Kaplan Higher Education Acquires Southwest Health Career Institute

NEW YORK, June 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Kaplan, Inc. today announced that its higher education division has acquired Southwest Health Career Institute, a post-secondary institution located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The acquisition marks Kaplan's first higher education school in the state and expands the company's campuses to 76 locations in 19 states.

Southwest Health Career Institute was founded in 1993 as the Dental Auxiliary Training Academy by Don Butterfield, D.D.S., and Lyn Butterfield. Today, the school awards certificates of completion in Medical Assistant, Dental Assistant, Medical Billing and Massage Therapy. Southwest Health Career Institute enrolls approximately 200 students.

"Southwest Health Career Institute presented an attractive option for us in the Albuquerque market, given its strong management team and quality programs in fast growing allied health occupations," said Gary D. Kerber, Vice Chairman of Kaplan, Inc. and President & CEO of Kaplan Higher Education Corporation.

"Southwest Health Career Institute has always been known for its strong educational programs," said Wayne F. Zellner, CEO and Director of Southwest Health Career Institute. "This acquisition is very exciting in that it will further enable the school to provide its students with a quality education, and provide the healthcare community with well-trained professionals."

Dr. Butterfield will retire from his role at the school and will continue to practice as a full-time dentist. Wayne F. Zellner, CEO and Director of the school, will stay on as Executive Director for the school.

Southwest Health Career Institute was originally located at Osuna Road in Northeast Albuquerque, and offered a Dental Assisting Certificate Program and Continuing Education for Dental Assistants. In January 2000, the school relocated to 5981 Jefferson NE, Suite A and was renamed Southwest Health Career Institute. At that time, the school began offering certificate programs in Medical Assisting and Massage Therapy and continued its certificate program in Dental Assisting. In 2003, the Medical Billing certificate program was added.

Southwest Health Career Institute is institutionally accredited by The Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools, and is approved by the New Mexico Commission on Higher Education. Day and evening classes are structured so that most students are able to work full-time and part-time jobs while attending school.

For those who qualify, financial assistance at the school is available through Federal Pell Grants, Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans and Subsidized Federal Stafford Loans, Federal Plus Loan and other federal, state or private sources of aid.

To contact Southwest Health Career Institute, call 1-505-345-6800 or visit the website at http://www.swhci.com/

About Kaplan Higher Education

The higher education division of Kaplan, Inc. includes 76 campuses in 19 states, as well as online programs. Kaplan Higher Education offers certificate, bachelor and associate degree programs designed to provide students with the skills necessary to qualify them for employment in fields such as healthcare, business, information technology, technology, fashion and design. Kaplan, which has been helping people achieve their goals for nearly 70 years, provides educational and career services to students, schools, professionals and businesses worldwide. Kaplan is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Washington Post Company . For more information about Kaplan, please visit http://www.kaplan.com/ .