American Specialty Health Awards Scholarships to Naturopathy Students

SAN DIEGO (February 9, 2007) – Leading personal health improvement company American Specialty Health (ASH) recently announced the recipients of its 2006 scholarships for students pursuing careers in naturopathy. The awards are the final two of several given out in 2006 to acupuncture, chiropractic, dietetics, massage therapy, and naturopathy students in a scholarship competition administered by ASH subsidiary American Specialty Health Plans of California, Inc. (ASH Plans).

The scholarship winners are Gillian Flower, a student at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto, Ontario, and Setareh Tais, a student at Bastyr University in Kenmore, Wash. Flower and Tais will each receive $4,500, which will be applied toward further studies in naturopathy.

Criteria for the ASH Plans naturopathy scholarships included grade point average, financial need, and participation in various professional activities. Applicants were also required to complete an essay on their studies in naturopathy and complementary health care.

“The ASH Scholarship Program was developed to recognize academic excellence and reward students who share a unique foresight into the health care system,” said George DeVries, chairman, president, and chief executive officer of ASH. “We congratulate Ms. Flower and Ms. Tais for advancing the study of the important–and increasingly popular–field of naturopathy through their many academic and professional accomplishments.”

About American Specialty Health
ASH and its subsidiaries comprise one of the nation’s premier personal health improvement organizations, providing provider network, fitness, and wellness programs to health plans, insurance carriers, employer groups, and trust funds nationwide. ASH Plans is California’s first and largest specialized health plan for acupuncture and chiropractic, providing benefit programs to full-service health plans and employer groups.

Based in San Diego, ASH has over 500 employees and covers more than 12 million members in benefit programs and more than 80 million members in affinity discount programs. For more information, visit ASH online at ASHCompanies.com or call 800.848.3555.