Patterson Companies

10/26/2026

Did you know? More than 17 million Americans are of Italian descent with roots tracing back to the immigration surge in the late 19th century. Most of us probably know someone with Italian heritage and almost everyone knows and loves traditional Italian cuisine.

October is Italian Heritage Month and one of our Patterson employees, Vincent Parrillo, shared with us the story of his beloved grandfather (also named Vincent) who came to the United States in 1921.

“At 17 years old my grandfather came in on a ship from Italy to Ellis Island in New York Harbor looking for a job and start to life,” shares Vincent. “I guess you could call it searching for the American Dream. He met my grandmother in New York, not knowing they were actually on the same boat when they came to the U.S. He sent her back to Italy where she took classes and learned English while he stayed in New York to build a career. He eventually went back to Italy where they married and then they made their way to New York again. This time permanently.”

Vincent’s grandfather, one of 10 children, grew up in southern Italy in a small town called Pomarico. Their lives revolved around family and cooking (like most Italians). When he arrived in New York, he had two goals he wanted to achieve: first to assimilate into American culture, and second, to find a job. He ended up in the alteration business and became a tailor.

“To say he was just a tailor is really undermining how successful he was in the industry. He worked in the Wall Street area and regularly made suits for celebrities. One of his most notable clients was legendary entertainer Bob Hope. He really made a name for himself in Manhattan.”

Vincent has only visited Italy once but got to visit his grandparents’ old town.

“I think the thing that strikes me most about Italians is their way of life. No rushing, slow leisurely meals, hard work, and putting family first. He came here at a time when Italians weren’t exactly welcomed into this country. They had to work hard to earn their place and show their worth. That’s exactly what he did, and it rubbed off on me. I’m very proud to be his grandson.”

Here's a picture of three generations of Vincent Parrillos! Happy Italian Heritage Month!

10/19/2026

Congratulations to our Patterson Fulfillment Center of the Year winner (for the second straight year!) – Bessemer, Alabama!

The FC of the Year award recognizes the top-performing fulfillment center at Patterson. The fulfillment center is scored in multiple areas including quality to the customer, productivity and financial performance.

“While several key criteria help determine the FC of the Year, this team stood out through its consistent performance, teamwork and commitment to our customers,” says VP of Strategic Business Operations and Transformation Ernie Pasillas. “Their strong sense of ownership, collaboration and continuous improvement, combined with a willingness to go above and beyond, exemplifies the standard we strive for across our fulfillment network.”

This award is one of the most prestigious that Patterson honors, mostly because of how valuable our fulfillment centers are to the core of the Patterson business. Without their work and efficiency, we would not be able to deliver the excellent customer experience we pride ourselves on.

Congrats Bessemer!

10/14/2026

At our fulfillment center in Dinuba, California, Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the diversity that makes our team stronger. Through events like a Grito Contest, we honor the traditions, values, and cultural pride of our employees while fostering a workplace where everyone feels seen, respected, and appreciated. Thank you to all of our Dinuba employees who participated and helped make the 4th annual Grito contest a memorable celebration!

10/12/2026

Last year, the awarded $20,000 to Native American Community Clinic in Minneapolis, to support a major expansion project to their campus.

This past week, NACC hosted their annual open house, giving the community a chance to see the brand-new facility, and learn more about the wide range of health services NACC provides to Native American communities within the Twin Cities metro area in Minnesota.

Patterson has worked with NACC since 2023, and we're proud to support organizations that make an impact in the communities that we serve.

On this Indigenous People's Day, we want to congratulate NACC on this amazing milestone!

10/12/2026

Happy Thanksgiving to our Canadian employees, customers, and communities!

In 1957, Canada officially declared Thanksgiving a national holiday, a day “for general thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed.” Today, it’s a secular celebration that honors gratitude, family, and community.

In observance of the holiday, our Canadian offices are closed today, and will reopen tomorrow morning. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

10/08/2026

The continues its commitment to build healthier communities across North America in the third quarter of 2026, awarding more than $317,000 in grants to nonprofits advancing oral health, animal health, and supporting ag education.

One of the largest grantmaking quarters to date, the Foundation added six new nonprofit grantees, reflecting the Foundation's continued effort to identify and support innovative organizations addressing community needs. New grantees include Community Health Center (IA), VINA Community Dental Center (MI), InterFaith Health Center (TN), KSDS Assistance Dogs, Inc. (KS), Patriot PAWS Service Dogs (FL), and MIRA Foundation Canada.

In oral health, the grants will expand access to dental care for uninsured and underserved individuals through community clinics and Mission of Mercy events that serve thousands of patients each year. In animal health, funding will support the breeding, training, and placement of service and guide dogs that help individuals live more independently. The Foundation also continues its longstanding partnership with FFA, awarding grants to nine state organizations to strengthen teacher professional development and agricultural education programs.

Welcome to all of our new grantees!

10/07/2026

10/05/2026

Congratulations to another one of our 2026 Scholarship Recipients: Ivana Rosillo!

Ivana is currently a junior studying Dental Hygiene at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry in Minneapolis.

“This scholarship holds extreme value to me as it will aid me in the development of skills and knowledge in the dental hygiene field at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry.”

As a first-generation student and daughter of immigrant parents, her early experiences translating for her family and navigating different cultures helped shape her identity and perspective.

Through volunteering in underserved communities and working in dental offices in Minneapolis and Chicago, she developed a strong commitment to helping others. Her ability to connect through clear communication, empathy, and cultural understanding allows her to build trust and ensure patients feel heard and supported.

She continues to carry these values forward as she works toward a career dedicated to making healthcare more accessible and inclusive.

Congratulations Ivana—we’re excited to see all you accomplish!

10/01/2026

We're proud to support efforts that expand access to oral health care where it's needed most.

Earlier this month, Patterson Dental partnered with the Aloha Medical Mission Dental Division to help launch a new mobile dental clinic in Hawaii, bringing preventive care, oral health education and hygiene services directly to underserved communities across the islands.

The clinic's first stop was a women's shelter, where volunteer dental professionals provided care and resources to help patients build healthier futures.

One community. One smile. One person at a time. hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag

09/30/2026

Today is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as . It is a day students and staff in communities across Canada wear orange and participate in events to recognize and raise awareness about the history and legacies of the residential school system in Canada.

The day originates from the story of Phyllis Webstad from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation. In 1973, on her first day at St. Joseph’s Residential School in Williams Lake, BC, Phyllis’ shiny new orange shirt was stripped from her, never to be seen again. Forty years later, on September 30, 2013, Phyllis spoke publicly for the first time about her experience, and thus began the Orange Shirt Day movement.

Orange Shirt Day is an opportunity for First Nations, local governments, schools and communities to come together in the spirit of reconciliation and hope for generations of children to come.

Thank you to our Patterson Affinity Zone (PAZ) group for leading an effort to distribute T-shirts, bring awareness to Orange Shirt Day, and for helping us to better understand this important day in Canadian history.