Lilly Announces Scholarship Recipients for Those Battling Severe Mental Illness
October 13 2005 - 1:00PM
PR Newswire (US)
Program helps individuals with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and
related schizophrenia-spectrum disorders reintegrate into society
INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Eleven years ago,
April Taylor was a successful schoolteacher when bipolar disorder
derailed her career and threatened to destroy her life. Now with
the help of a Lilly Reintegration Scholarship, she has returned to
school to complete a degree in the culinary arts, reclaim her life
and embark on a new and promising career -- this time as a chef.
"My life is largely a success story today thanks to treatment which
has controlled the symptoms of my bipolar disorder," said Taylor.
"I was a teacher for ten years, but after living with my diagnosis
I felt a new career path was more appropriate. I am now close to
completing my degree with the help of the Lilly Reintegration
Scholarship. I want to say thank you to the Lilly Reintegration
Scholarship committee. Thank you for giving me a second chance.
Thank you for giving me my life back." Taylor is one of 54
recipients of the 2005-2006 Reintegration Scholarships provided by
Eli Lilly and Company that allow patients with mental illness to
pursue educational and vocational skills better enabling them to
reintegrate into society, secure jobs and regain their lives. Now
in its eighth year, Reintegration Scholarship funding assists with
tuition, books and lab fees for those battling bipolar disorder,
schizophrenia and related schizophrenia- spectrum disorders. "With
the tremendous strides that have been made over the years in the
area of mental health treatment and services, more people than ever
before have the opportunity to reclaim their lives," said Deirdre
Connelly, president of Lilly USA. "For many who have had to put
their education and careers on hold while learning to manage their
symptoms, the Lilly Reintegration Scholarship is a second chance --
allowing them to obtain the education and skills necessary to
become contributing members of society. We are pleased to have been
able to help so many scholars over the past eight years; we are
proud of all their accomplishments, and we look forward to helping
many more in the years to come." Of the 54 recipients for the
2005-2006 school year, 28 (52 percent) are previous winners who are
successfully continuing their education. An independent panel of
judges made up of nine psychiatric care professionals chose the
winners. Levels of study have ranged from high school equivalency
programs to graduate degrees, with the areas of endeavor including
engineering, law, psychiatry, graphic design, social work,
architecture, education and computer sciences. Winners are
attending such schools as California Institute of Technology,
Culinary Institute of America, Boston University and The University
of Illinois. Since the program began in 1997, approximately 700
people have been awarded Reintegration Scholarships. Many are
multi-year recipients, allowing them to continue and successfully
complete their education. "The diagnosis of severe mental illness
doesn't mean the end of one's hopes and dreams. Newer medications
address the symptoms of mental illness, thereby allowing patients
to focus on continuing their lives and pursuing things like
education which previously seemed out of reach," 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. "Today, we have Lilly Reintegration
Scholarship recipients attending some of the finest learning
institutions in the country. When we began the program in 1997 we
knew there were individuals battling mental illness who had the
qualifications, skills and potential necessary to accomplish these
goals and it's inspiring to see them succeed." Lilly also announced
that applications for the 2006-2007 Lilly Reintegration Scholarship
are currently available to be downloaded at
http://www.reintegration.com/ . Applications will be accepted until
January 13, 2006. Recipients will be notified in July, 2006. About
Eli Lilly and Company Lilly, a leading innovation-driven
corporation, is developing a growing portfolio of first-in-class
and 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
http://www.lilly.com/ . C-LLY (Photo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031219/LLYLOGO )
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031219/LLYLOGO DATASOURCE:
Eli Lilly and Company CONTACT: Heather Lusk of Lilly,
+1-317-433-5600; or Della Burns of RF Binder Partners,
+1-847-318-0606
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