[Federal Register: January 11, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 6)]
[Notices]
[Page 1384-1389]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr11ja10-53]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Indian Health Service
Indian Health Professions Preparatory, Indian Health Professions
Pregraduate and Indian Health Professions Scholarship Programs
Announcement Type: Initial.
CFDA Numbers: 93.971, 93.123, and 93.972.
Key Dates:
Application Deadline: February 28, 2010, for Continuing students.
Application Deadline: March 28, 2010, for New students.
Application Review: May 17-21, 2010.
Application Notification: First week of July, 2010.
Award Start Date: August 1, 2010.
I. Funding Opportunity Description
The Indian Health Service (IHS) is committed to encouraging
American Indians and Alaska Natives to enter the health professions and
to assuring the availability of Indian health professionals to service
Indians. The IHS is committed to the recruitment of students for the
following programs:
The Indian Health Professions Preparatory Scholarship
authorized by section 103 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act
(IHCIA), as amended.
The Indian Health Professions Pregraduate Scholarship
authorized by section 103 of the IHCIA, as amended.
The Indian Health Professions Scholarship authorized by
section 104 of the IHCIA, as amended.
Full-time and part-time scholarships will be funded for each of the
three scholarship programs.
II. Award Information
Awards under this initiative will be administered using the grant
mechanism of the IHS.
Estimated Funds Available: An estimated $14.0 million will be
available for FY 2010 awards. The IHS program anticipates, but cannot
guarantee, due to possible funding changes, student scholarship
selections from any or all of the following disciplines in the 103,
103P and 104 Programs for the Scholarship Period 2010-2011. Anticipated
Number of Awards: Approximately 70 awards will
[[Page 1385]]
be made under the Health Professions Preparatory and Pregraduate
Scholarship Programs for Indians. The awards are for ten months in
duration and the average award to a full-time student is approximately
$30,328. An estimated 250 awards will be made under the Indian Health
Professions Scholarship Program. The awards are for 12 months in
duration and the average award to a full-time student is approximately
$47,200. In FY 2010, an estimated $9,000,000 is available for
continuation awards, and an estimated $5,000,000 is available for new
awards.
Project Period--The project period for the Health Professions
Preparatory Scholarship support is limited to two years for full-time
students and the part-time equivalent of two years, not to exceed four
years for part-time students. The project period for the Health
Professions Pregraduate Scholarship support is limited to four years
for full-time students and the part-time equivalent of four years, not
to exceed eight years for part-time students. The Indian Health
Professions Scholarship support is limited to four years for full-time
students and the part-time equivalent of four years, not to exceed
eight years for part-time students.
III. Eligibility Information
This announcement is a limited competition for awards made to
American Indians (Federally recognized Tribal members, state recognized
Tribal members, and first and second degree descendants of Federal or
state recognized Tribal members), or Alaska Natives only. Continuation
awards are non-competitive.
1. Eligible Applicants
The Health Professions Preparatory Scholarship awards are made to
American Indians (Federally recognized Tribal members, first and second
degree descendants of Tribal members, and state recognized Tribal
members, first and second degree descendants of Tribal members), or
Alaska Natives who:
Have successfully completed high school education or high
school equivalency;
Have been accepted for enrollment in a compensatory, pre-
professional general education course or curriculum; and
The Health Pregraduate Scholarship awards are made to American
Indians (Federally recognized Tribal members, first and second degree
descendants of Tribal members, and state recognized Tribal members,
first and second degree descendants of Tribal members), or Alaska
Natives who:
Have successfully completed high school education or high
school equivalency; and
Have been accepted for enrollment or are enrolled in an
accredited pregraduate program leading to a baccalaureate degree in
pre-medicine, pre-dentistry, pre-podiatry or pre-optometry.
The Indian Health Professions Scholarship may be awarded only to an
individual who is a member of a Federally recognized Indian Tribe or
Alaska Native as provided by section 4(c), and 4(d) of the IHCIA.
Membership in a Tribe recognized only by a state does not meet this
statutory requirement. To receive an Indian Health Professions
Scholarship, an otherwise eligible individual must be enrolled in an
appropriately accredited school and pursuing a course of study in a
health profession as defined by section 4(n) of the IHCIA.
