Henry Schein, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSIC) announced today that Community Dental Care—a Maplewood, Minnesota-based humanitarian organization—has been awarded the gold medal in the Oral Health category of the second annual Henry Schein Cares Medal program.
The program honors organizations that demonstrate excellence in expanding access to care for the underserved. Stanley M. Bergman, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Henry Schein, presented Community Dental Care with the gold medal at the company’s national dental sales meeting yesterday in Nashville, Tennessee.
Community Dental Care was recognized for its commitment to ensuring that everyone has equal access to high-quality dental care in a convenient, caring, and respectful environment. It fulfills this mission through clinical services, preventive oral health education programs, advocacy, and the training of dental, medical, and community health professionals.
An independent panel of judges selected Community Dental Care as this year’s gold medalist from a field that also included silver medalist Interfaith Dental Clinic of Nashville of Nashville, Tennessee, and bronze medalist Gaston Family Health Services of Gastonia, North Carolina. Each medalist receives a cash award in the following amounts: $15,000 for gold, $10,000 for silver, and $5,000 for bronze, through the support of the Henry Schein Cares Foundation, Inc. In addition to the cash awards, each medalist receives $10,000 worth of product from Henry Schein, Inc.
“Community Dental Care’s commitment to serving the oral health needs of some of Minnesota’s most underserved communities has made an immeasurable difference in the overall health and quality of life of its patients,” Mr. Bergman said. “The dedicated staff members of Community Dental Care and its fellow medalists, Interfaith Dental Clinic of Nashville and Gaston Family Health Services, share our company’s belief that everyone deserves access to quality care, and we thank them for their tireless efforts.”
First incorporated as a nonprofit in 2004, Community Dental Care provides dental services to more than 46,000 people every year and is made up of four clinics, with a fifth scheduled to open in August.
“We are honored to receive the Henry Schein Cares gold medal, and we thank Henry Schein for recognizing the important role that organizations like ours and those of our fellow medalists play in delivering care to people in need,” said Dr. Vacharee Peterson, Chief Executive Officer of Community Dental Care. “There is a critical need among at-risk and underserved communities for quality oral health care, and this award only serves to strengthen our commitment to our patients. We thank Henry Schein and the Henry Schein Cares Foundation for their generous support.”
Henry Schein’s commitment to serving society has been a cornerstone of its corporate philosophy since its founding in 1932. Through the Henry Schein Cares global corporate social responsibility program, the company uses its resources to support health care professionals around the world who provide care for those who would otherwise receive little or no medical attention. The Henry Schein Cares Medal honors the people and organizations whose work has been especially effective in bringing care to people and animals in need. Earlier this year, Volunteers in Medicine Berkshires received the gold medal in the Medical category and Guiding Eyes for the Blind won gold in the Animal Health category.
To be considered a candidate for this award, applicants must be a nonprofit organization or trust that is tax-exempt under IRS Section 501(c)(3) and that is a public charity (not a private foundation). The applicant should demonstrate that the program has expanded access to health care for the underserved in a novel and innovative way that is measurable and quantifiable. Emphasis is placed on expanding access to health care for children (birth to age 18), although all efforts to expand access to care will be considered, including those involving animal health. Programs also should involve an established multi-disciplinary team that demonstrates the expertise needed for a comprehensive solution to expand access to care. Lastly, programs should demonstrate potential for replication and large-scale impact, and should include a business plan or demonstration of financial sustainability.
For more information on the Henry Schein Cares Medal, please visit http://www.hscaresfoundation.org/HSC-Medal.asp.
About Henry Schein Cares
Henry Schein Cares stands on four pillars: engaging Team Schein Members to reach their potential, ensuring accountability by extending ethical business practices to all levels within Henry Schein, promoting environmental sustainability, and expanding access to health care for underserved and at-risk communities around the world. Health care activities supported by Henry Schein Cares focus on three main areas: advancing wellness, building capacity in the delivery of health care services, and assisting in emergency preparedness and relief.
Firmly rooted in a deep commitment to social responsibility and the concept of enlightened self-interest championed by Benjamin Franklin, the philosophy behind Henry Schein Cares is a vision of “doing well by doing good.” Through the work of Henry Schein Cares to enhance access to care for those in need, the Company believes that it is furthering its long-term success. “Helping Health Happen Blog” is a platform for health care professionals to share their volunteer experiences delivering assistance to those in need globally. To read more about how Henry Schein Cares is making a difference, please visit our blog: www.helpinghealthhappen.org.
