SAN DIEGO, Sept. 4, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- National health services company American Specialty Health Incorporated (ASH) announced that it is teaming up with Innovista at the University of South Carolina (USC) to create a health technology innovation center that will bring new jobs to Columbia.
"As technology plays an increasingly larger role in our service capabilities, and in the day-to-day lives of people, ASH must deliver innovative and robust capabilities that will allow us to keep up with demand and also grow our services in new ways," said ASH Chairman and CEO George DeVries. "Our new office site tied to the university campus and our affiliation with USC and Innovista puts us at the center of technology innovation, and will facilitate access to a valuable pool of prospective employees as we develop new web and mobile technology applications."
ASH recently signed a lease for office space in the "IT-oLogy @ Innovista"-branded building at 1301 Gervais Street and plans to open the office in November. The new office will employ up to 15 IT professionals and will offer internships and job opportunities to students and recent graduates of the university's computing, information technology, and health sciences programs, as well as to experienced local IT professionals.
"USC places a high priority on engagement with business and industry," said university President Harris Pastides. "ASH has a national reputation for excellence in health services, and we are excited to collaborate in areas of technology innovation, while expanding the educational and employment opportunities for our students and graduates."
Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin also praised the move.
"The decision of American Specialty Health to locate to Columbia fuels our growing knowledge economy and reinforces what many already know about our capital city — Columbia is a great place to do business and provides an excellent quality of life," said Benjamin.
"ASH is thrilled to partner with leading-edge universities like the University of South Carolina," added DeVries. "We look forward to a long and successful relationship."
ASH is currently accepting applications for IT professionals to launch the new office. Interested candidates can visit www.ashcompanies.com/sc to see career opportunities and apply online, or email hr@ashn.com.
About American Specialty Health Incorporated (ASH)
American Specialty Health Incorporated (ASH) is a national health services organization that provides fitness and exercise programs, total population health programs and specialty health care management programs for health plans, insurance carriers, employer groups and trust funds. Headquartered in San Diego, with an operations center in Dallas and satellite offices in Indianapolis and Columbia, S.C., ASH has more than 900 employees and covers more than 31 million members. Additional products offered through ASH and its subsidiaries include Healthyroads®, ExerciseRewardsTM and others. For more information about ASH, visit www.ASHCompanies.com or call 800-848-3555. Follow us on Twitter at @ASHCompanies or @Healthyroads and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Healthyroads.
About Innovista
Innovista is a public/private partnership anchored by the Innovation District in the heart of Columbia, South Carolina, that connects the University of South Carolina and university-spawned innovations with entrepreneurs, businesses and stakeholders. Innovista's purpose is to attract, create, and grow technology-intensive, knowledge-based companies, resulting in higher-paying jobs that help to raise the standard of living in South Carolina. For more information, visit http://innovista.sc.edu/.
About the University of South Carolina
Founded in 1801, the University of South Carolina (USC) is a public research university offering more than 300 programs of study. USC is one of only 40 public universities to receive the Carnegie Foundation's top-tier research designation and community engagement designation. In 2011, faculty generated $227 million in funding for research and sponsored awards. USC also receives national recognition for its prestigious South Carolina Honors College and undergraduate and graduate International Business programs. Learn more at http://sc.edu.