Schools Represent First Recipients of $1 Million Instrument Donation Program ABBOTT PARK, Ill., March 5 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its continuing effort to highlight the critical role that laboratory medicine plays in healthcare, Abbott today announced that it has awarded diagnostic equipment, supplies and service to clinical laboratory educational programs at 16 accredited schools across the United States. These programs, designed to prepare students for careers in clinical laboratory science, represent the first grant recipients of the Instrument Donation Initiative, sponsored by the company's "Labs Are Vital(TM)" Program. The state-of-the-art equipment awarded includes automated immunoassay analyzers, hematology systems and handheld point-of-care automated diagnostic instruments. "While it is important to recognize and celebrate the work of lab professionals currently in the field, Abbott's 'Labs Are Vital' program also addresses the need to train and support the next generation of laboratory professionals on high-tech, real-world equipment," said Don Patton, vice president, global diagnostic commercial operations, Abbott. "Our nation's clinical laboratories are facing a critical shortage of qualified laboratory personnel, and providing educational programs with additional resources to train future laboratorians is a first step for us to help." The 16 recipients represent nine universities and seven community colleges, and were selected from more than 100 online applications. An independent panel of judges -- representing university, community college and hospital-based programs -- chose the awardees based on a combination of selection criteria, including need and number of students reached by the program. The first round of equipment donation recipients includes: -- Armstrong Atlantic State University (Savannah, Ga.) -- Clover Park Technical College (Lakewood, Wash.) -- Elgin Community College (Elgin, Ill.) -- Ferris State University (Big Rapids, Mich.) -- Illinois State University (Normal, Ill.) -- J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College (Richmond, Va.) -- Oregon Institute of Technology (Portland, Ore.) -- Our Lady of the Lake College (Baton Rouge, La.) -- Trident Technical College (Charleston, S.C.) -- University of Alabama at Birmingham -- University of Alaska (Anchorage, Alaska) -- University of Buffalo (Buffalo, N.Y.) -- University of Southern Mississippi (Hattiesburg, Miss.) -- University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center (Memphis, Tenn.) -- University of Texas Health Sciences Center (San Antonio, Texas) -- Wayne State University (Detroit, Mich.) "Talking about automation in labs does not adequately prepare new laboratorians for what they will experience once they move on to the hospitals for their clinical rotations," said Becky Clark, assistant professor and head of the Medical Laboratory Technology program at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College in Richmond, Va. "Until now, the best I have been able to do for my students to show them modern equipment was to take them on a field trip to see one of the state's high-tech labs. This grant from Abbott will help us move our program into the 21st century." Applications for the second round of equipment donations are due March 31, 2007. Application forms are available online at http://www.labsarevital.com/ . About Labs Are Vital "Labs Are Vital" is a multi-pronged, multi-year education and awareness initiative designed to highlight the critical role that laboratory medicine plays in human health. The program -- which includes a consumer advertising campaign, the instrument donation program and a variety of web-based resources for laboratory professionals -- focuses attention on the life-saving work medical laboratory scientists provide in diagnosing disease and improving health outcomes. Its goal is to help promote the profession and help address some of its current challenges. For more information on the "Labs are Vital" program, please visit http://www.labsarevital.com/ . About Abbott Diagnostics Abbott Diagnostics is a global leader in in vitro diagnostics and offers a broad range of innovative instrument systems and tests for hospitals, reference labs, blood banks, physician offices and clinics. With more than 69,000 institutional customers in more than 100 countries, Abbott's diagnostic products offer customers automation, convenience, cost effectiveness and flexibility. Abbott has helped transform the practice of medical diagnostics from an art to a science through the company's commitment to improving patient care and lowering overall costs. The history of Abbott Diagnostics is filled with examples of first-of-a-kind products and significant technological advancements. On Jan. 18, 2007, Abbott announced that it will sell its core laboratory diagnostics business, including the Abbott Diagnostics Division and Abbott Point of Care, to GE for $8.13 billion in cash. The sale is expected to close in the first half of 2007 and is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals. About Abbott Abbott is a global, broad-based health care company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceuticals and medical products, including nutritionals, devices and diagnostics. The company employs 65,000 people and markets its products in more than 130 countries. Abbott's news releases and other information are available on the company's Web site at http://www.abbott.com/ . DATASOURCE: Abbott CONTACT: Kelly Morrison, Abbott, +1-847-937-3802 Web site: http://www.abbott.com/ http://www.labsarevital.com/

Copyright