Business North Carolina, a statewide business magazine, has named Dr. Benjamin G. Atkeson of Wendell to its 2012 Best Doctors list.

Atkeson, a cardiologist, practices at the Smithfield and Clayton offices of WHV-Wake Heart & Vascular. Atkeson, who earned his medical degree from Georgetown University in 1996, also is certified in nuclear cardiology.

Business North Carolina annually recognizes best practitioners under an agreement with Best Doctors Inc., a Boston company founded by physicians affiliated with Harvard Medical School that provides expert medical consultation services.

White Dove Chapel recognized

For the third consecutive year, White Dove Chapel has been selected as the Best of Wendell in the privately operated Wedding Chapel category by the U.S. Commerce Association.

The USCA "Best of Local Business" award program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Nationwide, only 1 in 120 (less than 1 percent) of award recipients qualified as three-time award winners. Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2011 USCA Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data from third parties.

U.S. Commerce Association is a New York City based organization funded by local businesses operating in large and small towns across America. USCA promotes local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.

The USCA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. This organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups.