Press Releases

Company to Donate $10,000 to University of Louisiana Monroe College of Pharmacy in Honor of Valee’s Outstanding Commitment to Community Involvement

DENVER, July 26, 2010 — At its annual Retail Business Conference in Denver, Cardinal Health named Jim Vallee, owner of C&C Drugs of Mandeville, La., as the recipient of its annual Ken Wurster Community Leadership Award.

The award, which recognizes an independent pharmacist for outstanding contributions to his or her community, was created in honor of Tampa, Fla., independent pharmacist Ken Wurster, who passed away in 2008. Wurster was highly regarded for his commitment to serving his customers, epitomizing the role of pharmacist who took responsibility for the wellness of his community.

Community pharmacists and Cardinal Health employees were encouraged to submit nominations for this award, and all nominees were judged on a variety of criteria, including:

• community leadership and involvement;
• their ability to inspire others; and
• their willingness to go above and beyond the day-to-day operations of a retail independent pharmacy to make sure the customer comes first.

While managing two stores, Vallee also participates in numerous community service organizations with activities including providing shelter to the homeless, helping children in developing countries, serving those affected by natural disasters and providing medication counseling and assistance to senior citizens. Vallee is also committed to helping local high school students pursue higher education, by hiring students to work in his stores and mentoring those who are interested in pursing pharmacy degrees.

Vallee’s commitment was perhaps best illustrated in 2005, when Hurricane Katrina destroyed his store as well as his home. Despite the devastating circumstances, he persevered and built a new pharmacy forty miles from the original location. Then, when the city approached him about rebuilding his old store because no other pharmacies were in the area, he readily agreed, seeing an opportunity to assist a community in need. Now, Vallee operates two stores while still delivering his trademark exemplary customer service.

In honor of Vallee’s commitment to community service, Cardinal Health will donate $10,000 in Vallee’s name to the Monroe College of Pharmacy at the University of Louisiana.

Additional finalists for the 2010 Ken Wurster Community Leadership Award included:

• Rod Mast – Mast Pharmacy in Berlin, Ohio;
• Jim Bock – Whitney Health Care in Traverse City, Mich.;
• Bill Miller – Miller Drug in Bangor, Maine; and
• Eric Winegardner – Eric’s Pharmacy in Shawnee, Okla.

Nominations for the 2011 Ken Wurster Community Leadership Award will be accepted between Sept. 1, 2010 through March 1, 2011. Learn more about the award at cardinalhealth.com.

About Cardinal Health
Headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, Cardinal Health, Inc. (NYSE: CAH) is a $96 billion health care services company that improves the cost-effectiveness of health care. As the business behind health care, Cardinal Health helps pharmacies, hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers and physician offices focus on patient care while reducing costs, improving efficiency and quality, and increasing profitability. Cardinal Health is an essential link in the health care supply chain, providing pharmaceuticals and medical products to more than 60,000 locations each day. The company is also a leading manufacturer of medical and surgical products, including gloves, surgical apparel and fluid management products. In addition, the company supports the growing diagnostic industry by supplying medical products to clinical laboratories and operating the nation's largest network of radiopharmacies that dispense products to aid in the early diagnosis and treatment of disease. Ranked #17 on the Fortune 500, Cardinal Health employs more than 30,000 people worldwide. More information about the company may be found at cardinalhealth.com.