Melville Company Helps Tsunami Victims

The ability to see a doctor or dentist is often taken for granted, until disaster strikes.

When a mega earthquake and tsunami shook Japan this March, victims were left with few options for medical care. Henry Schein, in Melville, however is doing something about it by helping provide medical, dental and even veterinarian services to victims of natural disasters.

The “Fortune 500” medical supplies provider has contributed more than $375,000 in financial and medical donations to those in need around the world through its not-for-profit organization,

The foundation has helped to provide care to victims of the flood in Australia, earthquake in New Zealand and tornadoes in the United States. The Henry Schein Tornadoes Relief Fund, first established in response to the tornadoes that ripped through six states in the South in April. That fund remains open to provide continued support to other regions of the United States subsequently struck by tornadoes.

The organization works to foster, support and promote dental, medical, and animal health by helping to increase access to care for communities around the world. Financial donations were also made through other non-governmental organizations such as the American Red Cross and the ASPCA.

"We are very pleased to offer this disaster relief support as part of our strong commitment to helping dental, medical, and animal health practitioners provide care to patients in need around the world," Stanley Bergman, chairman and chief executive officer of Henry Schein. “For more than a decade, Henry Schein has been proud to support disaster relief efforts as part of our global mission to increase access to care for under-served and at-risk populations."

Because tornadoes, hurricanes, and other devastating storms typically strike many regions of the United States throughout the summer months, the fund will remain open to provide aid for victims of these natural disasters.