Henry Schein Announces The Unveiling And Dedication Of The Henry Schein Cares Graduate Programs Residency Clinic At Meharry Medical College School Of Dentistry

MELVILLE, N.Y., May 14, 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, in partnership with Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry, announced today the unveiling and dedication of the Henry Schein Cares Graduate Programs Residency Clinic.  The clinic, located at the College in Nashville, Tenn., will provide an invaluable opportunity for dental students to receive hands-on training using the latest technology while providing oral health services to underserved members of the Nashville community.  The clinic's dedication took place at a ribbon-cutting ceremony, held on May 9, and attended by Meharry faculty, alumni and students, Henry Schein leadership, as well as dental industry and public health policy leaders. 

Dr. Louis W. Sullivan, former Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services and chairman of the Sullivan Alliance to Transform the Health Professions, was the dedication event's keynote speaker. "Given the recognized connection between oral health and overall health and wellness, promoting oral health in communities everywhere is one of society's important public health goals.  With Meharry's commitment to serving a diverse student body and commitment to excellence, service, and cultural understanding, this new dental clinic will not only expand access to oral care for those in need, but will also enhance the training of exceptional dental professionals who will, no doubt, make important contributions to the future of dentistry."

Established jointly between Henry Schein Cares, Henry Schein's global corporate social responsibility program, and the Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry, the Henry Schein Cares Graduate Programs Residency Clinic will feature state-of-the-art digital dental equipment and technology, including imaging and CAD/CAM products.  

"Henry Schein is privileged and honored to partner with Meharry and contribute to the training of Meharry's future oral health care professionals by providing students the opportunity to work with the latest digital equipment and technology in this exciting new facility while supporting their service to the surrounding community," said Stanley M. Bergman, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Henry Schein.  "Strengthening educational platforms, enhancing access to care for the underserved, and advancing diversity and cultural competency in the health professions are central to Henry Schein's commitment to 'helping health happen.'  We are proud to partner with Meharry, an organization with a long history of providing an exceptional education to diverse leadership in the dental field."

The Henry Schein Cares Graduate Programs Residency Clinic will serve to expand upon Meharry Medical College's broader goals as an academic health center.  These goals include a commitment to diversifying the American health professions leadership; implementing effective and innovative educational and training programs; developing enlightened health policy and culturally-sensitive, evidence-based health services; and using focused research to eliminate health disparities.  Annually, Meharry provides medical and dental care valued at $26 million to the local Nashville community at no cost to the patient. 

"Meharry's partnership with Henry Schein and the unveiling of the Henry Schein Cares Graduate Programs Residency Clinic furthers our ability to provide our students with an invaluable, hands-on, training experience using the latest technology, while at the same time, providing an opportunity for students to give back to our community," said Dr. Cherae M. Farmer Dixon, Dean and Professor of the Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry." 

Henry Schein has been instrumental in advancing diversity and cultural competency in dental health care for nearly two decades.  In 1995, the Company created the Leadership Training and Speaker Development program for the National Dental Association (NDA).  In addition, Henry Schein is a founding co-sponsor of the American Dental Association (ADA) Diversity Leadership Program, sponsored the first Dental Diversity in Leadership Conference in New York in 2001, and created Henry Schein REACH, a national outreach program to help facilitate the growth of culturally-specific professional organizations. 

"Expanding opportunities for dentists of color through collaborative educational initiatives and furthering service in minority communities is one of the founding objectives of our organization," said Mr. Robert S. Johns, Executive Director of the National Dental Association.  "Therefore, we wholeheartedly support educational opportunities like Meharry's new residency clinic, which will foster community oral health and perpetuate the tradition of raising the profile of African-American dental professionals." 

The National Dental Association promotes oral health equity among people of color by harnessing the collective power of its members, advocating for the needs of and mentoring dental students of color, and raising the profile of the profession in our communities.   

About Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry

Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry's mission is to identify, mentor, train and educate a diverse group of the next generation of dental practitioners, faculty and researchers, placing special emphasis on African Americans and other people of color from disadvantaged backgrounds, who will lead our communities nationally and internationally in the advancement of oral health care.

We remain at the forefront in this quest for quality and meaningful health care delivery to all persons, regardless of race, creed, national origin, gender, and other circumstances of personal identity.  By selecting a diverse body of students who individually demonstrate a commitment to service, possess cultural understanding, indicate the ability to successfully complete the rigorous curriculum, conduct research, and serve underserved populations in the Meharry tradition, the School of Dentistry plays a vital role in meeting the oral health care needs of everyone.

Our graduates have received international recognition for their achievements, performance, and service, blazing trails with innovative ideas and compassionate hearts.  Many of our alumni focus specifically on providing care for the underserved.  Others serve in the military, private practice, and as faculty members of dental schools throughout the country.  All carry with them Meharry's mission and legacy, acknowledging the blessings of the past and taking the progress of the present to make an expansive impact in the future.

About Henry Schein Cares
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.

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 nearly 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 26 countries.  The Company's sales reached a record $9.6 billion in 2013, and have grown at a compound annual rate of approximately 16% since Henry Schein became a public company in 1995.  For more information, visit the Henry Schein website at www.henryschein.com.

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SOURCE Henry Schein, Inc.