2. Cost Sharing/Matching
The Scholarship Program does not require matching funds or cost
sharing to participate in the competitive grant process.
3. Benefits From State, Local and Other Federal Sources
All other sources of outside scholarship/grant funding would be
applied to the student's accounts at the college or university and
universities before the Indian Health Service Scholarship Program would
pay any of the remaining balance.
IV. Application Submission Information
1. Address To Request Application Package
New applicants are responsible for contacting and requesting an
application packet from their IHS Area Scholarship Coordinator. They
are listed on the IHS Web site at http://www.scholarship.ihs.gov/
area_coordinators.cfm. This information is listed below. Please review
the following list to identify the appropriate IHS Area Scholarship
Coordinator for your State. Application packets may be obtained by
calling or writing to the following individuals listed below:
IHS Area Office and Scholarship Coordinator
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States/locality served Address
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aberdeen Area IHS, Iowa, Nebraska, Ms. Kim Annis, IHS Area
North Dakota, South Dakota. Scholarship Coordinator,
Aberdeen Area IHS, 115 4th
Avenue, SE, Aberdeen, SD
57401, Tele: (605) 226-7466.
Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Ms. Brianne Island, Alternate:
Alaska. Mr. Joe Mupkip, IHS Area
Scholarship Coordinator, 4000
Ambassador Drive, Anchorage,
AK 99508, Tele: (907) 729-
1913, 1-800-684-8361 (toll
free).
Albuquerque Area IHS, Colorado, New Ms. Cora Boone, IHS Area
Mexico. Scholarship Coordinator,
Albuquerque Area IHS, 5300
Homestead Road, NE,
Albuquerque, NM 87110, Tele:
(505) 248-4418, 1-800-382-3027
(toll free).
Bemidji Area IHS, Illinois, Indiana, Mr. Tony Buckanaga, IHS Area
Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin. Scholarship Coordinator,
Bemidji Area IHS, 522
Minnesota Avenue, NW, Room
209, Bemidji, MN 56601, Tele:
(218) 444-0486, 1-800-892-3079
(toll free).
Billings Area IHS, Montana, Wyoming.... Mr. Delon Rock Above,
Alternate: Ms. Bernice Hugs,
IHS Area Scholarship
Coordinator, Billings Area
IHS, Area Personnel Office,
P.O. Box 36600, 2900 4th
Avenue, North, Suite 400,
Billings, MT 59103, Tele:
(406) 247-7215.
California Area IHS, California, Hawaii Ms. Mona Celli, IHS Area
Scholarship Coordinator,
California Area IHS, 650
Capitol Mall, Suite 7-100,
Sacramento, CA 95814, Tele:
(916) 930-3981, ext. 311.
Nashville Area IHS, Alabama, Arkansas, Ms. Gina Blackfox, Alternate:
Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Ms. Lori Rowton, IHS Area
Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Scholarship Coordinator,
Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nashville Area IHS, 711
New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Stewarts Ferry Pike,
North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Nashville, TN 37214, Tele:
Rhode Island, South Carolina, (615) 467-1575.
Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West
Virginia, District of Columbia.
[[Page 1386]]
Navajo Area IHS, Arizona, New Mexico, Ms. Roselinda Allison,
Utah. Alternate: Ms. Aletha John,
IHS Area Scholarship
Coordinator, Navajo Area IHS,
P.O. Box 9020, Window Rock, AZ
86515, Tele: (928) 871-1358 or
1360.
Oklahoma City Area IHS, Kansas, Ms. Larissa Walker, IHS Area
Missouri, Oklahoma. Scholarship Coordinator,
Oklahoma City Area IHS, 701
Market Drive, Oklahoma City,
OK 73114, Tele: (405) 951-
3970, 1-800-722-3357 (toll
free).
Phoenix Area IHS, Arizona, Nevada, Utah Ms. Bonnie Lang, IHS Area
Scholarship Coordinator,
Phoenix Area IHS, 1616 Indian
School Road, 360E,
Phoenix, AZ 85016, Tele: (602)
248-1480 ext. 4127.
