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Steve Edwards is the 2020 Humanitarian of the year.
SBJ file photo
Steve Edwards is the 2020 Humanitarian of the year.

Edwards named 2020 Humanitarian Award recipient

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CoxHealth President and CEO Steve Edwards was named as the recipient of the 2020 Humanitarian Award.

Community Foundation of the Ozarks and the Association of Fundraising Professionals-Ozarks Region Chapter are slated to present the award virtually Nov. 10, according to a news release. Edwards was chosen for the award by a committee organized by the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce.

Community volunteer Morey Mechlin nominated Edwards for the award, which recognizes humanitarian leadership in the area.

“While Steve has always been recognized as a leader in the health community, he used his position, education, business acumen and personal contacts – at great personal and professional risk – to lead our community through the COVID-19 crisis," Mechlin said in the release.

The release cited Edwards' "forthrightness and compassion" during the pandemic. He personally seeded a philanthropic fund to help employees impacted by the virus, and he led the health system to build a COVID-19 unit at Cox South before it was needed. As of Oct. 2, CoxHealth had 59 COVID-19 patients currently admitted, according to a tweet from Edwards.

Edwards also has been a proponent of the city's mask mandate. Last month, he was among health leaders who recommended Springfield City Council extend the measure. Council is slated to begin consideration of the extension tonight. Approved by council in July, the mandate currently is slated to expire in mid-October.

The Humanitarian Award was founded in 1990 by late Springfield philanthropist Jewell Thompson Schweitzer. Last year's recipient was Jill Bright, founder of the nonprofit Diaper Bank of the Ozarks.

This year's selection committee was led by chamber Chairman-elect Logan Aguirre. Members of the committee were David Atkisson, Chantha Chhim, Brandy Harris, Jason Leininger, Jamie Trussell and Phillip Wright, according to the release.

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