LAYTON—The Davis Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Standard Examiner, hosted the Best of Davis County Awards at a celebration held last week at the Young Automotive Headquarters in Layton. More than 260 people attended the event and 90 awards were given to local businesses.

“We honored a lot of people,” said Davis Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Angie Osguthorpe. “The Standard took nominations online for about two weeks for people to vote for their favorites.”

Layton Hospital won for best hospital and Dr. Daniel Tensmeyer for best physician. “I think a lot has to do with our caregivers,” said Chad Hunt, Communications Manager for Layton Hospital. “The atmosphere and dedication caregivers provide to patients every day is why I think people love our hospital.”

Tensmeyer is an orthopedic surgeon, he said. “He does a fabulous job and he’s invested in it and the community. Every year in June we partner with Layton recreation for sports physicals. He always helps so he can support the community. He’s great with patients and with what he does.”

The award for best hospital was a bit of a surprise, said Hunt. “We were hopeful but we know there are a lot of great clinics and hospitals so to be recognized was truly an honor. We’re grateful the community trusts us with their care. We do our best to reciprocate that trust by giving the best care we can.”

Davis Technical College was awarded best trade and technical school and the beauty school was honored as best program and the college also won best employer. “That was a surprise to us to win,” said Davis Tech President Darin Brush. “We hadn’t even seen that we were on the list. It’s very validating for us and everything we do for our employees.”

It’s fun, he said. “We’ve been trying to make this a positive atmosphere for employees.”

Brush said being honored as the best trade and technical school comes down to faculty. “They’re so focused on student success and preparing them with the skills for a career where they can earn a good wage upon graduation.”

Instructors come from the industry world, he said. “So they have the experience to focus on one student at a time.”

Davis Tech is one of the elite technical schools in the nation, said Brush. “It’s such a unique model. We have the flexibility to meet students’ work/life needs while they learn skills that are in demand. We put them on the path to livable wages. We’re laser focused on what employers in the industry need.”

The awards are very validating, he said. “We’re trying to make this the best technical college anywhere.”

Elite sponsors for the event include Iron Gate Grill, who provided the breakfast, Intermountain Health, True Pros and Valley Glass, said Osguthorpe. “We appreciate Young Automotive for being the event sponsor. We hope to do it again next year. It was a great event.”