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VISTA HEALTH SERVICE PLAN WINS APPROVAL
Acute Mental Health and Rehabilitation Remain Open at Saint Therese

Waukegan, Ill., 6/23/05– In a vote of confidence for Vista Health's new leadership and its proposal for healthcare delivery in the north Lake Shore communities, the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board (IHFPB) today approved Vista's request to transfer all acute care services to Victory Memorial Hospital while maintaining mental health and inpatient rehabilitation services and also implementing a stand-by Emergency Room at Saint Therese Medical Center.

“The impact of this decision is very positive for our community,” said Barbara J. Martin, president and chief executive officer, Vista Health. “It allows Vista Health to continue to provide needed psychiatric and rehabilitation care without a gap in service. At the same time, it will bring a significant cost-savings opportunity by reducing duplicate services and allows us to start rebuilding financially.”

Vista Health's approach to the IHFPB was revised following continued dialogue with community members to gain a stronger understanding of their healthcare needs. Vista also worked collaboratively and positively with State Senators Terry Link and Adeline Geo-Karis, State Representative Eddie Washington, and Waukegan Mayor Richard Hyde to develop an alternative proposal for the community's healthcare needs.

“It is important for us (Vista Health) to be a strong community partner,” said Martin. “As such, we need to work closely with community leaders and government officials to find solutions that succeed for us all.”

The approved proposal calls for Vista to maintain a 25-bed rehabilitation unit and 46 youth and adult acute mental illness beds at Saint Therese. In addition, a stand-by Emergency Room will be maintained according to standards of licensing. Ancillary and clinical services, such as laboratory testing, will be provided by Victory Memorial Hospital .

All other services, including medical/surgical, ICU, and surgical services will be transferred to Victory. Level II trauma services were transferred to the Victory Memorial Hospital Emergency Department on June 15, 2005. Saint Therese Medical Center will remain an Illinois-licensed hospital.

“This decision is a milestone for Vista Health. It is a new beginning and demonstrates both the State's and the community's confidence in our ability to ensure strong and reliable healthcare services for the north Lake Shore communities,” said Martin.