SALT LAKE CITY, Jan 04, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ — The Ensign Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: ENSG), announced today that it has acquired the underlying real estate and other operating assets of Paramount Health & Rehabilitation Center, an 85-bed skilled nursing facility in Salt Lake City. An Ensign subsidiary has been operating the facility since December of 2008 under a lease with an option to purchase. The acquisition was effective December 31, 2009.

“This acquisition reflects our deep and long-term commitment to Paramount’s local community in particular, and to the State of Utah in general,” said Derek Gasser, President of Ensign’s Utah-based Milestone Healthcare subsidiary. He added that the facility was struggling with 51% occupancy and other issues when Ensign acquired the operation in late 2008, but finished 2009 with occupancy near 70%, and is on track to be accretive to earnings in the fourth quarter of 2009. “We have more work ahead of us, but we are very pleased with the facility’s progress and the community’s response thus far,” he affirmed.

The acquisition also included rights to 14 additional Medicaid beds, which Ensign has elected to temporarily “bank” with the State of Utah.

Paramount was acquired from a family that had built and successfully operated the facility for many years, and then leased it to other operators, only to see it falter under Ensign’s predecessor. “We are honored that the former owners would entrust their family’s legacy to us, and we are committed to restoring the standards and reputation they established at Paramount,” said Christopher Christensen, Ensign’s President and Chief Executive Officer.

Ensign also acquired Emmett Care & Rehabilitation Center, a 72-bed skilled nursing facility in Emmett, Idaho, and Parke View Rehabilitation & Care Center, an 86-bed skilled nursing facility in Burley, Idaho, on January 1, 2010. The Burley property included approximately 8,000 square of commercial office space, which is leased to various tenants. The Idaho purchases, like the Salt Lake City purchase, were made with cash.

Mr. Christensen reaffirmed that Ensign is actively seeking additional opportunities to acquire both well-performing and struggling long-term care operations across the Western United States. The two acquisitions and one option exercise bring Ensign’s growing portfolio to 79 facilities, 49 of which are Ensign-owned. Ensign affiliates hold purchase options on eight of the 30 leased facilities.

About Ensign(TM)

The Ensign Group, Inc.’s independent operating subsidiaries provide a broad spectrum of skilled nursing and assisted living services, physical, occupational and speech therapies, hospice services, and other rehabilitative and healthcare services for both long-term residents and short-stay rehabilitation patients at 79 facilities in California, Arizona, Texas, Washington, Utah, Idaho and Colorado. More information about Ensign is available at http://www.ensigngroup.net.

SOURCE The Ensign Group, Inc.

http://www.ensigngroup.net

(Hartford, Conn.) – Hartford Hospital has appointed Michael D. Nailor, Pharm. D., as an Infectious Diseases Clinical Specialist. In this role, Dr. Nailor will work closely with physicians in the prevention of infections and the treatment of infectious diseases. Such diseases include the H1N1 influenza (Swine Flu), seasonal influenza, HIV/AIDS and MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphyloccous aureus).

“Hartford Hospital is delighted to add Michael Nailor to our staff of expert clinical pharmacists,” said Michael Rubino, Director of Pharmacy at Hartford Hospital. “An infectious diseases pharmacist is unique to the region and further demonstrates our commitment to the safety of our patients and quality of our care.”

Clinical pharmacists play a critical role in patient care, as they provide expertise in identifying the most effective pharmacologic treatment for individual patients. In addition, they ensure the safety of combining medications, while minimizing the risk of adverse reactions. Pharmacists with expertise in infectious diseases are of particular significance, as they work with physicians to prevent antibiotic resistance and to treat infections.

Dr. Nailor joins Hartford Hospital from Detroit Receiving Hospital, where he served as an Infectious Diseases Clinical Specialist. He completed residency training at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor, Mich. and UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, Calif. Dr. Nailor received his doctorate of pharmacy from the University of California in San Francisco and a bachelor’s degree from California State University in Bakersfield, Calif.

Dr. Nailor holds a faculty appointment as a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Connecticut, School of Pharmacy. He has authored numerous national publications and abstracts pertaining to the treatment of infectious diseases. He resides in Manchester.

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Aug 11, 2009 – The LA Times (in conjunction with ProPublica.org)

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The United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals represents 16,000 nurses and other health care professionals. UNAC/UHCP is affiliated with the National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees, AFSCME, and the AFL-CIO.

