Henry Schein Inc, Melville, NY, is accepting applications for the second annual Henry Schein Cares Medal, which is awarded to organizations from the fields of oral health, animal health, and medicine that demonstrate excellence in expanding access to care for the underserved.

Through the Henry Schein Cares global corporate social responsibility program, the company uses its resources to support health care professionals around the world who provide care for those who would otherwise receive little or no medical attention. The medal will honor organizations whose work has been especially effective in bringing care to those in need.

“For 84 years, our company has been guided by the philosophy of ‘doing well by doing good,'” said Stanley M. Bergman, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Henry Schein. “Since our founding, our efforts to expand access to care to the underserved have been enhanced by the selfless health care practitioners who so generously give of themselves so that others may have better lives. We created the Henry Schein Cares Medal to recognize the contributions of health care professionals to the health of society and to encourage others to follow their example.”

Three finalists will be selected among applicants from each of three fields: oral health, animal health, and medicine. In each category, a gold, silver, and bronze medalist will be chosen. Each medalist will receive a cash award, in the following amounts: $15,000 for gold, $10,000 for silver, and $5,000 for bronze, through the support of the Henry Schein Cares Foundation Inc. In addition to the cash awards, each finalist will receive $10,000 worth of product from Henry Schein Inc.

A panel of expert judges from the fields of medicine, philanthropy, social entrepreneurship, and business will evaluate the applications and select the finalists and medalists.

To be considered a candidate for this award, applicants must be a nonprofit organization or trust that is tax-exempt under IRS Section 501(c)(3) and that is a public charity (not a private foundation). The applicant should demonstrate that the program has expanded access to health care for the underserved in a novel and innovative way that is measurable and quantifiable. For the oral health and medical categories, emphasis will be placed on expanding access to health care for children (birth to age 18), although all efforts to expand access to care will be considered. Programs also should involve an established multidisciplinary team that demonstrates the expertise needed for a comprehensive solution to expand access to care; demonstrate potential for replication and large-scale impact; and include a business plan or demonstration of financial sustainability.

Applications are now being accepted and must be submitted by midnight Eastern time on October 5, 2016. Finalists will be announced in January 2017, and the medals will be awarded at the relevant national sales meeting in 2017 of Henry Schein’s dental, animal health, and medical divisions.

Winners and finalists in the oral health category of the inaugural Henry Schein Cares Medal were announced earlier this year. The Diocesan Council for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (Phoenix) received the gold medal, while Apple Tree Dental (Coon Rapids, Minn) and the San Diego Dental Health Foundation rounded out the winners.