AbbVie Scholarship Programs Recognize Exceptional Students Living with Chronic Inflammatory Diseases

NORTH CHICAGO, Ill., June 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- AbbVie, a global biopharmaceutical company, today announced the recipients of the AbbVie Crohn's & Colitis Scholarship and the AbbVie Rheumatology Scholarship. These scholarships provide financial support for exceptional students living with inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis; rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, as they pursue higher education goals.

AbbVie awarded 30 scholars $15,000 each for the 2016-2017 school year. Applicants for both the AbbVie Crohn's & Colitis Scholarship and the AbbVie Rheumatology Scholarship programs were evaluated and chosen based on academic excellence, community involvement, written response to an essay question and ability to serve as a positive role model for their communities.

"Chronic inflammatory diseases may bring challenges that can impact a student's pursuit of higher education," said Tracie Haas, vice president corporate responsibility, brand and communications, AbbVie. "Transforming education is a cornerstone of AbbVie's corporate responsibility practices. We are proud to honor these exceptional students and committed to providing the resources to them today, so they are prepared to succeed tomorrow."

Students living with chronic inflammatory diseases may face unique challenges as they pursue their higher education goals, including missing school and having trouble sitting for exams when they experience symptoms.^1,2 The students selected as scholarship recipients exemplify the spirit and determination needed to overcome these challenges.

Highlights from the students awarded the scholarships for the 2016-2017 academic year can be viewed by visiting www.CrohnsandColitisScholarship.com and www.RheumScholarship.com.

About the Scholarships
The AbbVie Crohn's & Colitis Scholarship is provided to students living with inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, and the AbbVie Rheumatology Scholarship is provided to students living with rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, psoriatic arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis, who are seeking a trade school diploma or an associate, undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited U.S. trade school, college or university.

For more information about this year's winners and scholarships for the 2017-2018 school year, please visit www.CrohnsandColitisScholarship.com and www.RheumScholarship.com.   

About AbbVie
AbbVie is a global, research-based biopharmaceutical company formed in 2013 following separation from Abbott Laboratories. The company's mission is to use its expertise, dedicated people and unique approach to innovation to develop and market advanced therapies that address some of the world's most complex and serious diseases. Together with its wholly-owned subsidiary, Pharmacyclics, AbbVie employs more than 28,000 people worldwide and markets medicines in more than 170 countries. For further information on the company and its people, portfolio and commitments, please visit www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on Twitter or view careers on our Facebook or LinkedIn page.

References:

1. Marri SR, Buchman AL. The education and employment status of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2005;11(2):171-177.
2. Lovell, D.J., Athreya, B., Emery, H.M., Gibbas, D.L., Levinson, J.E., Lindsley, C.B., Spencer, C.H., White, P.H. School attendance and patterns, special services and special needs in pediatric patients with rheumatic diseases: Results of a multicenter study. Arthritis & Rheumatology. 1990: 3(4):196-203.

SOURCE AbbVie

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