Cleveland, Ohio (Aug. 10, 2009)­­ – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – The Boards of the Sisters of Charity Health System and the Cuyahoga Joint Venture today announce a change in the leadership structure at St. Vincent Charity Hospital. Under this new structure, the Sisters of Charity Health System will directly manage St. Vincent Charity Hospital with Sister Judith Ann Karam, CSA, president and CEO of the health system also serving as the president and CEO of the hospital.

In collaboration with St. Vincent leadership, medical staff and caregivers, the team will move forward a new strategic vision for the hospital, developing its campus, medical staff, clinical technology and off-site network of health facilities while continuing its more than 144 years of faith-based, high-quality health care service to this community. This new leadership structure also will allow for improved efficiencies, reduced costs and access to system-level executive expertise.

Additionally, as a result of the restructuring, the Sisters of Charity Health System announces the promotion of Joan K. Ross as chief operating officer for St. Vincent. Ross comes to St. Vincent from Providence Hospitals based in Columbia, South Carolina, where she served as senior vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer since 2006. Providence Hospital was founded by the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine in 1938 through mortgaging their motherhouse in Lakewood and is now the leading cardiovascular center in South Carolina. At Providence, Ross developed a culture of patient safety by eliminating silos and enhancing communication across departments.

As the COO, Ross will be responsible for daily operations at St. Vincent Charity Hospital and report to Sister Judith Ann Karam. “We are excited about the dedication to high-quality patient care and service excellence that Joan will bring to St. Vincent and look forward to having her on our leadership team,” says Karam. “She has exhibited a dedication to patient care centered on compassion, respect and accountability.”

“St. Vincent has a long-standing tradition of providing quality health care as a part of the Cleveland community,” said Ross. “I embrace Sister Judith Ann’s vision for St. Vincent’s and look forward to helping to lead the renaissance. I have developed a deep fondness for the core values on which we base our delivery of care to our patients,” she said. “It is because of this commitment to patient care, which I value greatly, that I have accepted this new role within the Sisters of Charity Health System.”

A native of Lorain, Ohio, Ross returns to Northeast Ohio after having spent most of her 25-year career in nursing and health care administration at hospitals in Columbus, Virginia and at Providence. “I grew up in Northeast Ohio and am excited to return to the community where my father, siblings and extended family still live,” said Ross. She will assume her new role on Sept. 14.

With the restructuring of the president and CEO position, Jeffrey S. Jeney will be leaving the organization after years of service to both St. Luke Medical Center and St. Vincent Charity Hospital. Although Mr. Jeney was offered other positions within the health system, he chose to leave to pursue other options in his career. Under his leadership, the hospital most recently opened a new state-of-the-art Emergency Department and a year ago completed a new specialized Psychiatric Emergency Department, one of only two in the state of Ohio. He and the Capital Campaign Committee exceeded the goal for raising dollars needed for these two projects. St. Vincent was recently given a Premier Award for Quality, ranking it in the top one percent of hospitals nationally for quality.

“We are thankful for Jeff’s faith-filled commitment to the mission of the Sisters of Charity Health System and his focus on high-quality, compassionate care for all over his years of service,” said Karam. “Through all of his years of service, his care for our hospital family was outstanding.  We regret deeply his departure from our healthcare system and wish him the very best in his future.”

Currently, St. Vincent Charity Hospital is a part of the joint venture between the Sisters of Charity Health System and University Hospitals of Cleveland. In March of this year, the two Members announced the signing of a nonbinding letter of intent to restructure the assets of the joint venture which, when finalized, will result in the Sisters of Charity Health System becoming the sole  Member of St. Vincent Charity Hospital and Mercy Medical Center in Canton. The two Members of the current joint venture will continue their present Member relationship at St. John West Shore Hospital in Westlake under the management of University Hospitals of Cleveland.

The transaction to restructure the assets of the joint venture is expected to close by the end of this year. Since April, by agreement of the joint venture and its Board, the Sisters of Charity Health System has taken an active role in planning the strategic vision for the future of St. Vincent Charity Hospital. A similar arrangement is in effect for University Hospitals of Cleveland at St. John West Shore Hospital.

The president and CEO of the Sisters of Charity Health System and St. Vincent Charity Hospital, Karam has served in health care since 1962 as Pharmacy Technician, Pharmacist and health care administrator and as CEO of hospitals in Cleveland, Canton and South Carolina.  She has been President and CEO of the Sisters of Charity Health System since July 1998. A Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives, she serves in numerous health care and community roles. She is a 1986 graduate of Leadership Cleveland and served nine years on the Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization.

