Capella Health

FRANKLIN, TN. (January 2, 2015) – Capella Healthcare, Inc. announced today that it has acquired ownership interest in Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center and its related outpatient services following the closing of a transaction with subsidiaries of Community Health Systems, Inc. (NYSE: CYH).

The effective date of the transaction is January 1, 2015. Local physicians continue to own an interest in the hospital.

“We’re pleased to welcome Carolina Pines Medical Center to the Capella Healthcare family,” said Michael Wiechart, President and Chief Executive Officer of Capella Healthcare. “We believe that our affiliation will be beneficial to both of our organizations, and are excited about our opportunity to serve South Carolinians. Our collaboration with MUSC Health in the creation of Midlands HealthONE Network uniquely positions Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center to better serve the community in this new era of healthcare.”

Midlands HealthONE Network brings together MUSC’s academic expertise, clinical excellence and commitment to education and research with Capella’s proven expertise in running community-based hospitals. The clinically integrated network, formed in November, enables partner facilities to share and better align resources to improve access to higher levels of care, jointly implement and monitor clinical protocols, and to collaborate on clinical workforce development and training to achieve the highest quality of care in the most efficient manner possible – all closer to home.

“With a rich history of community service and excellent care, Carolina Pines is an outstanding community hospital. MUSC Health is the premier academic medical center in South Carolina and one of the top performing healthcare providers in the entire nation,” Wiechart said. “We look forward to expanding the benefits of this unique partnership and changing what’s possible – together.”

“As a part of Midlands HealthONE, MUSC Health is proud to serve as Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center’s preferred partner for complex tertiary and quaternary care, giving patients seamless access to care for these services when needed, and ensuring that as much care as possible is delivered close to where patients live and work,” says Dr. Patrick J. Cawley, CEO of MUSC Medical Center.

Tim Browne, CEO of Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center, said: “We are excited to be a part of Capella Healthcare and the Midlands HealthONE Network. Our patients will have access to a phenomenal continuum of care that will be second to none.”

About Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center

At Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center in Hartsville, SC, we “care for our own, right here at home.” The facilities on our campus include a 116-bed acute care hospital and an adjoining medical office building. From routine checkups to complex, state of the art surgery, Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center is the healthcare provider of choice in our service area, which includes the counties of Darlington, Chesterfield, Lee and Marlboro. This hospital is partially owned by physicians.

About Capella Healthcare

Capella Healthcare partners with communities to build strong local healthcare systems that are known for quality patient care. Based in Franklin, Tenn., Capella owns and/or operates 14 acute care and specialty hospital facilities in seven states. With the philosophy that all healthcare is local, Capella collaborates with each hospital’s medical staff, board and community leadership to take care to the next level. The company has access to significant leadership and financial resources, investing in its family of hospitals to strengthen and expand services and facilities. The company was recognized by Modern Healthcare as one of the nation’s fastest growing health care companies in both 2012 and 2013.  

About Community Health Systems, Inc.

Community Health Systems, Inc. is one of the largest publicly-traded hospital companies in the United States and a leading operator of general acute care hospitals in communities across the country. Through its subsidiaries, the Company currently owns, leases or operates 206 affiliated hospitals in 29 states with an aggregate of approximately 31,000 licensed beds. The Company’s headquarters are located in Franklin, Tennessee, a suburb south of Nashville. Shares in Community Health Systems, Inc. are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CYH.” More information about the Company can be found on its website at www.chs.net.

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News Media Contact:
Beth B. Wright, VP-Corporate Communications & Strategic Marketing
[email protected]
(615) 764-3010

Investor Contact:
Denise Wilder Warren, EVP, Chief Financial Officer
[email protected]
(615) 764-3013