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John Rex Endowment Honors Two Raleigh Physicians for Work with Children

RALEIGH, N.C. (October 21, 2008) - The John Rex Endowment (www.rexendowment.org), a nonprofit organization that invests in activities and organizations that improve the health of underserved people, announced today that Dr. Jean C. Smith and Dr. Jerry Bernstein were the recipients of the 2008 Hands of Health Award. The award was presented to them for implementing innovative health-related initiatives that benefit Wake County's underserved children and youth.

Smith and Bernstein were presented a specially commissioned bronze sculpture during the fifth annual Hands of Health Award breakfast held Oct. 21 at Marbles Kids Museum. In addition, the John Rex Endowment contributes $10,000 to each recipient's charity of choice.

"Jean and Jerry have dedicated their careers to advancing the health of children in the area," said Kevin Cain, president and CEO of the John Rex Endowment. "We were proud to recognize them for their efforts."

Smith, a physician with Wake County Human Services, was recognized for her dedication to promoting the healthy physical and mental development of children. She has led the Children's Health and Development Program that provides comprehensive health services for abused and neglected children, and the Pediatric Development Surveillance Program that trains doctors to perform developmental screenings, among others programs.

Bernstein, co-founder of Raleigh Pediatric Associates, was honored for his vision in improving and raising the standard of pediatric health care for all Wake County children. He was a driving force in the establishment of the WakeMed Children's Emergency Department and the soon-to-open WakeMed Children's Hospital. Bernstein also helped establish a local pediatric physician training program.

To be eligible, nominees had to be paid staff or volunteers who live or work in Wake County and have found new and innovative ways to address the health care needs of underserved children or youth in Wake County.

Past winners of the award include Peter Morris, MD, Don Rosenblitt, MD, Mark Piehl, MD, Yo Sobha, Kathy Higgins and Liliana Berman. On their behalf, the Endowment has made donations to the North Carolina Pediatric Society Foundation, the Lucy Daniels Center for Early Childhood, the Durham Rescue Mission/Good Samaritan Inn, Camp Challenge Diabetes Camp at Camp Oak Hill, Camp Grace at A.E. Finley YMCA, Be Active North Carolina and the Making Magic Alliance.

For more information on the Hands of Health Award, visit www.rexendowment.org/about/hoh.html.

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The John Rex Endowment invests in the development and support of activities, programs and organizations that improve the health of underserved people in Wake and surrounding counties. Currently, the Endowment supports visible and measurable improvements in the health of children and youth by improving access to health services, by promoting healthy behaviors and by providing opportunities for growth and development. To learn more please visit www.rexendowment.org.