Since 1851, the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine have been serving the Cleveland community becoming the first public health nurses visiting the sick in their homes. In 1865, they founded St. Vincent Charity Hospital, where the first open-heart surgery was performed in the Midwest. Today, St. Vincent is home to the outstanding Spine and Orthopedic Institute, Center for Bariatric Surgery, Joslin Diabetes Center, behavioral health services community outreach services, “medical home” delivery model for urban health care and graduate medical education programs in Internal Medicine, General Dentistry and Podiatric Surgery.

JOHNSTON COUNTY, N.C. -

RALEIGH, N.C. – Johnston Health and Rex Healthcare today announced that they have joined together to enhance the services offered to cancer patients in eastern Wake and Johnston counties. Under the partnership, patients will be able to receive radiation therapy in two locations: the Johnston Health Medical Mall in Smithfield, and the medical office building on the campus of Johnston Medical Center-Clayton, now under construction on N.C. 42 West.

Until now, radiation therapy was not offered by Johnston Health cancer services-only chemotherapy treatment was provided. “Now patients who require radiation therapy who live in and around Johnston County will not have to travel longer distances to receive the services they need,” says Kevin Rogols, president and CEO of Johnston Health.

“Patients sometimes need daily treatments over an eight-week or longer period. And that often means family members have to take time off from work or make other arrangements to drive loved ones to distant appointments,” Rogols said. “In partnership with Rex Healthcare-the region’s premier provider of cancer services, our hospital will deliver the very best cancer care to area residents.”

“Providing quality care in a community setting has been a strong Rex tradition for more than 115 years,” said David Strong, president of Rex Healthcare. “The Rex Cancer Center is well known for caring for patients, not only through the latest technology and treatments for cancer, but also with compassion and support throughout each patient’s journey. Rex Healthcare’s affiliation with the nationally recognized N.C. Cancer Hospital and the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center in Chapel Hill means the highest level of care for patients. Through Rex and UNC, patients will have access to all the latest treatment options and clinical trials available.”

For more information about Johnston Health, visit johnstonhealth.org. For more information about Rex Healthcare, visit rexhealth.com.

About Johnston Health
Johnston Health is a new health care system that includes Johnston Medical Center-Smithfield (formerly Johnston Memorial Hospital) and Johnston Medical Center-Clayton, which is opening this fall. The public, nonprofit hospital is licensed for 199 beds. With a mission to improve the health of the people in our communities, Johnston Health operates an outpatient surgical center in Clayton as well as specialty and primary care doctors’ practices in Clayton, Kenly and the communities of Cleveland and McGee’s Crossroads.

About Rex Healthcare
Rex Healthcare, a member of UNC Health Care, is a private, not-for-profit health care system, with 4,400 employees. Rex Healthcare has 665 beds (433 general acute beds, six inpatient hospice and 226 skilled nursing) and treats more than 26,000 inpatients each year. Rex offers dedicated centers for women, cancer, post acute rehabilitation and skilled nursing care, heart and vascular, same-day surgery and wellness, plus dedicated clinics for pain management, heartburn, wound care, sleep disorders, diabetes education and state-of-the-art emergency services. Rex provides various healthcare services throughout Wake County with facilities in Cary, Apex, Garner, Knightdale, Wakefield and downtown Raleigh. Rex is also the first hospital in the Triangle, and one of only 10 in North Carolina, to receive Magnet Recognition, which places Rex nurses among the top 2 percent in the country. In 2008, Rex was listed as one of the nation’s 100 Top Hospitals® by Thomson Reuters Healthcare. In addition, Rex was named a Thomson Reuters Performance Improvement Leader — one of only 16 hospitals in the country to make both Thomson Reuters lists. Rex also was named one of the top 100 (#15) Best Places to Work in Healthcare by Modern Healthcare magazine.

On Thursday April 30, Northwestern Connecticut Community College (NCCC) will be holding a Public Forum on the feasibility of establishing an Associate Degree in Nursing (Registered Nurse) program at the College. The Forum will be held at 4:30 pm in the Draper Center located on the first floor of the library building. Currently, Dr. Susan Abbe is conducting a formal study to determine if the establishment of a sixth associate degree nursing program, within the Connecticut Community College System, is desirable as a means for addressing Connecticut’s nursing shortage. This study is funded through the generosity of the Foundation for Community Health, Sharon, CT.

