Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics and the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) have awarded a combined $182,000 in scholarships to the nation’s top undergraduate and graduate medical laboratory students for the 2011-2012 academic year. The Siemens – ASCP Scholarship Program was established in 2003 to address the nation’s shortage of qualified medical laboratory personnel, defray education costs, and promote the profession. To date, more than $1.4 million in scholarships has been awarded to qualified medical laboratory students. The 70% increase in applications over the past two years is an indicator of the continued strength of and industry need for the scholarship program.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 138,000 new laboratory professionals will be needed in the workforce by this year, but fewer than 50,000 will be trained. The Siemens – ASCP Scholarship Program helps laboratories reduce this staffing shortfall by supporting students interested in pursuing a degree in medical laboratory science.

“We would like to extend our congratulations to all of the scholarship recipients,” said Michael Reitermann, CEO, Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics. “Each of these outstanding individuals will play an important role in providing quality health care to patients, and we feel privileged to help make a difference in this vital profession. This scholarship program is a great example of Siemens’ commitment to the laboratory profession and the future of diagnostic medicine.”

Awards are available to eligible students in the US 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. Scholarships are awarded by the ASCP, which also administers the program.

“This is a pivotal period of time in our country’s health care system,” noted Mark Bailey, MA, HTL (ASCP)CM, Assistant Professor and Program Director—Histotechnology, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, and Chair of the ASCP Scholarship Committee. “We need a clinical laboratory workforce that meets the needs of a growing population of patients, and to manage laboratory resources wisely. The Siemens – ASCP Scholarships have assisted hundreds of clinical laboratory students each year in support of their education, providing them the skill-sets needed to administer laboratory medicine.”

Source: Siemens Healthcare