MELVILLE, N.Y., Oct. 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- 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, announced today that, together with supplier partners, it will donate more than $1 million in personal protective equipment (PPE) to help prevent the spread of Ebola.
The Company is working closely with the CDC Foundation and with partner relief organizations including AmeriCares, Direct Relief, International Medical Corps and MedShare to continually monitor and assess the need for medical supplies to combat the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, which is the largest, most severe and complex epidemic in the region's history. The virus has already claimed nearly 4,000 lives out of more than 8,400 cases, leading the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare the outbreak a "public health emergency of international concern."
Henry Schein's donations will include more than $1 million in masks, gloves and gowns, along with hand sanitizer, coveralls and other PPE. The CDC Foundation will receive $500,000 of this product, with the remainder donated to Henry Schein's strategic NGO (Non-Government Organization) partners providing relief, including AmeriCares, Direct Relief, International Medical Corps and Medshare. Henry Schein's response to the Ebola outbreak includes support from its supplier partners, including Crosstex International, Inc., KaVo Kerr Group, Medicom LLC and PDI Healthcare.
"The countries affected by Ebola are facing an escalating health crisis, and Henry Schein is committed to supporting relief efforts to help contain the virus," said Stanley M. Bergman, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Henry Schein. "It is critical that health care workers receive the protective equipment they need to safely continue the heroic work of saving lives. Through public-private partnerships involving our supplier network and relief organizations, we will work to provide these essential supplies in the fight against this deadly epidemic."
The emergency response to the Ebola outbreak reflects a core aspect of Henry Schein Cares. To help accelerate the response to emergencies around the world, Henry Schein Cares routinely ships product to international relief organizations to ensure their warehouses are stocked when disaster strikes.
In addition to the donations of health care products to the Ebola outbreak relief efforts, the Henry Schein Cares Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization that supports and promotes increased access to care globally, has also established an Ebola Relief Fund. The money raised by the Foundation will be donated to the organizations providing relief.
Team Schein Members and others who are interested in supporting the relief efforts can contribute to the Fund. Donations from Team Schein Members to the Fund will be matched by Henry Schein, with all proceeds applied directly and completely to Ebola relief efforts through the CDC Foundation and other relief organizations. While the Fund remains open, individuals or companies wishing to contribute can make a financial or product donation. Credit card donations can be made through the Henry Schein Cares Foundation website, https://www.hscaresfoundation.org/ (click the "donate button" to be directed to an online credit card processing page, and select "Ebola Relief Fund" for the gift designation). Checks will also be accepted and should be made payable to "Henry Schein Cares Foundation," with "Ebola Relief Fund" noted in the memo of the check, and sent to Ashley Lenz at Henry Schein, Inc., 135 Duryea Road, Melville, N.Y., 11747. Donations to the Henry Schein Cares Foundation are tax deductible in the United States.
About Henry Schein Cares and the Henry Schein Cares Foundation
Henry Schein Cares, Henry Schein's global corporate social responsibility program, 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.
Established in 2008, Henry Schein Cares Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization, works to foster, support, and promote dental, medical, and animal health by helping to increase access to care for communities around the world.
The Henry Schein Cares Foundation carries out its mission through financial and health care product donations that support health care professionals and community-based programs focused on prevention, wellness, and treatment; disaster preparedness and relief; and capacity building of health institutions that provide training and care. To learn more about the Henry Schein Cares Foundation, please visit: www.hscaresfoundation.org. The "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 their blog: https://helpinghealthhappen.org/
About Henry Schein, Inc.
Henry Schein, Inc. 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 NASDAQ 100® Index, Henry Schein employs more than 17,000 Team Schein Members and serves more than 800,000 customers.
The Company offers a comprehensive selection of products and services, including value-added solutions for operating efficient practices and delivering high-quality care. Henry Schein operates through a centralized and automated distribution network, with a selection of more than 96,000 branded products and Henry Schein private-brand products in stock, as well as more than 110,000 additional products available as special-order items. The Company also offers its customers exclusive, innovative technology solutions, including practice management software and e-commerce solutions, as well as a broad range of financial services.
Headquartered in Melville, N.Y., Henry Schein has operations or affiliates in 27 countries. The Company's sales reached a record $9.6 billion in 2013, and have grown at a compound annual rate of approximately 16 percent since Henry Schein became a public company in 1995. For more information, visit the Henry Schein website at www.henryschein.com.