Each year, NCCC has approximately 75 students who categorize themselves as “pre?nursing,” and complete all but their nursing courses at NCCC. About a dozen of those students are accepted into the nursing program at Naugatuck Valley Community College while others must apply elsewhere, including out?of?state. Realizing the shortage of nurses in Connecticut, NCCC began to raise private funds in 2007 and currently has $900,000 in community pledges and
donations.

We invite all members of the public, and especially those in the health care fields, as well as students and potential students to attend this Public Forum. Input from all constituencies is crucial to our successful planning for the future. Refreshments will be served.

For further information about this Public Forum, please contact President Barbara Douglass, at (860) 738?6406 or by e?mail at bdouglass@nwcc.commnet.edu.

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Obama’s call for nurses creates opportunities for nurses in response to the health care crisis and nursing shortage, making today an excellent time to attend nursing school.

Seattle, Washington (PRWEB) July 22, 2009 — According to All Nursing Schools, the need for more efficient and affordable health care at a time when the economy is struggling and the baby boomer population is aging, makes health care reform crucial. With the health care crisis being felt by American families, President Obama’s call for “comprehensive” health care(1) comes at a great time for nurses.

There has been a nursing shortage for years, and, in response, registered nursing is anticipated to be one of the hottest jobs over the next several years(2). This, coupled with the fact that one of President Obama’s goals for the health care reform is to hire more nurses, makes today an excellent time to wear scrubs to work.

All Nursing Schools provides comprehensive and up-to-date nursing career and education resources for both students and professionals looking to advance their nursing education. Among the in-depth nursing education offerings, All Nursing Schools gives students a firsthand look into nursing careers and jobs, guidance on the wide diversity of nursing fields students can pursue, and important industry data–such as salary and how the recent federal stimulus bill affects the nursing shortage.

“There is so much opportunity in the health care and nursing fields today,” says Dana Larsen, career researcher for All Nursing Schools. “Whether students want to be a travel nurse, surgical nurse or neonatal nurse–or are just looking to earn more money in their current nursing career–All Nursing Schools can help them find informative and up-to-date career and nursing education resources to help them take advantage of nursing career stimulus opportunities.”

About All Nursing Schools
All Nursing Schools is a comprehensive online publisher of accredited nursing degree programs and nursing career resources. Since 2001, All Nursing Schools has been helping match millions of highly qualified prospective students with the schools that best meet their educational needs. All Nursing Schools strives to be the finest resource available to prospective students and nurses, and is one of several unique Web sites owned by All Star Directories, Inc.

About All Star Directories, Inc.
All Star Directories, Inc. is one of the Internet’s fastest growing publishers of online and career school directories, matching millions of highly qualified prospective students with the schools that best meet their education needs. Recently, Inc. Magazine ranked All Star among the fastest growing companies in the country, and the Puget Sound Business Journal has recognized the company as one of Washington state’s fastest growing companies for five consecutive years. From leading research institutions to fast-growing online and for-profit schools, nearly 6,000 featured schools trust All Star Directories as the authority in online student recruitment. The All Star network of sites focuses on a wide range of fields including All Allied Health Schools, All Art Schools, All Business Schools, All Education Schools, All Psychology Schools, All Criminal Justice Schools, All Computer Schools and All Nursing Schools. Please visit www.allstardirectories.com or call 1-888-404-8043 for more information.

(1) National Nurses Organizing Committee, 2009.
(2) Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2009.

Press Contact:
Doug Rosenberg
(888) 404-8043

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Software helps hospital comply with Joint Commission standards

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jul 20, 2009 – Bellevue, WA — Pharmacy OneSource, Inc., software as a service provider to more than 1,300 hospitals in the United States, announced today that Shelby Baptist Medical Center has implemented UnitStock for tracking medication storage inspections for 27 hospital units.

“In the pharmacy department at Shelby Baptist Medical Center we are committed to providing the highest quality care to the patients and customers we serve. We are excited about the implementation of UnitStock and the potential it offers to elevate the level of service we provide,” said Carin Rutland, PharmD, Director of Pharmacy at Shelby Baptist Medical Center. “The implementation of UnitStock is one more step in our ongoing goal of providing the best possible service to those who depend on us.”

UnitStock is a documentation and reporting application that assists Shelby Baptist Medical Center in meeting the Joint Commission standards for storage of medications in nursing units, clinics, and operating rooms.

