Community is ‘built into fabric’ at Henry Schein 

MELVILLE, N.Y. – Dedicating relief to those impacted by California’s recent wildfires through the Henry Schein Cares Foundation was an obvious move for Henry Schein, where community is part of the culture, says Kyle Guerin, director, corporate social responsibility. 

“It started 90 years ago with Henry and Esther Schein and over time was built into the fabric of our organization,” he said. “(It’s) the idea of doing well by doing good and as a health care solutions company, we’re trying to make people healthier and that means healthier communities, so we feel a responsibility to give back in the areas we work in.” 

In January, Henry Schein and the Henry Schein Cares Foundation announced initial donations of $25,000 each to support relief efforts, with the company matching employee contributions up to another $50,000, for a cash total of up to $150,000. 

Henry Schein also donated essential health care supplies to its partner relief organizations operating on the ground. In fact, the company already had an event planned to pack hygiene kits to give to the Ronald McDonald House when the wildfires broke out but quickly pivoted, says Guerin. 

“We were able to deliver those kits to serve those victims of the fire,” he said. 

(The company also made its donation to the Ronald McDonald House.) 

Initially, with employees who live and work in the area, as well as medical and dental customers there, the first priority was checking in with everyone, says Tim Hanahan, general manager, west area sales. 

“Once everyone is safe and accounted for, we work through different protocols according to different levels of destruction and different levels of need,” he said. “Then the next step is, how are the customers; how is the community?” 

Unfortunately, there were Henry Schein customers who not only lost their homes but also their practices, says Hanahan. 

“We’re offering a variety of (financial) programs to help them get back on their feet,” he said. “Yes, we’re going to help our customers. Yes, we’re going to help everybody that is engaged and helping the community. We’re donating dollars and working with people that have boots on the street.” 

With the wildfires in California only one of many disasters across the country and the globe, there’s always a need for help, says Hanahan. 

“There are people in need somewhere in the world,” he said. “It could be Africa, it could be South America or it could the United States. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of things going on.”