Portland Area IHS, Idaho, Idaho, Ms. Laurie Veitenheimer,
Oregon, Washington. Alternate: Mr. Don Hornback,
IHS Area Scholarship
Coordinator, Portland Area
IHS, 1220 S.W. Third Avenue,
Room 440, Portland, OR 97204-
2892, Tele: (503) 326-6983 or
2021.
Tucson Area IHS, Arizona, Texas........ Ms. Bonnie Lang, (See Phoenix
Area).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Content and Form Submission
Each applicant will be responsible for submitting a completed
application (Forms IHS-856-1 through 856-8) and one copy to their IHS
Area Scholarship Coordinator. Electronic applications are being
accepted for this cycle. Go to www.scholarship.ihs.gov for more
information on how to apply electronically. The application will be
considered complete if the following documents (original and one copy)
are included;
Completed and signed application Checklist.
Original signed complete application form IHS-856 (for
continuation students-Data Sheet in place of IHS-856).
Current Letter of Acceptance from College/Proof of
application to Health Professions Program.
Official transcripts for all colleges (or high school
transcripts for applicants who have not taken college courses).
Cumulative GPA: Applicant's calculations.
Applicant's Documents for Indian Eligibility.
A. If you are a member of a Federally recognized Tribe or Alaska
Native (recognized by the Secretary of the Interior), provide evidence
of membership such as:
(1) Certification of Tribal enrollment by the Secretary of the
Interior, acting through the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA
Certification: Form 4432-Category A or D, whichever is applicable); or
(2) In the absence of BIA certification, documentation that you
meet requirements of Tribal membership as prescribed by the charter,
articles of incorporation or other legal instrument of the Tribe and
have been officially designated as a Tribal member as evidenced by an
accompanying document signed by an authorized Tribal official, or
(3) Other evidence of Tribal membership satisfactory to the
Secretary of the Interior.
B. If you are a member of a Tribe terminated since 1940 or a State
recognized Tribe and first or second degree descendant, provide
official documentation that you meet the requirements of Tribal
membership as prescribed by the charter, articles of incorporation or
other legal instrument of the Tribe and have been officially designated
as a Tribal member as evidenced by an accompanying document signed by
an authorized Tribal official; or other evidence, satisfactory to the
Secretary of the Interior, that you are a member of the Tribe. In
addition, if the terminated or state recognized Tribe of which you are
a member is not on a list of such Tribes published by the Secretary of
the Interior in the Federal Register, you must submit an official
signed document that the Tribe has been terminated since 1940 or is
recognized by the state in which the Tribe is located in accordance
with the law of that state.
C. If you are not a Tribal member but are a natural child or
grandchild of a Tribal member you must submit: (1) Evidence of that
fact, e.g., your birth certificate and/or your parent's birth
certificate showing the name of the Tribal member; and (2) evidence of
your parent's or grandparent's Tribal membership in accordance with
paragraphs A and B. The relationship to the Tribal member must be
clearly documented. Failure to submit the required documentation will
result in the application not being accepted for review.
Note: If you meet the criteria of B or C you are eligible only
for the Preparatory or Pregraduate Scholarships.
Two Faculty/Employee Evaluations with original signature.
Reasons for Requesting the Scholarship.
Delinquent Debt Form.
2010 W-4 Form with original signature.
Course Curriculum Verification with original signature.
Acknowledgement Card.
Curriculum for Major.
Health Professions Applicants Only:
Health Related Experience (MPH only)--Optional Form.
3. Submission Dates and Times
Application Receipt Date: The application deadline for new
applicants is Sunday, March 28, 2010.
Applications (original and one copy) shall be considered as meeting
the deadline if they are received by the appropriate IHS Area
Scholarship Coordinator on the deadline date or postmarked on or before
the deadline date. Applicants should request a legibly dated U.S.
Postal Service postmark or obtain a legibly dated receipt from a
commercial carrier or U.S. Postal Service. Private metered postmarks
will not be acceptable as proof of timely mailing and will not be
considered for funding. Once the application is received, the applicant
will receive an ``Acknowledgement of Receipt of Application'' (IHS-815)
card that is included in the application packet. Applications received
after the announced closing date will be returned to the applicant and
will not be considered for funding.
