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November 1, 2004 - NEW HEALTH SYSTEM BEGINS OPERATIONS

Name chosen is Altoona Regional Health System CEO tells community: "We move forward with confidence and optimism."

ALTOONA, Pa. - The merger of Altoona Hospital and Bon Secours-Holy Family Hospital became official today as the two began operating as Altoona Regional Health System.

James W. Barner, president and chief executive officer of Altoona Regional, addressed local residents this morning via the Altoona Public Access television channel. He emphasized that from the time the hospitals began talking nearly two years ago, the overriding mandate was that the good of the community came first.

"We promised a new, strong system that would enhance quality, identify and meet community health care needs, offer new services when appropriate and feasible, eliminate waste and duplication, and provide greater access and choice," Mr. Barner said. "Today we begin the process of delivering on those promises."

Mr. Barner also had a message for community residents worried about their health insurance.

"The vast majority of callers to our community information line asked whether their health insurance would still be accepted after the hospitals came together," he said. "As long as the insurance was previously accepted by either hospital, it will be accepted now by Altoona Regional."

Another frequent question has been about physicians. "I am here to tell you the good news that as the hospital medical staffs come together, your choice of doctors is being expanded. More access to these highly qualified experts is undoubtedly a good thing," Mr. Barner said.

Mr. Barner also promised that Altoona Regional will use its combined resources to enhance the quality of every existing medical program, even those that are already widely recognized for excellence - from primary care to trauma care, from cardiac care to behavioral medicine, from home care to cancer treatment, from wound care to neurosciences, and from advanced diagnostic medicine to all our medical and surgical sub-specialties.

"I can also tell you that because Altoona Regional is a not-for-profit health care system, we will continue to provide medical care to our residents who genuinely cannot afford health insurance and do not have the financial ability to pay for their care," he said.

Last year alone, Altoona and Bon Secours-Holy Family hospitals provided over $12 million in free care to our community. Altoona Regional also plans to start a new foundation that will serve as a fund-raising catalyst for those in need of care, while also strengthening existing services.

He also said Altoona Regional will stay on the cutting edge of technology, so that fewer and fewer people will need to leave the community for their care.

Mr. Barner said the new health care system is committed to building a cohesive culture of customer service that consistently exceeds the expectations of patients and families.

"Altoona Regional Health System incorporates the best of both Altoona Hospital and Bon Secours-Holy Family Hospital," Mr. Barner said. "Accordingly, we will reach into the rich pasts of both institutions for wisdom as we move forward into the future with confidence and optimism."

Also this morning, the members of the new health system's board of directors held their first meeting. They and the system's new leadership team were introduced on the cable access program.

The Most Rev. Joseph V. Adamec, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, offered a prayer of blessing and guidance for the new health system, its leadership, physicians, nurses and all employees.

Sister Anne Lutz, a Sister of Bon Secours and a senior vice president for mission for Bon Secours Health System Inc., addressed the community about the Bon Secours commitment to Catholic health care and to the needs of the people in this region.

The rest of the day included get-acquainted receptions at both hospital campuses for employees to meet the new leaders.