Siemens Awards Over 100 Scholarships to Medical Laboratory Students in 2011

DEERFIELD, Ill., April 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics (NYSE: SI) announced today it has awarded $125,000 in scholarships to the nation's top students of medical laboratory science, representing 44 states. Since its inception in 2003, the Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Scholarship Program, administered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), has awarded more than $1.25 million in scholarships to medical laboratory students. ASCP received a record number of applications in 2010, nearly double the number received in 2009.

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Medical laboratory personnel perform tests critical to the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of disease and other healthcare conditions. Recently, U.S. News & World Report declared lab technicians and technologists the "unsung heroes of the healthcare industry", and medical and clinical laboratory scientists among "The 50 Best Careers of 2011" in its annual career survey. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 138,000 new laboratory professionals will be needed in the workforce by 2012, but fewer than 50,000 will be trained. The Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Scholarship Program helps laboratories reduce this staffing shortfall by supporting students interested in pursuing a degree in medical laboratory science.

"At Siemens Healthcare, we are strongly committed to the laboratory profession and to the technologists who play a critical role in helping physicians improve patient outcomes," said Michael Reitermann, CEO, Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics. "The Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Scholarship Program contributes to the education and training of laboratory professionals, and we feel privileged to assist our customers by supporting the development of the next generation of skilled laboratorians."

Scholarships are awarded in partnership with the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), which administers the program. Awards are available to eligible students in the U.S. pursuing associate, baccalaureate, or master's degrees in medical laboratory science. Special Legacy Scholarships are awarded to students who follow family members into the laboratory profession. Siemens also funds similar scholarships in several other countries.

"The current workforce shortage of laboratory professionals is one of the greatest concerns facing laboratory managers across our country," said Lynnette Chakkaphak, MS, MT(ASCP), Chair of ASCP's Scholarship Committee, and laboratory director of a large Florida-based health system. "Through its scholarship program, Siemens is making it possible for students to pursue a career path into the field of medical laboratory science. The recipients of these scholarships will no doubt become the needed technical experts and leaders within our laboratories in the future."

Fostering a culture of innovation, research, and education, Siemens is committed to the future and to those who will create it, particularly in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Scholarship Program is one of many educational initiatives the company supports.

For more information about the Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Scholarship Program, visit www.usa.siemens.com/diagnostics-scholarships.

The Siemens Healthcare Sector is one of the world's largest suppliers to the healthcare industry and a trendsetter in medical imaging, laboratory diagnostics, medical information technology and hearing aids. Siemens offers its customers products and solutions for the entire range of patient care from a single source – from prevention and early detection to diagnosis, and on to treatment and aftercare. By optimizing clinical workflows for the most common diseases, Siemens also makes healthcare faster, better and more cost-effective. Siemens Healthcare employs some 48,000 employees worldwide and operates around the world. In fiscal year 2010 (to September 30), the Sector posted revenue of 12.4 billion euros and profit of around 750 million euros. For further information please visit: www.siemens.com/healthcare.

Founded in 1922, ASCP is a professional society with more than 100,000 member pathologists, pathologists' assistants, residents, laboratory professionals and students. Based in Chicago, the ASCP provides excellence in education, certification and advocacy on behalf of patients, pathologists and laboratory professionals. For further information please visit : www.ascp.org.

SOURCE Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics