DALLAS, Texas, May 13, 2013 — The American Heart Association and Macy’s have awarded 16 scholarships of $2,500 each to increase culturally-sensitive, patient-centered care.

The Go Red™ Multicultural Scholarships are part of Macy’s Multicultural Fund – which was created in 2009 to focus on increasing diversity in the medical field.  Macy’s is a founding national sponsor of the association’s Go Red For Women® and Go Red Por Tu Corazón awareness campaigns.

The scholarship program, which is in its second year, champions greater inclusion of multicultural women in medical, nursing and allied health studies to meet the need that racial minorities have of healthcare providers who understand important aspects of various cultures.

The demand on healthcare continues to increase, but the number of qualified racial and ethnic nurses and physicians lags behind:

Only 5.4 percent of African-Americans and 3.6 percent of Hispanics in the United States are registered nurses, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

In 2010, African-Americans made up only 6.7 percent of medical school graduates and Hispanics 7.5 percent, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges.

“It is extremely important to increase the availability of multicultural scholarships for minorities interested in health professions,” said Celia Trigo Besore, executive director and CEO of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses. “There are fewer sources of funding, high poverty rates among minority populations and an escalating cost of education toward a career in health fields. All these conditions increase the barriers for interested minorities to study health career at a time when there is a growing need for additional qualified health professionals of any ethnic background.”

Numerous ethnic groups — including African-Americans and Hispanics — are at higher risk for heart disease.  The Go Red Multicultural Scholarship aims to ensure women have access to healthcare providers who understand their culture and help make the best choices that lead to good health and strives to increase diversity in the healthcare industry for the future health of all women.

The 2013 scholarship recipients are:

• Mary Witherspoon: post-graduate nursing student at Chicago State University
• Azsha Matthews: undergraduate senior nursing student at Columbia University
• Nicole Sample: second-year student at NYU School of Medicine
• Whittney Work: undergraduate sophomore nursing student at Winston Salem State University
• Chiamaka Ike: senior pharmacy student at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of Pharmacy
• Nefertiti Clavon: undergraduate junior in health promotions at the University of Houston
• Raisa Garcia: post-graduate student in clinical psychology at Alliant International University
• Myo-Sabai Aye: seeking a dual M.D./M.P.H. at Eastern Virginia Medical School
• Jainty John: undergraduate senior studying to be a physician’s assistant at Le Moyne College
• Jee Hae Jones: senior nursing student at Hawaii Pacific University
• Danielle Cipres: first-year obstetrics and gynecology student in the University of California-San Francisco’s School of Medicine
• Kristine Gallardo: post-graduate student in the nursing program at Azusa Pacific University
• Sylvia Estrada: post-graduate student in the nursing program at Western University of Health Sciences
• Yuliana De los Santos: post-graduate, studying osteopathic medicine at New York College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Mariana Lucena: post-graduate student in the pharmacy program at the University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy
• Nadia Elgoghail: senior studying to be a family nurse practitioner at Columbia University

"As a proud national sponsor of the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women movement since 2004, Macy’s has raised more than $40 million to help fund life-saving research and raise awareness of this preventable disease,” said Martine Reardon, Macy’s chief marketing officer. “With the Macy’s Multicultural Fund, we are able to bring our company’s long-standing and respected history of support for diversity together with our desire to find innovative new ways to build support for heart disease prevention.”

For more information, visit GoRedForWomen.org.

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Editor’s Note: Registration for the 2013-2014 Multicultural Scholarship is open and can be accessed by visiting www.GoRedForWomen.org/GoRedScholarship

About Go Red For Women

Go Red For Women is the American Heart Association’s solution to save women’s lives. With one out of three women still dying from heart disease, we are committed to fighting this No. 1 killer that is preventable. GoRedForWomen.org, a premier source of information and education, connects millions of women of all ages and gives them tangible resources to turn personal choices into life-saving actions. We encourage women and the men who love them to embrace the cause.

About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. Our mission is to build healthier lives by preventing, treating and defeating these diseases – America’s No. 1 and No. 3 killers. We fund cutting-edge research, conduct lifesaving public and professional educational programs, and advocate to protect public health.

About Macy’s

Macy's, the largest retail brand of Macy's, Inc., delivers fashion and affordable luxury to customers at more than 800 locations in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam. Macy's stores and macys.com offer distinctive assortments including the most desired family of exclusive and fashion brands for him, her and home. Macy's is known for such epic events as Macy's 4th of July Fireworks® and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade®, as well as spectacular fashion shows, culinary events, flower shows and celebrity appearances. Building on a 150-year tradition, Macy's helps strengthen communities by supporting local and national charities that make a difference in the lives of their customers.