Heart to Heart International and Welch Allyn Inspire Medical Students to "Change the World" with Humanitarian Campaign
Two Ripple Effect contest winners will join both organizations on a humanitarian service trip to support people in crisis
Skaneateles Falls, NY, August 12, 2013—Medical students don't have to wait to finish medical school before they can make a difference in the lives of real people. Ripple Effect, a joint initiative created by Heart to Heart International and Welch Allyn, is a campaign designed to inspire medical students to "change the world" by using their training to help those in greatest need.
To bolster the awareness of the successful program, Welch Allyn is launching a contest from now until November 22, 2013, encouraging medical students to turn to social media to share how they will create their own "ripple effect" of good in their own community or around the world. By simply liking the Ripple Effect page on Facebook (www.facebook.com/WelchAllynRippleEffect) and sharing a picture or short video that showcases their "ripple effect", medical students will automatically be entered to win the opportunity to support a global humanitarian service trip alongside physicians and aid workers from Heart to Heart and volunteers from Welch Allyn.
Under Ripple Effect, Welch Allyn, a leading medical diagnostic device company that specializes in helping clinicians improve patient outcomes, provides up to $125 in credits to Heart to Heart International when students purchase select Welch Allyn diagnostic instruments.1 Heart to Heart, a nonprofit medical aid organization, uses the credits to acquire Welch Allyn devices that will assist with its ongoing aid distribution efforts around the world.
"Welch Allyn is proud to offer a way for medical students to start making a difference in people's lives long before their first residency," said David Allyn, director of corporate social responsibility at Welch Allyn. "By simply participating in the Ripple Effect Facebook contest two lucky med students will win a place on a humanitarian service trip to support people in crisis. Further, every Ripple Effect purchase students make will help us provide equipment that will improve care in places where it is needed most. It will be used on patients who may have never seen a doctor before. It may even save their lives."
Reliable medical instruments play a critical role in helping physicians make key assessments which inform diagnosis and effective care for their patients. When physicians are equipped with the proper medical instruments their ability to assess, diagnose, treat and manage a wide variety of illnesses and diseases, and care for more patients, increases. In many places, medical providers do not have access to even basic diagnostic equipment, limiting their ability to provide quality care to patients and communities.
"We're honored to work with Welch Allyn on the Ripple Effect program as it continues to have a profound effect in resource-poor communities around the world," said Krystal Barr, interim CEO, Heart to Heart International. "They may not realize it, but medical students are the ones who are really driving Heart to Heart's reach with this effort. By purchasing select Welch Allyn instruments2 they make it possible for Heart to Heart to create broader access to healthcare for individuals in the U.S. and around the globe."
Welch Allyn donations have enabled Heart to Heart to acquire more than $10 million worth of medical equipment from the company to help clinicians deliver vital patient care in the places that need it most. Welch Allyn has also contributed many hours of volunteer time in the U.S. and abroad.
About Welch Allyn
Welch Allyn is a leading global healthcare company that offers a complete range of digital and connected diagnostic solutions that help reduce risk and enhance workflow in a variety of clinical settings. Founded in 1915 and headquartered in Skaneateles Falls, N.Y. (USA), Welch Allyn is a family-owned business that employs nearly 2,500 employees in 26 different countries. The company specializes in helping doctors, nurses and other frontline practitioners across the globe enhance care by developing innovative products, breakthrough technologies and cutting-edge solutions that improve patient outcomes, safety and satisfaction. More information about Welch Allyn and its complete line of connected products and solutions may be found at www.welchallyn.com. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
About Heart to Heart International
Heart to Heart International is a non-profit humanitarian medical aid, training and disaster relief non-governmental organization (NGO) that is committed to connecting people and resources to a world in need. Since its founding in 1992, Heart to Heart International has delivered medical aid and supplies worth more than $1 billion to more than 150 countries, including the U.S. Heart to Heart responds to crises and natural disasters both domestically and internationally by supplying medical relief and mobilizing volunteers.
Heart to Heart International broadens access to healthcare by providing continuing medical education opportunities and lab standards training around the U.S. and the globe, and works with U.S. safety-net clinics to help increase its capacity by providing medical equipment, supplies and volunteers that are vital to operations. The organization has been named to Forbes magazine's prestigious list of "America's 200 Largest Charities" and is recognized as one of the top nonprofits in the categories of donor efficiency and charitable commitment. For more information on its programs and ways to get involved, visit www.hearttoheart.org and like Heart to Heart International on Facebook.