For Immediate Release
January 4, 2010

Contact: Jill Fix, marketing and public relations director, Rockwood Clinic, (509) 385-1994 

Rockwood Clinic FINALIZES TRANSACTION
Physicians move forward with plans to develop integrated health care delivery system

SPOKANE, Wash. - The board of directors of Rockwood Clinic is pleased to announce it has completed its merger with CHS Washington Holdings, LLC, a subsidiary of Community Health Systems.  

“Our team maintained an aggressive pace over the last few months as we completed our due diligence and reviewed this opportunity with our shareholders and internal audiences,” said Craig Whiting, M.D., who has served as chief executive officer of Rockwood Clinic in 2009 and will now serve as chairman and president of the board of directors.  “We’re pleased to have completed the transaction and look forward to working with Deaconess Medical Center and Valley Hospital and Medical Center on advancing a new level of health care throughout the region.”  

With the completion of this transaction, Rockwood, Deaconess and Valley will now focus on developing an integrated health care delivery system that will encompass inpatient hospital care; primary care and specialty medicine physician practices; ambulatory surgery centers; urgent care facilities; outpatient physical therapy centers; and outpatient imaging, infusion and radiation therapy services.  Future service expansions are anticipated. 

“This is an exciting time for health care providers and patients alike,” added Kevin Sweeny, M.D., who rejoins Rockwood as chief executive officer (CEO) of the Clinic.  “Rockwood Clinic has been honored to care for Spokane area families for generations; we look forward to continuing – and expanding – upon that tradition for generations yet to come.” 

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