Released on: October 23, 2008, 8:22 am

Press Release Author: Brian Van Norman

Industry: Non Profit

Press Release Summary: The John Rex Endowment honored Dr. Jean C. Smith and Dr.
Jerry Bernstein with its 2008 Hands of Health Award. The award is given to
individuals who implement innovative health-related initiatives that benefit Wake
County's underserved children and youth.

Press Release Body: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RALEIGH, N.C. (October 23, 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.

About the John Rex Endowment:
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 John Rex 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. Since 2001, the John Rex Endowment has made a financial
commitment of nearly $20 million to 87 individual projects. For more information,
visit: www.rexendowment.org.

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Web Site: http://www.rexendowment.org/

Contact Details: Media Contact:
Brian Van Norman
919.232.5008
Brian@articulon.com