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EXHIBIT 99
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 29, 3:00 PM EASTERN TIME
PRESS RELEASE
LIFEPOINT HOSPITALS SELLS SPRINGHILL MEDICAL CENTER
BRENTWOOD, Tenn.--(BW HealthWire)--Sept. 29, 2000--LifePoint Hospitals, Inc.
(NASDAQ: LPNT - news) has signed a definitive agreement to sell the assets of
63-bed Springhill Medical Center in Springhill, LA, to Springhill Medical
Services, Inc., a local healthcare provider in Springhill. The transaction is
expected to be completed during the month of October. The terms were not
disclosed, will remain confidential, and are subject to customary conditions and
regulatory approvals.
The announcement was made today by Jim Fleetwood, Chairman and CEO of LifePoint
Hospitals, Inc.
According to Kerry Wehmeyer, CEO of Springhill Medical Center, patient care and
medical services will continue without interruption. Wehmeyer will be
transferring to another LifePoint Hospitals' facility, Bourbon Community
Hospital, in Paris, KY. Gregory J. Simmons, current CEO of Springhill Medical
Services, Inc., will be appointed as Springhill Medical Center's new CEO.
"Only after being approached by Springhill Medical Services did we consider
selling Springhill Medical Center," said Fleetwood. "We took a close look at the
needs of the Springhill community and performed the usual due diligence
activities that accompany this type of transaction. After a thorough review, we
determined that selling the hospital to Springhill Medical Services was the best
decision for the community of Springhill."
Simmons added, "At Springhill Medical Services, we are excited to have the
opportunity to provide healthcare services to our own community. The hospital
and its medical staff have established a firm foundation for providing high
quality healthcare to the Springhill community, and we look forward to
continuing that level of service. Springhill Medical Services is committed to
continuing the hospital's role as not only a strong local healthcare provider
but as a dedicated community partner."
Springhill Medical Center employs 190 professionals and is complemented with a
medical staff of nine physicians in the fields of Family Practice, Surgery,
Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, and Radiology. There are seven rotating
physicians who provide services in the fields of Orthopedics, OB/GYN, Urology,
and Ophthalmology. The medical center operates two rural health clinics, one
specialty clinic, and a 24-hour emergency room.
Springhill Medical Services, Inc. is a not-for-profit company based in
Springhill, LA. The company, founded by Dennis Robertson, Jimmy Robertson, and
Greg Simmons, manages four extended care facilities in the area with a strong
commitment to providing high quality, cost effective healthcare in its local
community.
LifePoint Hospitals, Inc. was established in May of 1999 as a spin-off to the
shareholders of HCA - The Healthcare Company, the nation's largest hospital and
healthcare system. LifePoint owns and operates 21 hospitals in non-urban areas.
In most cases, the LifePoint facility is the only hospital in the community.
LifePoint's non-urban operating strategy offers potential for significant
operational improvement by focusing on its five core values: delivering high
quality patient care, supporting physicians, creating excellent workplaces for
its employees, providing community value, and ensuring fiscal responsibility.
Headquartered in Brentwood, TN, LifePoint Hospitals is affiliated with over
6,000 professionals.
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Contact:
LifePoint Hospitals Inc., Brentwood
Paula Hutson, 615/372-8500
or
Springhill Medical Services Inc.
Greg Simmons, 318/539-5691