Shelby pharmacists and pharmacy technicians can document unit inspections quickly via the web or on a handheld device. Managers and administrators can run real-time reports to easily see which units have been inspected, view the completed inspection reports, and monitor trends in compliance by unit and by criteria. UnitStock has fully integrated email capability so completed inspections are automatically emailed to nurse managers and others, eliminating paper completely from the inspection process.

Shelby Baptist Medical Center is also using Amplifi to manage, update, and communicate their formulary online. As well, Amplifi effectively and swiftly communicates vital patient safety info, plus policies and procedures, throughout the entire organization

About Pharmacy OneSource (www.pharmacyonesource.com)

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Quest for Quality Prize Recognizes Leadership and Innovation in Quality, Safety and Patient Care

Contact:
Elizabeth Lietz, AHA - (202) 626-2284
James Larkin, McKesson - (415) 983-8736

Washington D.C. (Monday, July 20th 2009)

Three U.S. hospitals were recognized today for their leadership and innovation in quality, safety and commitment to patient care.  The 2009 American Hospital Association-McKesson Quest for Quality Prize® was awarded to Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo, Mich., which will receive $75,000.  Bronson Methodist Hospital, a 380-bed hospital serving patients and communities in southwest Michigan and northern Indiana, was selected by a multi-disciplinary committee of health care quality and patient safety experts based on its culture of quality and efforts to achieve the Institute of Medicine’s six quality aims for health care.  Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston was honored as the finalist and will receive $12,500.  Duke University Hospital in Durham, N.C., received the Citation of Merit.

The American Hospital Association-McKesson Quest for Quality Prize is presented annually to honor leadership and innovation in quality, safety and commitment to patient care. The prize is supported by grants from the McKesson Foundation and McKesson Corporation.  The criteria for the 2009 award include the demonstration of an organizational commitment to achieving the Institute of Medicine’s six quality aims – safety, patient-centeredness, effectiveness, efficiency, timeliness and equity.  One goal of the award is to honor organizations that are making progress in quality improvement on all six aims and that offer models that can be replicated by others in the hospital field.  Relevant learnings and key elements for achieving progress that have stood out among the current and past honorees include recognizing that organizational leadership is critical, that what is measured is what gets attention and that patient and family involvement is integral to quality improvement.

“As the nation focuses on health care reform, hospitals know one of the best ways to help control costs is to improve the efficiency, safety and effectiveness of care provided to patients and the community,” Rich Umbdenstock, AHA president and CEO.  “Each hospital recognized today has taken a slightly different path in its efforts to improve quality and patient care, but they are all moving toward the same goal.  Their innovation and commitment to quality improvement highlight that every day, hospitals are leading the way to better health and health care.”

“In keeping with our commitment to improving quality, safety and efficiency throughout the healthcare system, McKesson Corporation and the McKesson Foundation are proud to support the American Hospital Association-McKesson Quest for Quality Prize,” said John H. Hammergren, chairman and CEO of McKesson Corporation. “On behalf of all of our employees, I am pleased to recognize these three institutions for standing above their peers in delivering on the IOM’s six quality aims.”

Prize Winner: Bronson Methodist Hospital – Kalamazoo, Mich.
Bronson Methodist Hospital, a Baldrige Award winner and past AHA-McKesson Quest for Quality Citation honoree, focuses intensely on quality improvement and instilling a sense of this commitment throughout the entire hospital.  Bronson has engaged all staff members from hospital leadership to front-line caregivers in efforts to improve patient-centered care, timeliness, efficiency and effectiveness.

• Bronson hospital encourages patients and their families to talk with doctors, nurses and other caregivers about the care a patient receives, knowing that patient-centered care is critical to improving quality.  Employees at Bronson also are encouraged to speak out if they have concerns about care that’s being provided and the staff receive the support and assistance necessary to improve care.
• In addition, Bronson actively involves patients and family members on hospital committees and teams that focus on improving patient care.
• Multidisciplinary teams review patient care practices and identify opportunities for improvement, which reinforces personal and organizational commitment and accountability to care improvement.

Finalist: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center – Boston

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) has set a goal of eliminating all preventable harm by 2012 and has emphasized leadership and transparency to help the hospital move toward that important goal.  BIDMC’s strong values of reliability, safety, effectiveness, patient-centeredness and equity are reinforced throughout the organization.

