Medtech Launches New 10-School Company

/PRNewswire/ -- Medtech today announced the formation of a new 10-school company that is positioned to become a leading post-secondary healthcare career education provider. The schools include four current Midwestern campuses, along with three Sanz Schools in the Washington, D.C. area and three Javelin Technical Training Centers in greater Atlanta that will adopt the Medtech name.

The schools were brought together under single ownership less than a year ago. Medtech President and CEO John L. Hopkins' mission was to create a powerful, extraordinary education company that will provide a distinctive education experience. To achieve that goal, Medtech is establishing new learning and service standards within the industry while preserving each school's legacy and healthcare career training strengths.

"We've created a totally new company, from our corporate culture and philosophy to the way in which we operate, so we can deliver an extraordinary learning environment, along with personal and memorable services for our students, employers and clinical partners," said Hopkins. "We selected the Medtech name because it speaks directly to our campuses' healthcare expertise and is indicative of technological investments we are making within the schools to provide the most advanced resources and services to facilitate an extraordinary experience for our students."

He added that Medtech is dedicated to creating new futures through a set of core values that enable it to "be extraordinary" and, in the process, prepare students for rewarding careers in the in-demand healthcare industry. Several campuses also will offer accredited nursing training.

The company sets itself apart from industry competitors on the basis of providing an exceptional student experience. Medtech's educational method is distinguished by a unique employee culture that instructors and staff played a significant role in shaping; a focus on operational pre-eminence through reinvestment in campuses and the technology and tools to create environments in which students can become extraordinary; and a commitment to maintaining the highest levels of regulatory excellence.

"We are characterized by our people, culture and operational excellence – an authentic distinction that will allow us to redefine the education environment," Hopkins said. "Medtech is moving forward in its quest to create student experiences that are beyond the predictable through our commitment to be extraordinary in everything we do."

Medtech's name speaks directly to each campus' primary focus: preparing career professionals for medical-related fields in strong learning environments that are technologically oriented. It also communicates that Medtech campuses provide personalized hands-on, practical learning experiences so students are prepared to achieve all that is possible while creating new futures for themselves in healthcare.

While its main focus is on healthcare education, Medtech also recognizes the general need for English language training in many of the communities it serves. With growing numbers of students seeking English as a Second Language (ESL) programs to bolster their career aptitude, Medtech offers English as a supplemental program to its core medical training program for students wishing to enhance their language skills.

Students are encouraged to search out new opportunities, develop inquisitive minds, and gain the skills and professional confidence that enable them to reach their full potential. A Medtech education prepares students to establish professional goals and create new futures in existing and emerging healthcare professions.

"We offer a strong learning platform that enables graduates to realize they have extraordinary potential…and the tools to achieve it," Hopkins noted.

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U.S. Army Increases Medical and Dental School Benefits

/PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Army Medical Department announced today that it is increasing the stipend associated with its Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) to $1,992 per month, effective July 1, 2009. Through this economic downturn, many medical and dental students are faced with anxiety about taking out student loans to finance their education, especially knowing that the average medical school student loan debt is $150,000 after graduation(i).

The United States Army Medical Department (AMEDD) through its F. Edward Hebert Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) helps students to finance their graduate medical, dental or veterinary degrees, as well as select nursing degrees or certain degrees within the Medical Service Corps by providing students with the full cost of tuition; school related fees and books; as well as a stipend of $1,992 per month throughout the school year. In addition, HPSP recipients in the Medical Corps and Dental Corps are eligible for a one-time $20,000 (less tax) sign-on bonus.

"The call to serve as a health care professional is vital to the health of our nation and our Army, but we continue to face shortages of qualified medical professionals in both the civilian and military world," said Colonel Rafael Montagno, commander U.S. Army Medical Recruiting Brigade. "Now more than ever, it's important that students know there is financial support available to help them achieve their dreams of a health care career."

For many students seeking a valuable career in health care, qualifying for loans and student loan debt is a serious issue preventing them from pursuing advanced degrees. According to a 2007 study by the American Association of Medical Colleges, physicians who are on a standard 10-year loan repayment plan would see half of their after-tax earnings go towards their loan payment.

Graduates of HPSP finish school debt-free and, as members of one of the largest health care organizations in the world, gain unparalleled practical experience beyond what is available to their civilian counterparts.

The scholarship is available in 1, 2, 3 and 4-year increments and provides benefits during school and after graduation for those who are currently enrolled in a graduate medical, dental or veterinary program, or those pursuing psychiatric nurse practitioner degrees or other medical service degrees such as optometry or clinical/counseling psychology. Upon graduation and entry into active duty, AMEDD Officers receive increases in salary and new opportunities for a broad range of residencies, fellowships and special pay incentives. Acceptance of the Critical Skills Accessions Bonus includes a four-year active duty and four-year Reserve service obligation, which can be fulfilled concurrent with service obligations related to HPSP upon completion of residency programs and becoming licensed to practice.

For 10-and-a-half months of each school year, a monthly stipend of $1,992 will be paid to each scholarship recipient. This amount is adjusted each year to allow for cost of living increases, but amounts to more than $20,000 annually in addition to the cost of tuition and other school related fees. The remaining six weeks of the year are dedicated to hands-on training during which HPSP participants receive Officer's pay as a second lieutenant.

