NORWICH – The Baden-Powell Council of the Boy Scouts of America has announced that Dr. Parker J. Ward Jr. has been selected to receive the 2009 Distinguished Citizen of the Year award for Chenango County.

Dr. Ward, of Norwich, will be honored at a dinner to be held on Thursday, May 14 at the Canasawacta Country Club in Norwich. Dr. Ward was selected for the award by a committee of local citizens which includes past recipients, and is co-chaired by Dave and Mary El Emerson of Oxfrod.

This is the 24th Annual Distinguished Citizen of the Year dinner benefiting the local Scouting program. Each year the Scouts recognize local community leaders for their outstanding contribution to the betterment of the community and service to his fellow citizens.

Dr. Ward has been dedicated to the community through his time and generosity to many community organizations and has been practicing medicine in Norwich since 1964. Dr. Ward earned the Life Scout award and was elected into the Order of the Arrow which is the National Honor Society of the Boy Scouts of America.