Applications For 2002-2003 Lilly Reintegration Scholarship Program Now Available; Scholarships Help People With Severe Mental Disorders Reintegrate Into Society.

Business Editors, Health/Medical and Education Writers

INDIANAPOLIS--(BW HealthWire)--Oct. 18, 2001

Eli Lilly and Company has announced that applications for the 2002-2003 Lilly Reintegration Scholarship program are currently available. The application deadline is Jan. 31, 2002.

Now in its fourth year, the scholarship program helps individuals with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and related schizophrenia-spectrum disorders acquire the educational and vocational skills they need to reintegrate into society.

"With proper medical treatment and support programs, people with schizophrenia can restore their lives and become contributing members of their communities," explained Gino Santini, president of Eli Lilly and Company's U.S. operations. "Lilly wants to help people with mental illness reintegrate into society. This scholarship program is among the ways we do that."

An independent panel of judges comprised of nine psychiatric care professionals chooses the winners based on a variety of criteria, such as rehabilitation involvement and success in dealing with their disease. This past year, 76 students received scholarships, many of whom are "repeat winners" successfully continuing their education. Their level of study ranges from high school equivalency programs to graduate degrees in such areas as engineering, law, psychiatry, graphic design, social work, architecture, education and culinary arts. Winners are attending such schools as the University of Tennessee, Florida State University, Boston College, Community College of Rhode Island and the Cooking Institute of Chicago.

"Eli Lilly has made fantastic differences in my life, from advancements in treatments for my illness to easing the significant financial burden of college and greatly raising my self-efficacy by awarding me the scholarship. I am grateful for the opportunities that have been provided to me through Lilly," said Kris Atchison, a "repeat" Reintegration Scholarship winner.

"We want everyone to realize mental illness is not a life sentence of watching television, drinking coffee and smoking cigarettes all day. The new atypical anti-psychotic medications, with better side effect profiles, are keeping people in treatment and allowing them to focus on goals such as education," said Ralph Aquila, M.D., director of residential community services at St. Luke's/Roosevelt Hospital Center in New York and chairman of the scholarship judging panel. "It's great to see so many students able to take advantage of this program and make their dreams come true."

Interested applicants can call 1-800-809-8202 for more information or to receive an application.

Lilly, a leading innovation-driven corporation, is developing a growing portfolio of best-in-class pharmaceutical products by applying the latest research from its own worldwide laboratories and from collaborations with eminent scientific organizations. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind., Lilly provides answers -- through medicines and information -- for some of the world's most urgent medical needs. Additional information about Lilly is available at www.lilly.com.