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American Specialty Health to Give $41,000 in Scholarships This Year to Students Studying Complementary Health Care

SAN DIEGO (Jan. 31, 2005) – American Specialty Health (ASH), the nation’s leading complementary health benefits organization, announced that its annual scholarships for students in the fields of chiropractic, acupuncture, massage therapy, dietetics, and naturopathy will total $41,000 in 2005.

Each year, ASH gives one scholarship to a student in each of the following disciplines: chiropractic, $15,000; acupuncture, $5,000; dietetics, $5,000; massage therapy, $1,000; and naturopathy, $15,000. The awards are based on grade point average, financial need, and a 2,500- to 3,500-word essay explaining how the student believes their profession or specialty can help resolve the health care crisis.

In addition, applicants are required to submit a brief personal statement explaining why the applicant should be chosen, an official transcript showing grade point average, and two letters of recommendation from faculty members or clinical residents at the applicant’s current institution.

“The ASH Scholarship Program was developed to reward students who have a unique foresight in the U.S. health care system,” said George DeVries, president, chairman, and chief executive officer of ASH. “Their roles as chiropractors, acupuncturists, massage therapists, registered dietitians, and naturopathic physicians will continue to grow in importance in the provision of health care.”

The ASH Scholarship program was initiated in 2001 to reach out to students who intend to pursue careers in complementary health care. Students who wish to be considered for a scholarship award can download an application from the Providers section of ASH’s Web site, ASHCompanies.com.

The deadlines for the 2005 scholarship applications are: chiropractic, March 5; acupuncture, May 2; dietetics, July 5; massage therapy, Sept. 6; and naturopathy, Nov. 7.

American Specialty Health, Incorporated (ASH), based in San Diego, and its affiliates are the nation’s largest organization for complementary health care benefit programs, health education programs, and health-related products measured in terms of annual revenues, members/insured, employees, contracted providers and contracted health plans. Its affiliate, American Specialty Health Plans of California (ASH Plans) is the state’s first and largest specialized health plan for chiropractic and acupuncture benefit programs. ASH Plans provides chiropractic and acupuncture benefit programs to full-service health plans and employer groups. ASH Plans covers over 4 million members/insureds, and is California’s third-largest specialty health plan. ASH administers benefit programs for 11.5 million members and discount programs for over 75 million members.