The Carbon County Medical Society announced last night R.D. Edwards of Lansford, president and general manager of the Brights Stores, has been selected to receive the Dr. Benjamin Rush Award.

The award, an annual one since 1954, is given to a prominent layman in the county, presented “for outstanding contributions to the advancement of public health and to the improvement of health conditions in the county.”

Edwards’ selection was made by the society’s committee of doctors S.F. Druckenmiller, Robert E. Mitchell, Allen Erskine and Joseph Nosal.

Past recipients of the award are Fred W. Weaver of Lansford, 1954; the Rev. A.J. Angelini of Nesquehoning, 1955; and Wilbur G. Warner of Lehighton, 1956.