Baxter and National Hemophilia Foundation (NHF) Announce Awards Under NHF Clinical Fellowship Program

Baxter and National Hemophilia Foundation (NHF) Announce Awards
Under NHF Clinical Fellowship Program
~ Baxter-Sponsored Awards Designed to Promote Excellence in Hemophilia Care ~



DEERFIELD, Ill., Nov. 8  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Baxter Healthcare
Corporation and the National Hemophilia Foundation (NHF) announced today the
individuals awarded fellowships through the NHF Clinical Fellowship Program.
Funded by a $2.125 million educational grant by Baxter over five years, the
program was designed to train clinicians in providing comprehensive care for
the treatment of bleeding and clotting disorders such as hemophilia and
thrombophilia. It was created in response to the need to support new future
leaders in hemophilia care.

Currently, nine physicians have been selected as fellows by an independent
panel since the program's inception in 2003. Funding is awarded to the
hemophilia treatment centers where the candidates will be trained. The grants
are used for tuition reimbursement, medical school loan assistance and hands-on
training to support the fellows' academic pursuits in treating bleeding
disorders. Baxter's sponsorship of the program will support fellows through
2007.

"People with bleeding disorders have very specific needs and it is so important
to enable medical professionals to pursue a specialized training program in
hemophilia," said Keith Hoots, M.D., chair of NHF's Medical and Scientific
Advisory Council (MASAC). "The Clinical Fellowship program supports medical
professionals early in their career and allows them to pursue a program at
prestigious hemophilia treatment centers, preparing fellows for careers in
bleeding and clotting disorders."

This program acknowledges the important roles played by the hemophilia
treatment centers and physicians who specialize in hemophilia management in the
community.

  The NHF/Baxter Clinical Fellows to date are:

   * Neil Goldenberg, University of Colorado
   * Shawn Jobe, University of Iowa
   * Amy Awaida, Mount Sinai Medical Center
   * Rebecca Kruse-Jarres, Tulane University Health Sciences Center
   * Nidra Rodriguez, University of Texas
   * Raj Kasthuri, University of Minnesota
   * Char Witmer, The Children's Hospital of Pennsylvania
   * Leslie Raffini, The Children's Hospital of Pennsylvania
   * Courtney Thornburg, University of Michigan



"Baxter is deeply committed to the hemophilia community, not only supporting
R&D but also professional education," said Peter O'Malley, vice president and
general manager, Baxter's BioScience business. "This is a valuable program
because it provides physicians the opportunity to explore their interest in
treating hemophilia, and in turn through their studies, enhance the lives of
thousands of people within the hemophilia community."

Selection Criteria

To be eligible for grants, institutions must have well established
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.

The Clinical Fellowship Program represents a commitment by the NHF and Baxter
to advance the treatment of bleeding and clotting disorders. Program
information and application materials can be found on the NHF Web site at
http://www.hemophilia.org/.

About the National Hemophilia Foundation

Founded in 1948, the NHF is dedicated to finding cures for bleeding disorders
and to preventing or minimizing the impact of these disorders and their
complications through education, advocacy and research. NHF has an active
network of chapters across the United States and robust education and
communications programs that bring health-care professionals and consumers the
latest knowledge and information, with the goal of improving the quality of
life of all people affected by bleeding disorders.

About Baxter

Baxter Healthcare Corporation is the principal operating subsidiary of Baxter
International Inc. Baxter International Inc., through its subsidiaries, assists
health-care professionals and their patients with 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. 

DATASOURCE: Baxter Healthcare Corporation



CONTACT:  Media - Cindy Resman, Baxter, [phone], or Glenn Mones,

NHF, [phone]; Investors - Mary Kay Ladone, Baxter, [phone]



Web site:  http://www.baxter.com/

http://www.hemophilia.org/ 

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