Henry Schein Joins Dental Industry Leaders From Around The World To Unveil Tree Of Peace Statue At Harvard School Of Dental Medicine

MELVILLE, N.Y., June 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Stanley M. Bergman, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of 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, joined dental industry and education leaders from around the world for the installation of a Tree of Peace statue at Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) on June 16. The Tree of Peace, a sculpture created by noted UNESCO Artist of Peace Hedva Ser, symbolizes the power of dentistry to bridge cultural and political divides, using the oral health profession as a vehicle for building relationships and understanding throughout the world. 

The Tree of Peace program was developed by Dr. Allen Finkelstein, Chief Executive Officer of Bedford HealthCare Solutions, and is supported by the Dr. Edward B. Shils Entrepreneurial Fund; Henry Schein Cares, Henry Schein's global corporate social responsibility program; and the Alliance for Oral Health Across Borders, which was founded by 41 dental schools in 2011 to promote peace and well-being through oral health by building bridges among dental and health professionals around the world, especially in areas of conflict. The Tree of Peace at HSDM was also supported by the Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity, the world's oldest international dental organization, representing about 5,000 active dentists and dental students worldwide.

The Tree of Peace at HSDM is the fifth to have been installed globally, with the others at the Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Dental Medicine; A.T. Still University Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health; Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry; and, most recently, Al-Quds University. The Tree of Peace at HSDM honors two long-time members of the Harvard School of Dental Medicine: Dr. Walter C. Guralnick, Professor Emeritus of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, and Dr. Bruce Donoff, Dean of Harvard School of Dental Medicine, for their service and commitment to using dentistry to promote peace and understanding.

"Drs. Guralnick and Donoff truly embody the spirit behind the Tree of Peace," said Mr. Bergman. "Through decades of dedication and commitment to the global dental community, they and the Harvard School of Dental Medicine have become a true champion for all that the Tree of Peace represents: the power of inter-professional relations, education, international relations, globalization, partnership and, most important, trust."

Dr. Donoff has served as Dean of the Harvard School of Dental Medicine since 1991. In that time, he has worked on many oral education and oral health initiatives and programs, including the Alliance for Oral Health Across Borders, the Dr. Edward B. Shils Entrepreneurial Fund, and the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) Geis Awards. These initiatives, among others in which Dr. Donoff has participated, have served to emphasize the value of leadership and cooperation in the dental community, highlighting dentistry's capacity to promote tolerance and compassion.     

Dr. Guralnick has served on the Harvard School of Dental Medicine faculty since 1950. Among his many contributions to dentistry, Dr. Guralnick established an oral surgeon residency exchange program between Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Harvard's primary teaching hospital, and numerous hospitals in the United Kingdom. This program provided residents culturally diverse educational and clinical experiences, extending the scope of their learning to include international perspectives and insights.  

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 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.

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SOURCE Henry Schein, Inc.