OT: CVS Caremark Charitable Trust supports Speech-Language and Hearing Center

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CVS presents $25,000 to the University.

Misericordia University (301 Lake Street Sallas PA 18612 570 674 6400) announced

Friday, March 26 that it has received a $25,000 grant from the CVS Caremark

Charitable Trust, the private foundation created by CVS Caremark Corporation.

The funding will be used by the Misericordia University Speech-Language

Pathology program to expand the free or low-cost clinics its students and

faculty provide in the Speech-Language and Hearing Center in the new College of

Health Sciences building. The center opened in 2004 and has served 1,285

children with communication disorders who were referred from regional school

districts, intermediate units, hospitals and physician practices. The

predominant population served by the clinic is children with multiple types of

developmental speech and language disorders, including autism, Down

syndrome,apraxia of speech, voice disorders, articulation disorders, language

disorders, swallowing disorders, and stuttering. The center's therapists also

see clients who use hearing aids and cochlear implants.

" CVS Caremark's gift to Misericordia for our College of Health Sciences

represents one more example of the company's continued interest and sponsorship

of local colleges and universities, said A. MacDowell, president of

Misericordia University. " We are delighted that CVS Caremark has chosen to

support our new College of Health Sciences building because educating ever

better health care professionals for our region is a shared goal among the

company and university.

" In today's challenging economy, it's more important than ever to support

organizations that can have a positive impact on children with disabilities,said

Eileen Dunn, Vice President, CVS Caremark Charitable Trust. " We're proud

to support Misericordia University and the wonderful services provided by their

Speech-Language and Hearing Center, and we wish them continued success in

2010.

The CVS Caremark Charitable Trust's grant to Misericordia University is part of

$6.3 million in grants given to nonprofit organizations across the country in

2009. A number of these grants align with CVS Caremark All Kids Can, the

company's signature philanthropic program focused on supporting children with

disabilities by raising awareness about inclusion, creating greater

opportunities for physical activity and play, and providing access to medical

rehabilitation and related services.

Other CVS Caremark Charitable Trust grants provide support for medical services

for the uninsured, grants to pharmacy schools, scholarships for the children of

CVS Caremark colleagues and funding for community organizations for which CVS

Caremark colleagues act as volunteers.

Overall, Misericordia's Speech-Language and Hearing Center offers an innovative

approach to therapeutic intervention that combines professional expertise with

advanced technology to effectively assess and treat children, adolescents,

adults and the elderly with speech and language impairments. Hearing screenings

and audiological rehabilitation services are also available. Appointments are

offered to clients who may not be able to afford or obtain services elsewhere.

The center has served 1,536 clients overall from all populations. Undergraduate

and graduate student clinicians working toward their master's degree in

speech-language pathology evaluate and treat clients under the direct

supervision of faculty specialists and clinical staff certified by the American

Speech-Language-Hearing Association and licensed by the Commonwealth of

Pennsylvania.

Clinical services are also available for adults who need treatment for

strokes,traumatic brain injuries, swallowing disorders and other related

conditions,including stuttering/fluency disorders, voice disorders, and learning

disabilities. The clinic also provides help in the use of electronic

communication devices and with accent reduction for individuals learning a

second language.

For more information about the Misericordia University Speech-Language Pathology

program or the Speech-Language and Hearing Center, please log on to

www.misericordia.edu/slp or call (570) 674-6724.

The CVS Caremark Charitable Trust, Inc. is a private foundation created by CVS

Caremark Corporation (NYSE: CVS), the largest pharmacy health care provider in

the United States and the market leader in mail order pharmacy, retail pharmacy,

specialty pharmacy, and retail clinics. The mission of the CVS Caremark

Charitable Trust is to provide funding for programs serving children with

disabilities as well as nonprofits that provide health care services to the

uninsured and medically at-risk populations. Learn more about the CVS Caremark

Charitable Trust annual call for applications at www.cvs.com/community. General

information about CVS Caremark is available through the Company's Web site at

http://info.cvscaremark.com.

Caption:

CVS Caremark Charitable Trust recently awarded a $25,000 grant to Misericordia

University. Participating in the ceremonial check presentation at Misericordia,

first row from left, are Judith Ellis, manager of corporate, government and

foundation relations, Misericordia University; Amy Suda-Ruskey, HR analyst, CVS

Caremark; Glen Tellis, Ph.D., chair, Speech-Language Pathology Department; Jean

Dyer, Ph.D., dean, College of Health Sciences; Rose Lang, R.Ph., vice president,

general manager, CVS Caremark; A. MacDowell, president, Misericordia

University; A. Hertel, S.P.H.R., manager, human resources, CVS Caremark;

second row, Bullock, grants and gift research manager, Misericordia

University; and Steve Uhl, director of operations, CVS Caremark.

http://www.misericordia.edu/news/news_full.cfm?news_id=53110

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