Graduates of the HPSP program receive all the benefits of active duty Officers including:

-- Paid continuing education courses, seminars and conferences
-- No-cost or low-cost medical and dental care for you and your family
-- A comfortable home on-post or a generous housing allowance if you live
off-post
-- Opportunities to travel throughout the world
-- Attractive retirement benefits with 20 years of qualifying service
-- A flexible, portable retirement savings and investment plan similar to
a 401k
-- 30 days of vacation earned each year
-- Rank and privileges of an Army Officer
-- Low-cost life insurance

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Army Scholarship Finances Graduate Medical, Dental & Veterinary Education

(BUSINESS WIRE)--In the coming months, many undergraduate students who have applied for medical and dental school will receive letters notifying them that they have been accepted for the fall semester. For some, the excitement of the news will be tinged with anxiety as they wonder how they will finance their education.

The United States Army Medical Department (AMEDD) through its F. Edward Hebert Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) is one option for students seeking a way to pay for their graduate medical, dental, veterinary or nursing degree. HPSP provides students with the full cost of tuition; school related fees and books; as well as a stipend of more than $1,900 per month during the school year. In addition, HPSP recipients are eligible for a one-time $20,000 (less tax) sign-on bonus.

For Sara Michael, a second year medical student at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, the scholarship enables her to stay focused on her education, “I’d say I’m less anxious about the future because my financial situation is more stable. That’s a huge perk.”

According to a 2007 study by the American Association of Medical Schools, the average student loan debt is more than $150,000 after graduation and is a barrier for many students. The report estimated that physicians who are on a standard 10-year loan repayment plan would see half of their after-tax earnings go to their loan payment.

“In a time of economic uncertainty and difficulty obtaining loans, the prospect of mounting debt is daunting,” said Colonel Rafael Montagno, commander U.S. Army Medical Recruiting Brigade. “Army Health Care provides students with a first rate education, advanced training and experience – and many students will be surprised to learn that they can specialize in forty-seven practices ranging from anesthesiology to vascular surgery, and have access to research opportunities that can take them around the world.”

The scholarship is available in 2, 3 and 4-year increments and provides benefits during school and after graduation for those planning a career in health care or who are currently enrolled in a graduate medical or dental program. In addition to a full tuition scholarship to the medical or dental school of choice, the program pays for required books, non-expendable equipment, other academic fees and a monthly stipend that is adjusted annually for cost-of-living increases. Upon graduation and entry onto active duty, AMEDD Officers receive increases in salary and new opportunities for a broad range of residencies, fellowships and special pay incentives. Acceptance of the Critical Skills Accessions Bonus includes a four-year active duty and four-year Reserve service obligation, which can be fulfilled concurrent with service obligations related to HPSP upon completion of residency programs and becoming licensed to practice.

For more information about HPSP and the Critical Skills Accession Bonus, please visit www.goarmy.com/amedd/hpsp.jsp or phone 800-USA-ARMY (800-872-2769).

Graduates of the HPSP program receive all the benefits of active duty Officers including:

* Paid continuing education courses, seminars and conferences
* No-cost or low-cost medical and dental care for you and your family
* A comfortable home on-post or a generous housing allowance if you live off-post
* Opportunities to travel throughout the world
* Attractive retirement benefits with 20 years of qualifying service
* A flexible, portable retirement savings and investment plan similar to a 401k
* 30 days of vacation earned each year
* Rank and privileges of an Army Officer
* Low-cost life insurance

ABOUT THE ARMY MEDICAL DEPARTMENT (AMEDD)

From nurses and entomologists to veterinarians, dietitians and physicians, Army Health Care offers more than 90 professional health care career paths – more than any other military service.

Army Health Care annually employs more than 73,500 active-duty professionals and 72,000 Reserve Soldiers who interact with more than 200,000 patients in an average day. The Army’s Health Care system is an $8 billion per year venture, employing 145,000 people and managing the care of three million beneficiaries. The active Army Medical Team is augmented by a Reserve Component, comprised of health care professionals in Reserve units throughout the United States and abroad.

One of the largest health care networks in the world, AMEDD operates more than 600 world-renowned hospitals, clinics and facilities around the globe. AMEDD encompasses six corps: Dental, Medical, Medical Service, Medical Specialist, Nurse and Veterinary.

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Recession Blues? Six Certifications You Can Earn in Six Months

/PRNewswire/ -- For those facing unemployment, the idea of retraining for a new career can seem daunting--especially for adults who don't have the luxury of attending a two- or four-year college. America's career-training institutions can offer hope, though. Here are six careers you can become certified for in six months or less:

Computer Technician: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that careers in the IT field will increase by 27-53% by 2016. In fourteen states, ComputerTraining.com offers accelerated, classroom-based courses to prepare students for Microsoft Certification (MCP, MCTS and MCSA) in six months.

Medical Careers: According to the Department of Labor, Medical Assistant is one of the fastest-growing fields in America. Training programs to become a Medical Assistant, Dental Assistant, Medical Billing Technician or Phlebotomist vary in length depending on certifications, starting at eight weeks.

Culinary Arts: Schools now offer training in classic culinary techniques and pastry arts in as little as six months.

Cosmetology: Courses have evolved beyond one-year courses in hairstyling and now include shorter, specialized courses beyond hairstyling, including accelerated courses for manicures, facials, or makeup application.

Massage Therapist: A massage therapy education is typically based on hours, rather than weeks or months, of experience. Most students are ready for the exam in as little as 300 hours and certified after 1,000 hours--about the equivalent of six months of full-time work.

Pharmacy Technician: Pharmacy Technicians can receive on-the-job training, but employers favor candidates who have completed a formal education and certification process.

Jerry Collins, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of ComputerTraining.com says he's already seeing an increase in inquiries. "As the recession has spread, we've seen more and more people looking for new career choices, rather than simply waiting for an old job that might never return," he said. "Even people who have earned college degrees for their former jobs are retraining for opportunities created by changing technology."

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