Henry Schein, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSIC), the world's largest provider of health care products and services to office-based dental, animal health and medical practitioners, recently joined MedShare in Atlanta to announce that it is the first corporate sponsor of MedShare's newly created Disaster Relief Fund. The Fund will provide MedShare with the funding needed to send shipments of supplies to disaster-affected areas immediately, instead of waiting to raise funds in the wake of a specific disaster.
MedShare is a humanitarian aid organization dedicated to improving health care and the environment through the recovery and redistribution of surplus medical supplies and equipment to health care facilities in the developing world. Charles Redding, Chief Executive Officer and President of MedShare, announced the creation of the Disaster Relief Fund and Henry Schein's $25,000 donation at a ceremony commemorating the 10-year partnership between the two organizations to expand access to care globally.
The Company's donation supports the warehousing, packing, and shipping of MedShare's future shipment of medical supplies and biomedical equipment devoted to the next disaster. This shipment will remain on standby, ready to be deployed immediately in response to a future disaster or pandemic event.
"At MedShare, we are uniquely positioned to support health care providers in the immediate aftermath of a natural disaster and to partner with in-country hospitals and clinics during times of crisis," Mr. Redding said. "With the Disaster Relief Fund, we will be able to proactively respond with disaster relief instead of waiting until sufficient funds have been raised, allowing us to provide support far more rapidly. We thank Henry Schein for being the Fund's first corporate supporter, and we look forward to continuing our long-standing partnership with the Company for many years to come."
Henry Schein's sponsorship of the Disaster Relief Fund is an example of the Company's commitment to the planning, coordination, and shipping of vital health care supplies in response to disasters around the world. Together with non-government organizations, Henry Schein donates medical and dental supplies to disaster-affected areas, monitors a disaster-relief hotline 24 hours a day, and establishes relief funds.
"The quick actions of first responders can mean the difference between life and death in the wake of a natural disaster or during a pandemic event, and this new Disaster Relief Fund will allow MedShare to more rapidly provide medical supplies and equipment to care providers working in disaster-affected areas," said Stanley M. Bergman, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Henry Schein. "We at Henry Schein are pleased to be the Fund's first corporate donor, and we encourage our fellow corporate citizens to consider the impact a donation to MedShare's Disaster Relief Fund will have on relief efforts throughout the world."
Since its first donation to MedShare in 2006, Henry Schein has provided more than 437,000 pounds of medical supplies worth approximately $13.4 million to support the organization's work with more than 500 health agencies in 82 countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guatemala,Haiti, Kenya, Nicaragua, Nigeria, and Tanzania. Each donation is an initiative of Henry Schein Cares, the Company's global corporate social responsibility program.
About MedShare
Founded in Atlanta in 1998, MedShare is a humanitarian aid organization that sources essential, unused medical supplies and equipment and delivers these supplies directly to underserved populations worldwide, while protecting the environment. With offices in Atlanta, New York and San Francisco metropolitan areas, MedShare works to improve the quality of life of people, communities and the planet. For more information, visitwww.medshare.org.
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.
About Henry Schein, Inc.
Henry Schein, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSIC) is the world's largest provider of health care products and services to office-based dental, animal health and medical practitioners. The Company also serves dental laboratories, government and institutional health care clinics, and other alternate care sites. A Fortune 500® Company and a member of the S&P 500® and the Nasdaq 100® indexes, Henry Schein employs nearly 19,000 Team Schein Members and serves more than one million customers.
