PHS Pacificare Hlth Sys

* Bicultural, bilingual students dedicated to pursuing careers in health care and giving back to their communities CYPRESS, Calif., Sept. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- PacifiCare Health Systems Inc. (NYSE:PHS) announced that Jose Castillo of Laredo, Texas, and Laura Pajar of La Puente, Calif., each received a $25,000 scholarship through the PacifiCare Freedom Award program. The PacifiCare Freedom Award is a $50,000 grant established by the PacifiCare Foundation to recognize individuals and organizations that, according to PacifiCare Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Howard Phanstiel, "have demonstrated a commitment to make a positive difference in our communities." This year, PacifiCare expanded its Latino Health Scholars program to include -- in addition to the seventy (70) $2,000 scholarships (*) -- two $25,000 scholarships for the most outstanding bilingual and bicultural students dedicated to pursuing careers in health care. "We received an unprecedented number of applications from students all over the country for this year's Latino Health Scholars awards, and we were impressed by not only their intelligence but also the stories they told about what inspired them to pursue careers in health care," said Russell Bennett, PacifiCare's vice president of Latino Health Solutions. "Most of all we were moved by their desire to serve their communities once they graduate. We congratulate Jose and Laura and wish them -- and all our Latino Health Scholars award winners -- the very best as they pursue their educational and career goals." Castillo, 18, graduated from Dr. Leo G. Cigarroa High School and the Dr. Dennis D. Cantu Health Science Magnet School. During the summers he enrolled in CPR and first aid certification programs, as well as a science-profession colloquium at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. He is double-majoring in Biochemistry and Spanish at Duke University and hopes to become a dentist, specializing in orthodontics. "Education civilizes, matures and prepares an individual for the future," he said. "My education will help me communicate fluently in Spanish and English with my patients and other health professionals. Furthermore, I will come back to my hometown to work and help my community where there is a vast gap between the ratio of patients in need of dental work to dentists/orthodontists, and where 98 percent of the population is Latino." Pajar, also 18, graduated from La Puente High School and is majoring in Biology/Pre-Medicine at UCLA. Her goal is to become a doctor. As a volunteer at a local hospital, she gained a wealth of experience assisting doctors and nurses in the emergency room, laboratory and pediatrics. "This volunteer program helped me grow as a person; I learned the values of commitment and responsibility," she said. "I saw the need for Spanish-speaking doctors and nurses, and I myself sometimes helped with translations. I want to become a doctor so I can help all Latinos feel comfortable going to see a doctor. Many Latinos don't see a doctor because they feel they won't be understood. This is why I feel it is my job to be a doctor so I can serve all of the Latino communities." PacifiCare has consistently grown its Latino Health Scholars program since 2003 to educate students about career opportunities for Hispanics and Latinos in the health care field. The scholarships are funded by the PacifiCare Foundation. In order to qualify for a scholarship, applicants are required to demonstrate a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better and be fluent in Spanish and English. In addition, applicants must show proof of acceptance and enrollment into an approved health care program at a university, community college or accredited technical college. Since the Latino Health Scholars program was launched in 2003, PacifiCare has awarded $356,000 in scholarships to 155 deserving students. About the PacifiCare Freedom Award The PacifiCare Freedom Award was inspired by the heroic actions of U.S. Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta who was killed last November by enemy action in Iraq. Fighting alongside his fellow marines in Falluja, Peralta, wounded by gunshots, reached out for a grenade that was hurled by an insurgent and cradled it to his body to protect others from the blast. His heroism saved the lives of five of his fellow Marines. Touched by his story and his ultimate sacrifice, PacifiCare dedicated the inaugural 2005 PacifiCare Freedom Award in honor of Sgt. Peralta. "This year, we have dedicated the PacifiCare Freedom Award on behalf of Sgt. Peralta and all of the men and women of the armed forces who have given their lives to promote freedom and liberty throughout the world," said Phanstiel. "Through the Latino Health Scholars program, we were looking for students who share the kinds of qualities exemplified by Sgt. Peralta and who demonstrate the values we cherish at PacifiCare to make people's lives better. "What counts a great deal in life is what we do for others. Sgt. Peralta's sacrifice will certainly be marked by the lives he saved and the inspiration he offers to so many. Our contribution is small by comparison, but in the years ahead will hopefully serve to ensure this man's outstanding bravery is well remembered." About PacifiCare PacifiCare Health Systems is one of the nation's largest consumer health organizations with nearly 3.3 million health plan members and approximately 11.3 million specialty plan members nationwide. PacifiCare offers individuals, employers and Medicare beneficiaries a variety of consumer-driven health care and life insurance products. Specialty plan operations include behavioral health, dental and vision, and complete pharmacy benefit management through its wholly owned subsidiary, Prescription Solutions. More information on PacifiCare Health Systems is available at http://www.pacificare.com/. * see accompanying Sept. 14 news release, "PacifiCare awards $190,000 in scholarships through the third annual Latino Health Scholars program" DATASOURCE: PacifiCare Health Systems Inc. CONTACT: Dan Miller, PHS Media Relations, +1-714-226-3726, Web site: http://www.pacificare.com/

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