The Intermountain Healthcare Research and Medical Foundation will recognize two prominent Utahns Thursday for their roles in improving the quality of life for people in Utah and beyond.

The Legacy of Life awards, presented by the Heart & Lung Research Foundation at Salt Lake City's Little America Hotel, singled out Gail Miller and Terry Clemmer for what foundation officials described as their outstanding and tireless contributions.

Miller, wife of Larry H. Miller who died in 2009, now owns a group of companies formerly run by her husband, among them the Utah Jazz. She also administers the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation, is vice-chair of Salt Lake Community College's trustee board, serves on the University of Utah's National Advisory Council and is a member of the President's Advisory Council.

Miller is known for promoting healthy lifestyle choices and serving the community through civic, church and philanthropic activities.

Larry H. Miller was similarly honored in 2001. The Legacy of Life award dates back to 1991 and has been given to former governors, philanthropists, high-ranking members of the Mormon Church and well-known business executives.

Clemmer, the foundation's 2012 scientific honoree, is noted for pioneering work in the field of critical care medicine in Utah, helping to establish the Shock-Trauma Intensive Care Unit at LDS Hospital, the formation of the Intermountain Life Flight air transport program and work on the hospital's nutritional support service.

Clemmer has written more than 100 scientific publications and articles and is known around the globe for his critical care expertise as well as contributions to medical informatics, telemedicine, standardized care and quality care improvements.

The scientific Legacy of Life award was first handed out in 1999 and previous recipients span a broad array of medical specialties.