Subject: Novo Nordisk announces minority medical education scholarships
Date: Fri, 28 Nov 2003 20:50:26 EST
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Novo Nordisk announces minority medical education scholarships
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$100,000 annual fund to be awarded to students at four historically Black
medical schools
WASHINGTON, -- Novo Nordisk, a world leader in diabetes care, has established
the annual Novo Nordisk Diabetes Scholarship fund to recognize excellence in
academic achievement among minority medical students. In its inaugural year,
the fund will provide $25,000 grants to each of the four historically Black
medical schools.
The $100,000 scholarship fund was established to support diversity within the
medical profession and to encourage leadership in improving overall
healthcare and diabetes care among minority populations and in underserved communities.
Novo Nordisk announced the program at the annual meeting of the Association
of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) in Washington D.C. on Nov. 9.
The following medical schools each will receive a $25,000 scholarship grant:
Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, D.C.; Meharry Medical
College, Nashville, Tenn.; Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Ga.; and the
Charles R. Drew University of Science and Medicine, Los Angeles, Calif. Each
medical school then will select five students, each to receive $5,000 scholarships
for the 2003-2004 academic years according to selection criteria established
by the individual schools. "Novo Nordisk is dedicated to finding ways to
improve the lives of people with diabetes and to make a difference," said Martin
Soeters, president of Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals, Inc. "Our intent and hope is
that the Novo Nordisk Diabetes Scholarships will help these outstanding
students to reach their professional goals. Our aim is to extend our legacy through
these young adults who are dedicating their lives to caring for others, and to
help prepare them to meet the ever-growing healthcare needs of people with
diabetes, especially among minority populations and in underserved communities."
Diabetes and African Americans
Diabetes is among the most serious health threats to the African-American
community. According to the American Diabetes Association, approximately 2.8
million or 13 percent of all African Americans have diabetes, and up to one-third
may be undiagnosed. African Americans are two times as likely to have diabetes
as non-Hispanic whites of similar age, and often have higher rates of at
least four of the most serious complications: heart disease, blindness, amputation
and end stage renal disease (kidney failure). Some 25 percent of African
Americans between the ages of 65 and 74 have diabetes and one in four
African-American women over age 55 has diabetes.
For more information on the Novo Nordisk Diabetes Scholarship, go to:
www.novonordisk-us.com.
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