4. Intergovernmental Review
Executive Order 12372 requiring intergovernmental review is not
applicable to this program.
5. Funding Restrictions
No more than 5% of available funds will be used for part-time
scholarships this fiscal year. Students are considered part-time if
they are enrolled for a
[[Page 1387]]
minimum of six hours of instruction and are not considered in full-time
status by their college/university. Documentation must be received from
part-time applicants that their school and course curriculum allows
less than full-time status. Both part-time and full-time scholarship
awards will be made in accordance with 42 CFR Parts 136.320, 136.330
and 136.370 incorporated in the application materials; and for Health
Professions Scholarship Program for Indians.
6. Other Submissions Requirements
New applicants are responsible for using the online application or
contacting and requesting an application packet from their IHS Area
Scholarship Coordinator. Continuation students are also encouraged to
use the online application process; however, the Division of Grant
Operations will also mail continuation students an application packet.
If you do not receive this information please contact your IHS Area
Scholarship Coordinator to request a continuation application.
Continuing students must submit a complete application (original
plus one copy) and meet the deadline of Sunday, February 28, 2010;
there will be no exceptions.
V. Application Review Information
1. Criteria
Applications will be reviewed and scored with the following
criteria:
Needs of the IHS (health personnel needs in Indian
Country) (30 points):
Applicants are considered for scholarship awards based on their
desired career goals and how these goals relate to current Indian
health personnel needs. Applications for each health career category
are reviewed and ranked separately.
Academic Performance (40 points):
Applicants are rated according to their academic performance as
evidenced by transcripts and faculty evaluations. In cases where a
particular applicant's school has a policy not to rank students
academically, faculty members are asked to provide a personal judgment
of the applicant's achievement. Health Professions applicants with a
cumulative GPA below 2.0 are not eligible for award.
Faculty/Employer Recommendations (30 points):
Applicants are rated according to evaluations by faculty members,
current and/or former employers and Tribal officials regarding the
applicant's potential in the chosen health related professions.
Stated Reasons for Asking for the Scholarship and Stated
Career Goals (30 points):
Applicants must provide a brief written explanation of reasons for
asking for the scholarship and of their career goals. The applicant's
narrative will be judged on how well it is written and its content.
Applicants who are closest to graduation or completion of
training are awarded first. For example, senior and junior applicants
under the Health Professions Pregraduate Scholarship receives funding
before freshmen and sophomores.
Priority Categories
The following is a list of health professions that will be
considered for funding in each scholarship program in FY 2010.
Indian Health Professions Preparatory Scholarships:
A. Pre-Clinical Psychology (Jr. and Sr. undergraduate years).
B. Pre-Dietetics (Jr. and Sr. undergraduate years).
C. Pre-Medical Technology (Jr. and Sr. undergraduate years).
D. Pre-Nursing.
E. Pre-Occupational Therapy.
F. Pre-Pharmacy.
G. Pre-Physical Therapy (Jr. and Sr. undergraduate years).
H. Pre-Social Work (Jr. and Sr. undergraduate years).
Indian Health Professions Pregraduate Scholarships:
A. Pre-Dentistry.
B. Pre-Medicine.
C. Pre-Podiatry.
D. Pre-Optometry.
Indian Health Professions Scholarship:
A. Chemical Dependency Counseling: Baccalaureate and Master's
Level.
B. Clinical Psychology: PhD Program.
C. Dental Hygiene: B.S.
D. Dentistry: D.D.S. and D.M.D.
E. Diagnostic Radiology Technology: Certificate, Associates and
B.S.
F. Dietitian: B.S.
G. Environmental Health & Engineering: B.S.
H. Health Records: R.H.I.T. and R.H.I.A.
I. Medical Technology: B.S.
J. Medicine: Allopathic and Osteopathic.
K. Nurse: Associate and Bachelor Degrees and advanced degrees in
Psychiatry, Geriatric, Women's Health, Pediatric Nursing, Nurse
Anesthetist, and Nurse Practitioner.
