Organisation recognised at company’s national dental sales meeting for excellence in expanding access to oral healthcare for Phoenix residents in need
Henry Schein, Inc. announced that it has awarded the inaugural Henry Schein Cares Medal for oral health – an award that will be given annually to one organisation that demonstrates excellence in expanding access to oral healthcare for people in need – to the Diocesan Council for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP). Mr. Stanley M. Bergman, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Henry Schein, Inc., presented the Phoenix-based organisation with the medal at the company’s national dental sales meeting in Dallas.
“For the past 84 years, our company has been guided by the idea that corporate success and social responsibility are two sides of the same coin, and we created the Henry Schein Cares Medal to recognise those organisations whose commitment to helping people in need so closely mirrors our own,” said Mr. Bergman. “We are pleased to award the inaugural Henry Schein Cares Medal for oral health to the Diocesan Council for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in recognition of their steadfast commitment to expanding access to dental care for community members in need.”
Henry Schein works to serve society through the Henry Schein Cares global corporate social responsibility programme. The company uses its resources to support healthcare professionals around the world who provide care for those who would otherwise have little or no access to it. The Henry Schein Cares Medal honours organisations whose work has been especially effective in bringing care to those in need.
“Our dental clinic is a key piece of our mission to feed, clothe, house and heal people and families in the Phoenix community who have nowhere else to turn for help, and we are honoured to be recognised for our efforts with the Henry Schein Cares Medal,” said Dr. Ken Snyder, SVDP’s Dental Director. “This award is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the dental volunteers who donate their time and talent to preserving smiles and ensuring that children and adults understand the link between oral health and their overall health.”
SVDP was selected by an independent panel of judges from a field of three finalists, which also included Apple Tree Dental of Coon Rapids, Minnesota, and the San Diego Dental Health Foundation. As the medallist, SVDP will receive $15,000 in cash from the Henry Schein Cares Foundation, Inc. to support its work. In addition, each finalist will receive $10,000 worth of product from Henry Schein, Inc.
The Henry Schein Cares Medal in the medical health category was awarded in March to Hands Up for Haiti, of Mount Kisco, New York, USA. Also recognised as finalists were The Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, of Alhambra, California; and Smile Rescue Fund for Kids, Inc., of Setauket, New York. The medal in the animal health category was awarded in April to the Portland Animal Welfare Team, of Portland, Oregon. Also recognised as finalists were the Humane Society for Seattle – King County, of Bellevue, Washington; and Helping Paws, of Escondido, California.
The application period for the 2017 Henry Schein Cares Medal will be announced this summer. To be considered a candidate, applicants must be a non-profit organisation 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 programme has expanded access to healthcare for the underserved in a novel and innovative way that is measurable and quantifiable. Emphasis will be placed on expanding access to healthcare 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 multidisciplinary team that demonstrates the expertise needed for a comprehensive solution to expand access to care. Lastly, programmes should demonstrate potential for replication and large-scale impact, and should include a business plan or demonstration of financial sustainability.
