Henry Schein, Al-Quds University And Hebrew University-Hadassah Schools Of Dental Medicine Celebrate The Unveiling Of The Tree Of Peace And Dedication Of The Dr. Musa Bajali Henry Schein Cares Education Center

MELVILLE, N.Y., Aug. 7, 2013 /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, recently joined with leaders from Al-Quds University and Hebrew University-Hadassah Schools of Dental Medicine and other dental leaders from around the world to unveil a Tree of Peace statue at Al-Quds University School of Dentistry, celebrate the dedication of the Dr. Musa Bajali Henry Schein Cares Education Center and mark the 60th anniversary of Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Dental Medicine.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130807/NY60620 )

Tree of Peace
The Tree of Peace, which is a sculpture by the noted artist Hedva Ser, marks the close collaboration of the dentals schools of Al-Quds University and Hebrew University and the desire to use the oral health profession as a vehicle for building relationships and understanding throughout the region and the world.

"Today we affirm our commitment to rise above any political or cultural differences to create a new level of partnership and international collaboration through our shared dedication to improving oral health around the world," said Mr. Bergman during the unveiling ceremony for the Tree of Peace.  "Bridging the chasms that separate people may seem impossible, but it is not.  One day we will look back together and see that the 'impossible' has been done."

Dr. Musa Bajali Henry Schein Cares Education Center
Henry Schein is proud to partner with Dr. Musa Bajali, Dean of Al-Quds University School of Dental Medicine, in the creation of the Dr. Musa Bajali Henry Schein Cares Education Center.

"It is truly an honor to celebrate the dedication of the Dr. Musa Bajali Henry Schein Cares Education Center," said Dr. Bajali.  "Our new Center will provide health professionals from across the region with the opportunity to present state-of-the-art educational research and clinical programs to their colleagues in a beautiful environment that promotes dialogue and learning."

The Dr. Musa Bajali Henry Schein Cares Education Center at Al-Quds University is part of the Bridge to Peace program, which began in 1997 with the founding of the D. Walter Cohen Middle East Center for Dental Education at Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Dental Medicine. 

"The establishment of the Dr. Musa Bajali Henry Schein Cares Education Center at Al-Quds University will make an important contribution to oral health professionals across the region and the world and is an important step forward for the Bridge to Peace program," said Dr. Sari Nusseibeh, President of Al-Quds University.  "Today we celebrate the realization of a dream that many of us have shared – a true universal symbol of the special relationship between Al-Quds University and Hebrew University."

The Tree of Peace statue unveiled at Al-Quds University followed the first Tree of Peace, which was unveiled at Hebrew University in 2007.  There are also Trees of Peace at A.T. Still University Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health and at Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry.

Bridge to Peace
"It is particularly special to be celebrating the Bridge to Peace and the deep and enduring friendship between Al-Quds University and Hebrew University as our School of Dental Medicine celebrates its 60th anniversary this year," said Professor Menahem Ben-Sasson, President of Hebrew University.  "We are grateful to Henry Schein for the Company's long-term support and partnership in advancing oral health education and delivery throughout the Middle East."

Bridge to Peace was founded as a joint initiative by Dr. Bajali and Dr. Adam Stabholz, Dean, Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Dental Medicine, and supported by Henry Schein Cares.  It facilitates opportunities for dental professionals, educators, and students to reach beyond political or religious divides and uses oral health as a means to improve the quality of life for people of all nationalities. 

"Every bridge needs two strong anchors, and the dedication of the Dr. Musa Bajali Henry Schein Cares Education Center, following the opening of our D. Walter Cohen Middle East Center for Dental Education, ensures that the Bridge to Peace program has a firm foundation on 'both sides of the bridge' and steady support for many years to come," said Dr. Stabholz.

Alliance for Oral Health Across Borders
Two years ago, Bridge to Peace became the cornerstone of an expanded initiative involving dental schools internationally called the Alliance for Oral Health Across Borders that expands this work globally through the promotion of peace, relationship building and understanding through oral health as part of total health.  Henry Schein Cares is a founding sponsor and ongoing supporter of the Alliance for Oral Health Across Borders as well as the Bridge to Peace. The Alliance is headed by Dr. Amid Ismail, the Dean of the Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry and a native of Iraq.

"Our Alliance is unique in the dental community because its focus is on the peace and health of nations," said Dr. Amid I. Ismail, Dean of the Kornberg School of Dentistry at Temple University and Chair of the Alliance for Oral Health Across Borders, at the unveiling ceremony for the Tree of Peace.  "The foundation for peace is understanding, respect and most importantly, tolerance and justice among individuals and communities.  This Tree symbolizes peace and freedom, which we aspire to achieve in this land and all over the world."

In addition to the Alliance for Oral Health Across Borders and Henry Schein Cares, the Tree of Peace is also supported by Dr. Allen Finkelstein, CEO, Bedford Healthcare Solutions and the Dr. Edward B. Shils Foundation.

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 16,000 Team Schein Members and serves more than 775,000 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 24 countries.  The Company's sales reached a record $8.9 billion in 2012, and have grown at a compound annual rate of 17% since Henry Schein became a public company in 1995.  For more information, visit the Henry Schein Web site at www.henryschein.com.

SOURCE Henry Schein, Inc.