(Priority consideration will be given to Registered Nurses employed
by the IHS; in a program conducted under a contract or compact entered
into under the Indian Self-Determination Act and Education Assistance
Act (Pub. L. 93-638) and its amendments; or in a program assisted under
Title V of the IHCIA.)
L. Occupational Therapy: B.S. or Masters.
M. Optometry: O.D.
N. Pharmacy: Pharm.D.
O. Physician Assistant: PA-C.
P. Physical Therapy: M.S. and D.P.T.
Q. Podiatry: D.P.M.
R. Respiratory Therapy: BS Degree.
S. Social Work: Masters Level only (Direct Practice and Clinical
concentrations).
T. Ultrasonography (Prerequisite: Diagnostic Radiology Technology).
2. Review and Selection Process
The applications will be reviewed and scored by the IHS Scholarship
Program's Application Review Committee appointed by the IHS. Each
reviewer will not be allowed to review an application from his/her area
or his/her own Tribe. Each application will be reviewed by three
reviewers. The average score of the three reviews provides the final
Ranking Score for each applicant. To determine the ranking of each
applicant, these scores are sorted from the highest to the lowest
within each scholarship, health discipline, date of graduation, and
score. If several students have the same date of graduation and score
within the same discipline, computer ranking list will randomly sort
and will not be sorted by alphabetical name. Selections for
recommendations to the Director, IHS, are then made from the top of
each ranking list to the extent that funds allocated by the IHS among
the three scholarships are available for obligation.
VI. Award Administration Information
1. Award Notices
It is anticipated that continuing applicants will be notified in
writing during the first week of June and new applicants will be
notified in writing during the first week of July 2010. An Award Letter
will be issued to successful applicants. Unsuccessful applicants will
be notified in writing, which will include a brief explanation of the
reasons the application was not successful and provide the name of the
IHS official to contact if more information is desired.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
Regulations at 42 CFR Part 136.304 provide that the IHS shall, from
time to time, publish a list of health professions eligible for
consideration for the award of Indian Health Professions Preparatory
[[Page 1388]]
and Pregraduate Scholarships and Indian Health Professions Scholarship.
Section 104(b)(1) of the IHCIA, as amended by the Indian Health Care
Amendment of 1988, Public Law 100-713, authorizes the IHS to determine
specific health professions for which Indian Health Scholarships will
be awarded.
Awards for the Indian Health Professions Scholarships will be made
in accordance with 42 CFR 136.330.
Recipients shall incur a service obligation prescribed under
section 338A of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 2541) which
shall be met by service:
(1) In the IHS;
(2) in a program conducted under a contract or compact entered into
under the Indian Self-Determination Act and Education Assistance Act
(Pub. L. 93-638) and its amendments;
(3) in a program assisted under Title V of the Indian Health Care
Improvement Act (Pub. L. 94-437) and its amendments; or
(4) in a private practice option of his or her profession, if the
practice (a) is situated in a health professional shortage area,
designated in regulations promulgated by the Secretary of Health and
Human Services (Secretary) and (b) addresses the health care needs of a
substantial number (51%) of Indians as determined by the Secretary in
accordance with guidelines of the Service.
Pursuant to the Indian Health Amendments of 1992, (Pub. L. 102-
573), a recipient of an Indian Health Professions Scholarship may, at
the election of the recipient, meet his/her active duty service
obligation prescribed under section 338A of the Public Health Service
Act (42 U.S.C. 2541) by a program specified in options (1)-(4) above
that:
(i) Is located on the reservation of the Tribe in which the
recipient is enrolled; or
(ii) Serves the Tribe in which the recipient is enrolled.
In summary, all recipients of the Indian Health Professions
Scholarship are reminded that recipients of this scholarship incur a
service obligation. Moreover, this obligation shall be served at a
facility determined by the Director, IHS, consistent with IHCIA, Public
Law 94-437, as amended by Public L. 100-713, and Pub. L. 102-573.
