American Specialty Health Awards Scholarship to Dietetics Student at Bastyr University

San Diego, CA, (April 29, 2003) -- American Specialty Health, Incorporated, the nation's leading complementary health care benefits organization, announced the winner of its 2002 scholarship award for students pursuing careers in dietetics. Sarah O'Brien, a second-year dietetics student at Bastyr University in Washington, won the $5,000 award with her essay "A New View."

Criteria for the scholarships include grade point average, a written essay, financial need, and participation in various professional activities.

"Our sincere appreciation goes out to all the entrants/students who wrote such excellent essays on their vision for the integration of complementary health care. We congratulate Ms. O'Brien for creating an outstanding paper," said George DeVries, chairman, president and chief executive officer of American Specialty Health. "We are extremely pleased to be able to offer these scholarships which recognize academic excellence and enthusiasm towards complementary health care."

Students pursuing careers in various aspects of complementary health care may apply for scholarships totaling $45,000 through the American Specialty Health scholarship program. Qualifying students are those studying chiropractic, dietetics, naturopathy, massage therapy or acupuncture at any accredited institution in the country. In 2002, American Specialty Health awarded five scholarships in the areas of chiropractic, acupuncture, massage therapy, naturopathy, and dietetics.

The deadline for American Specialty Health's 2003 scholarship for registered dietitians is August 25, 2003. Information on the scholarship program and applications may be found at www.ashproviders.com.

American Specialty Health, Incorporated and its subsidiaries are the nation's leading specialty benefits organization for complementary health care–providing benefit, health education, and affinity network programs to health plans, insurance carriers, employer groups, and trust funds nationwide. Its subsidiary American Specialty Health Plans of California, Inc., which operates in California, is the nation's first and largest specialty health plan for chiropractic and acupuncture. Based in San Diego, American Specialty Health has nearly 500 employees and more than 10 million members in benefit programs nationwide. For more information about American Specialty Health, visit its Web site at www.ashcompanies.com.