearly two decades, outstanding health care professionals and organizations have been recognized for community service and medical achievements. For more information on the award, the annual banquet or sponsorship opportunities, contact Kim Everest.
Past recipients include:
1985 – James T. Brown, M.D., Fred Coller, M.D., James R. Cook, M.D., Don F. Gose, M.D., F.T. H’Doubler, M.D., Charles Lockhart, M.D.
1986 – Durward G. Hall, M.D., Joe Hickman, Diana McClure, Margaret Norris, Jorge Louis Padron, Ph.D.
1987 – Robert D. Duncan, M.D., Thomas E. Ferrell, M.D., Terry Moore, Neil C. Wortley
1988 – Michael J. Clarke, M.D., Mary Ruth Cuddy, Laurie Cunningham
1989 – Harold Bengsch, Maude Lee Tillman, R.N., Glen Turner, M.D.
1990 – Oral B. Crawford, M.D., Rita Wright Gurian, R.N., B.S.N., C.A. Al Turner
1991 – Walter A. German, M.D., Keith A Laferriere, M.D., Kathleen M. O’Dell, The Sisters of Mercy
1992 – Stanley S. Peterson, M.D., Nancy H. Ceaser, M.D., Thomas M. MacDonnell, M.D.
1993 – Thomas E. Ashley, M.D., Ginny Staley Ross, R.N., M.Ed., Charles M. Edwards
1994 – Susan A. Blackard, R.N., John P. Ferguson, M.D.
1995 – Jim Blaine, M.D., Suzanne Dollar, R.N., B.S.N., Todd Schaible, Ph.D.
1996 – Delmar E. Caywood, J. Wendall Goodwin, M.D., The L.I.N.K. Clinic
1997 – John D. Bentley, M.D., Janie Brunette, R.N., M.S.N., Don Thompson
1998 – Joyce L. Madore, RNC, Don S. Overend, M.D., Maura Taylor
1999 – Phillip Carr, M.D., Jean Grabeel, R.N., Med., Mary Beth O’Reilly
2000 – AIDS Project of the Ozarks, Robert L. Carolla, M.D., Bernard A. Griesemer, M.D.
2001 – Nora M. Burgess, R.N., Betty L. Luckie, Larry W. Halverson, M.D., Rex Witherspoon, D.D.S.
2002 – Advocates for a Healthy Community, Wolfe Gerecht, M.D., Larry Wallis, Robert Zahn, M.D.
2003 – Community Hospices of America, Norman P. Knowlton, III, M.D., Mid-America Transplant Services, Kevin D. Wallace, DMD
2004 – MacDonald Bonebrake, M.D., Kim Dorn, RN, BSN, Donald Wantuck, M.D.
2005 – Major John W. "Bucky" Buckner, M.D., Judith A. Dasovich, M.D., Walter J. Gaska, M.D.
2006 – Robert Kipfer, M.D., James T. Rogers
2007 – Thomas A. Colins, Sr., D.D.S., M.S., Patricia Dix, M.D., Roy W. Holand, M.D.
2008 – Jerry Cash, D.D.S., M.S., John F. Ferguson M.D., John Mihalevich, M.D.
2009 – Mr. Donald J. Babb, Dr. Michael S. Clarke, Dr. William Sistrunk
2010 – Jose' Dominguez, M.D.; Meera Scarrow, M.D., J.D.; and Trudi Scott, Nurse Practitioner (Posthumous Honor)
2011 – Ruth Grant, M.D.; Gary Hoos, M.D.; Bharat Shah, M.D.
2012 – Tom Prater, M.D.; Alastair Haddow, M.D.
Young Professional of the Year Award
The Network for Springfield’s Young Professionals celebrated its fifth anniversary in 2012, and to recognize the leadership and vision of its nearly 300 members, a new award program was established. Presented at The Network's Anniversary Celebration, the award was given to a young professional between the ages of 21 and 40 who demonstrated leadership and a passion for making a difference in the community.
2012 – Teresa Coyan
Stay Connected . . .