3. Reporting Scholarship Program Minimum Academic Requirements
It is the policy of the IHS that a scholarship recipient awarded
under the Health Professions Scholarship Program of the Indian Health
Care Improvement Act maintain a 2.0 cumulative grade point average
(GPA) each semester/quarter and maintain full-time student status
(minimum of 12 credit hours considered by your school as full-time). A
recipient of a scholarship under the Health Professions Pre-Graduate
and Health Professions Preparatory Scholarship authority must maintain
good academic standing each semester/quarter and be a full time student
(minimum of 12 credit hours or the number of credit hours considered by
your school as full-time). In addition to the two requirements stated
above, a Health Professions Scholarship program grantee must be
enrolled in an approved/accredited school for a health professions
degree. Part-time students for the three scholarship programs must also
maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA and must take at least six credit hours
each semester/quarter but less than the number of hours considered
full-time by your school. Scholarship grantees must be approved for
part-time status at the time of scholarship award. Scholarship grantees
may not change from part-time status to full-time status or vice versa
in the same academic year.
The following reports must be sent to the IHS Scholarship Program
at the identified time frame. Each scholarship grantee will be provided
with an IHS Scholarship Handbook where the needed reports are located.
If a scholarship grantee fails to submit these reports as required,
they will be ineligible for continuation of scholarship support and
scholarship award payments will be discontinued.
A. Recipient's Enrollment and Initial Progress Report
Within thirty (30) days from the beginning of each semester or
quarter, scholarship grantees must submit a Recipient's Enrollment and
Initial Progress Report (Form IHS-856-10, page 63 of the student
handbook).
B. Transcripts
Within thirty (30) days from the end of each academic period, i.e.,
semester, quarter, or summer session, scholarship grantees must submit
an Official Transcript showing the results of the classes taken during
that period.
C. Notification of Academic Problem/Change
If at any time during the semester/quarter, scholarship grantees
are advised to reduce the number of credit hours for which they are
enrolled below the minimum of the 12 (or the number of hours considered
by their school as full-time) for a full-time student or at least six
hours for part-time students; or if they experience academic problems,
they must submit this report (Form IHS-856-11, page 65 of the student
handbook).
D. Change of Status
Change of Academic Status
Scholarship Grantees must immediately notify the IHS Area
Scholarship Coordinator and their Scholarship Program Analyst if they
are placed on academic probation, dismissed from school, or voluntarily
withdraw for any reason (personal or medical).
Change of Health Discipline
Scholarship Grantees may not change from the approved IHS
Scholarship Program health discipline during the school year. If an
unapproved change is made, scholarship payments will be discontinued.
Change in Graduation Date
Any time that a change occurs in a scholarship grantee's expected
graduation date, they must notify their IHS Area Scholarship
Coordinator immediately in writing. Justification must be attached from
the school advisor.
VII. Agency Contacts
Please address application inquiries to the appropriate IHS Area
Scholarship Coordinator. Other programmatic inquiries may be addressed
to Dr. Dawn Kelly, Chief, Scholarship Program, 801 Thompson Avenue,
Suite 120, Rockville, Maryland 20852; Telephone (301) 443-6622. (This
is not a toll-free number). For grants information, contact the Grants
Scholarship Coordinator, Division of Grants Operations, Indian Health
Service, 801 Thompson Avenue, Suite 120, Rockville, Maryland 20852;
Telephone (301) 443-0243. (This is not a toll-free number.)
VIII. Other Information
The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the
health promotion and disease prevention objectives of Health People
2010, a PHS-led activity for setting priority areas. This program
announcement is related to the priority area of Education and
Community-Based Programs. Potential applicants may obtain a copy of
Healthy People 2010, (Full Report; Stock No. 017-001-00474-0) or
Healthy People 2010 (Summary Report, Stock No. 017-001-00473-1) through
the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office,
Washington, DC 20402-9325 [Telephone (202) 783-3238].
Interested individuals are reminded that the list of eligible
health and allied professions is effective for applicants for
[[Page 1389]]
the 2010-2011 academic year. These priorities will remain in effect
until superseded. Applicants for health and allied health professions
not on the above priority list will be considered pending the
availability of funds and dependent upon the availability of qualified
applicants in the priority areas.
Dated: December 29, 2009.
Yvette Roubideaux,
Director, Indian Health Service.
[FR Doc. E9-31374 Filed 1-8-10; 8:45 am]
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