DEERFIELD, Ill. and NEW YORK, Sept. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The National Hemophilia Foundation (NHF) has announced the award of two (2) two- year fellowships for 2006/2007 through the NHF Clinical Fellowship Program in Bleeding Disorders Research, sponsored by Baxter Healthcare Corporation. The program recognizes the need to support new future leaders specializing in coagulation disorders. It was developed to help educate and train physicians to provide comprehensive care for people with bleeding or clotting disorders, such as hemophilia, von Willebrand disease and thrombophilia.
"NHF is proud to support the training of the next generation of physicians who will treat bleeding and clotting disorders," said Alan Kinniburgh, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of the National Hemophilia Foundation. "This generous sponsorship is an exceptional way for Baxter Healthcare to help sustain high quality care for individuals with bleeding and clotting disorders."
In 2005, Baxter expanded its total financial support for the fellowship program to more than $3.6 million to provide support for two new fellowships each year through 2008.
"These fellowships will have a profound impact over the next decade. Four graduates of the program have already received assistant professorship appointments at key teaching and research institutions focusing on coagulation," said W. Keith Hoots, M.D., Director of the Gulf States Hemophilia & Thrombophilia Treatment and Chair of NHF's Medical and Scientific Advisory Council (MASAC). "The individuals coming out of this program will secure the future of research and treatment for bleeding and clotting disorders."
The 2006 recipients of the NHF Clinical Fellowship Program grants are: -- Jordan Shavit, M.D., Ph.D., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor - Dr. Shavit earned a B.S., with Honors and High Distinction, in cellular and molecular biology from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor in 1992, and M.D. and Ph.D. from Northwestern University in 2000. His training continued at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where he served as a House Officer. -- Michael Callaghan, M.D., Children's Hospital of Michigan - Dr. Callaghan earned his B.S. from Oakland University in 1997, and his M.D. from Wayne State University in 2003. He completed a pediatric residency program at the Children's Hospital of Michigan in 2005, and continued as a pediatric hematology/oncology fellow until the present.
"We're proud to have a role in supporting these outstanding clinicians as part of our ongoing commitment to the hemophilia community," said Peter O'Malley, vice president of national accounts and advocacy, Baxter's BioScience business in North America. "Specialized physicians who can provide comprehensive care and continue to advance the treatment of bleeding disorders are essential to the future of patient care."
About the NHF Clinical Fellowship Program
The NHF Clinical Fellowship program offers tuition reimbursement, medical school loan assistance and hands-on training in clinical care for bleeding disorders, as well as clinical research projects, at leading hemophilia treatment centers across the country. Fellows learn the latest diagnostic and therapeutic advances, standard practices and procedures for clinical research, and the skills and knowledge required to provide comprehensive care.
Graduates of the NHF Clinical Fellowship Program will lead research efforts into bleeding and clotting disorders, work with legislators to shape national healthcare policy, and train and support their peers in providing better care to the bleeding disorders community. Through 2006, 13 clinicians have been selected as fellows by an independent panel since the program's inception in 2003. Baxter's expanded sponsorship of the program will support two fellows each year through 2008.
To be eligible for grants, institutions must be pre-approved by NHF as hemophilia/thrombophilia treatment centers, with qualified clinical and research faculty committed to the development of fellows. Candidates for fellowship grants must have a medical degree, pre-fellowship clinical training and an interest in bleeding or clotting disorders.
Additional program information and application materials can be found on the NHF Web site at http://www.hemophilia.org .
About the National Hemophilia Foundation
The National Hemophilia Foundation is dedicated to finding better treatments and cures for bleeding and clotting disorders and to preventing the complications of these disorders through education, advocacy and research.
Established in 1948, the National Hemophilia Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization with chapters throughout the country. Its programs and initiatives are made possible through the generosity of individuals, corporations and foundations as well as through a cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
About Baxter
Baxter Healthcare Corporation is a subsidiary of Baxter International Inc. Baxter International Inc. , through its subsidiaries, assists healthcare professionals and their patients with the treatment of complex medical conditions, including cancer, hemophilia, immune disorders, kidney disease and trauma. The company applies its expertise in medical devices, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology to make a meaningful difference in patients' lives.
Baxter International Inc.CONTACT: John Indence of National Hemophilia Foundation, +1-212-328-3763;or, Media, Deborah Spak, +1-847-948-2349, Investors, Mary Kay Ladone,+1-847-948-3371, or Clare Trachtman, +1-847-948-3085, all of BaxterInternational Inc.
