Wilkes Regional Medical Center Decision Hailed as Best for Area Residents

10/4/2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Tammy G. Love

Director of Marketing & Medical Staff Development

Wilkes Regional Medical Center

Phone: (336) 651-8116

NEWS RELEASE

Subject:Wilkes Regional Medical Center Decision Hailed as Best for Area Residents

Date 10/4/06

The decision Tuesday night by the Board of Commissioners of North Wilkesboro to begin negotiations with the Wilkes Regional Medical Center Hospital Operating Corporation (WRMC-HOC) on a long-term lease to operate Wilkes Regional Medical Center has been hailed by the non-profit corporation and its partners as the best possible outcome for town of North Wilkesboro and county residents.

"The goal of our proposal was to maintain the integrity of Wilkes Regional Medical Center, while partnering with healthcare organizations that have an outstanding track record of developing clinical programs and managing the financial and operational aspects of the hospital," said Bert Hall, board chair of the WRMC-HOC. "We are pleased the board of commissioners shares our vision for the future and we look forward to providing excellent health care to our citizens for many years to come."

In a joint statement, Michael Tarwater, CEO of Carolinas HealthCare System, and Len Preslar, CEO of North Carolina Baptist Hospital, said, "We commend the board of commissioners' decision to select the Hospital Operating Corporation as the lessee because it will combine a guarantee of continued local responsibility and responsiveness with the healthcare expertise of two of North Carolina's premiere academic medical centers. We look forward to concluding the negotiations and beginning an exciting new chapter in the history of Wilkes Regional Medical Center."

Under the WRMC-HOC proposal, Carolinas HealthCare System will manage Wilkes Regional Medical Center, while Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center (North Carolina Baptist Hospital) will develop clinical programs and recruit and retain physicians in specialty areas.

"Town of North Wilkesboro officials have done an excellent job leading the community through a difficult decision process," said Ted Chapin, president and CEO of Wilkes Regional Medical Center. "Two years ago, the Board & Medical Staff approved a strategic plan that contained a vision for the future of our medical community. Carolinas Healthcare System and NC Baptist Hospital's involvement as our partners only strengthens our ability to continue the provision of quality care to our patients and enables us to turn our vision into reality."

Carolinas HealthCare System is the third largest public hospital system in the U.S. and is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. Carolinas HealthCare System manages 17 hospitals in North and South Carolina including Carolinas Medical Center, an academic teaching hospital.

North Carolina Baptist Hospital has had an active affiliation relationship with WRMC for the past twelve years. Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center is an academic health system comprised of North Carolina Baptist Hospital and Wake Forest University Health Sciences, which operates the university's School of Medicine.