Humana and Lilly Centre for Women's Health to Sponsor New Fellowship in Women's Health and Managed Care; University of Louisville School of Nursing Faculty Member Named

Business Wire, Dec 3, 1999

LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 3, 1999--

Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) today announced a partnership with Lilly Centre for Women's Health to sponsor a new fellowship in women's health and managed care at the University of Louisville School of Nursing.

This year-long fellowship is being awarded to Marianne Hutti, DNS, WHNP-C, professor and coordinator of the women's health nurse practitioner program, in the University of Louisville School of Nursing. Dr. Hutti's research will review components of Humana's prenatal program, HumanaBeginnings, including risk assessment tools and case management processes in order to more fully understand the impact they have on improving the health of pregnant women and their babies. The evaluation will also include a cost-benefit analysis to determine the most effective use of resources.

"HumanaBeginnings has already proven to be successful in improving pregnancy outcomes. Dr. Hutti's research expertise is allowing us to prioritize the components of the prenatal program that are most effective in identifying and managing risk factors such as premature labor, gestational diabetes and high blood pressure. Risk factors such as these contribute to poor outcomes for mothers and babies," said Mitzi Krockover, M.D., Humana's vice president for women's health and preventive services. "We expect that the results of this project will be far-reaching and have significant implications for non-obstetrical case management programs as well."

An additional feature of the program is a "hands-on" experience for nursing students who wish to learn more about the role of and opportunities for nurses in the managed care setting, Dr. Krockover said.

"This program is an innovative partnership of the pharmaceutical industry, managed care and academia. By working together, we can better understand how what we do in practice can change women's lives," said Dr. Freda Lewis-Hall, director of the Lilly Centre for Women's Health in Indianapolis, Ind. "We are pleased to be able to be partners in this fellowship and look forward to sharing the results when they are finalized."

"The University of Louisville School of Nursing is honored to have been chosen for this fellowship and proud that Dr. Hutti has been named for the position. Her exceptional research and clinical teaching skills will be invaluable to the study of the HumanaBeginnings program," said Dr. Mary Mundt, dean of the University of Louisville School of Nursing. "It also enables our nursing students to see the evolving roles of nurses in a managed care setting and assess the skills they need for these positions."

Humana Inc., headquartered in Louisville, Ky., is one of the nation's largest publicly traded managed health care companies with 6 million health plan members primarily in 15 states and Puerto Rico. Humana offers coordinated health care through a variety of delivery systems -- health maintenance organizations, preferred provider organizations, point-of-service plans and administrative services products -- to employer groups, government-sponsored plans and individuals. Additional information about Humana is available at http://www.humana.com.

Lilly is a global research-based pharmaceutical corporation headquartered in Indianapolis that is dedicated to creating and delivering innovative pharmaceutical-based health care solutions, which enable people to live longer, healthier and more active lives. The Lilly Centre for Women's Health was established in January 1996 to respond to the distinct and unique health care needs of women worldwide. The Centre reaffirms Lilly's commitment to women's health by focusing its efforts and resources on research, education, advocacy, and leadership.

Special Note to Editors:

Earlier this fall, Humana issued a news release about the results of HumanaBeginnings in Humana's Louisville market. You can access the news release titled "HumanaBeginnings show prenatal program measurably improves health outcomes in newborn babies" at www.humana.com in the news release archive located under the heading "Corporate Communications."