• BIDMC has focused on individual accountability as a way to improve care.  All staff are encouraged to identify areas for quality and improvement and BIDMC provides training and follow-up to help ensure sustained care improvement.
• Developing strong community relationships and being accountable to their community are an integral part of BIDMC’s approach to improving care.  The hospital’s leadership team is committed to being completely transparent with their community and publicly shares information on patient safety and quality improvement issues.

Citation of Merit:  Duke University Hospital – Durham, N.C.
Engaging front-line caregivers and sharing information about patient safety are the cornerstones of Duke University Hospital’s (DUH) commitment to care improvement.  Senior leadership also is strongly involved in quality and safety efforts, emphasizing strong physician and nurse team leadership.

• Duke University Hospital’s Safe Choices program brings together hospital leadership with employees from the various hospital departments to talk about how each individual action can lead to care improvement.  The program reinforces personal responsibility, helping employees see that identifying safety improvement opportunities is part of each staff member’s job.
• DUH brings together collaborative, interdisciplinary patient care teams based on the needs of the individual patient.  A patient resource manager helps organize the interdisciplinary team and works with the patient and family to help them understand their role in the care process.

About AHA

The AHA is a not-for-profit association of health care provider organizations and individuals that are committed to the improvement of health in their communities. The AHA is the national advocate for its members, which includes more than 5,000 member hospitals, health systems and other health care organizations, and 38,000 individual members. Founded in 1898, the AHA provides education for health care leaders and is a source of information on health care issues and trends.

About McKesson Corporation

McKesson Corporation (NYSE: MCK), currently ranked 18th on the FORTUNE 500, is a healthcare services and information technology company dedicated to helping its customers deliver high-quality healthcare by reducing costs, streamlining processes and improving the quality and safety of patient care.  McKesson is the oldest company in healthcare today and will mark 175 years of continuous operation in 2008. McKesson provides pharmaceutical and medical-surgical supply management across the spectrum of care; healthcare information technology for hospitals, physicians, homecare and payors; hospital and retail pharmacy automation; and services for manufacturers and payors designed to improve outcomes for patients.  For more information, visit us at www.mckesson.com.

About McKesson Foundation

The McKesson Foundation supports community-based programs and services aimed at improving the health status of at-risk children and adults.  The Foundation is funded by McKesson Corporation, a healthcare services and information technology company dedicated to helping its customers deliver high-quality healthcare by reducing costs, streamlining processes and improving the quality and safety of patient care.

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FRANKLIN, Tenn., Mar 31, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Community Health Systems, Inc. (NYSE: CYH) today announced that the partnership units of its subsidiaries (Triad-Denton Hospital GP, LLC and Triad-Denton Hospital, LP) in a partnership that owns Presbyterian Hospital of Denton, in Denton, Texas, and other related hospital assets, have been sold to Texas Health Resources and its affiliate. Texas Health Resources was a minority partner in the limited partnership that owns the 255-bed hospital and exercised a right to purchase the 80 percent ownership interest held by the two Company subsidiaries. Texas Health Resources subsequently filed suit over terms of the transaction. A settlement was initially reached on December 23, 2008, which settled all claims and resolved the lawsuit. The closing was effective on March 31, 2009.Located in the Nashville, Tennessee suburb of Franklin, Community Health Systems, Inc. is the largest publicly-traded hospital company in the United States and a leading operator of general acute care hospitals in non-urban and mid-size markets throughout the country. Through its subsidiaries, the Company currently owns, leases or operates 120 hospitals in 29 states with an aggregate of approximately 18,000 licensed beds. Its hospitals offer a broad range of inpatient and surgical services, outpatient treatment and skilled nursing care. In addition, through its QHR subsidiary, the Company provides management and consulting services to over 150 independent non-affiliated general acute care hospitals located throughout the United States. Shares in Community Health Systems, Inc. are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CYH.”

Statements contained in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual future events or results may differ materially from these statements. Readers are referred to the documents filed by Community Health Systems, Inc. with the Securities and Exchange Commission, specifically the most recent filings which identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, including execution of our growth, acquisition, and business strategies. These and other applicable risks are summarized under the caption “risk factors” in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

SOURCE: Community Health Systems, Inc.

Community Health Systems, Inc.
Investor Contact:
W. Larry Cash, 615-465-7000
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
or
Media Contact:
Tomi Galin, 615-628-6607
Vice President of Corporate Communications