National Hemophilia Foundation Grants 2005 Awards Under Baxter-Sponsored NHF Clinical Fellowship Program

DEERFIELD, Ill. and NEW YORK, Oct. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The National Hemophilia Foundation (NHF) announced today the award of two fellowships for 2005 through the NHF Clinical Fellowship Program in Bleeding Disorders Research, sponsored by Baxter Healthcare Corporation. Baxter expanded its financial support for the fellowship program to more than $3.6 million to provide support for two new fellowships each year through 2008. The program recognizes the need to support new future leaders specializing in bleeding disorders and was developed to help educate and train physicians to provide comprehensive care for individuals with hemophilia, von Willebrand's disease and thrombophilia.

"There is a critical need for physicians specializing in the care of bleeding disorders," said Alan Kinniburgh, chief executive officer, NHF. "This program encourages new medical professionals to consider bleeding and clotting disorders as a specialty by making it financially possible for them to participate in training programs."

The latest recipients of the NHF Clinical Fellowship Program grants are: -- Shannon Meeks, M.D., Pediatric Hematology-Oncology at Cincinnati's Children's Hospital Medical Center, and -- Eric Mullens, M.D., Pediatric Hematology-Oncology at Cincinnati's Children's Hospital Medical Center.

"Baxter's support of this program is another example of our long history of commitment to the hemophilia community," said Peter O'Malley, vice president of national accounts, Baxter's BioScience business in North America. "This fellowship program was created in recognition of the importance of having specialized physicians who can provide comprehensive care and continue to advance the treatment of bleeding disorders."

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 2005, 11 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 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 non profit 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.