For immediate release

CHARLES R. EVANS, FACHE, ELECTED TO AMERICAN COLLEGE OF HEALTHCARE EXECUTIVES BOARD OF GOVERNORS

CHICAGO, February 28, 2004—Charles R. Evans, FACHE, president, Southeast Division, HCA, Alpharetta, GA, has been elected to serve on the Board of Governors of the American College of Healthcare Executives, an international professional society of 30,000 healthcare executives.

Evans took office today at the Council of Regents Meeting during ACHE's 47th Congress on Healthcare Management at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. He will serve a three-year term representing ACHE affiliates on ACHE’s Board of Governors, the authority that oversees ACHE operations and member services.

Since 2001, Evans has been president of HCA's Southeast Division, which includes 14 hospitals and 9 surgery centers throughout Georgia plus 9 facilities in the Carolinas. Before being named to his current position, Evans served as president for a number of other HCA entities, including the MidAmerica Division, Nashville, TN, from 1998 to 2000; the North Carolina Division, Raleigh, from 1996 to 1997; First Coast Health Network, Jacksonville, FL, from 1995 to 1996; and Memorial Medical Center Jacksonville (FL) from 1989 to 1994.

From 1980 to 1989, Evans held positions of increasing responsibility at Community Hospitals Indianapolis, including associate director of Professional Services and administrator, Gallahue Mental Health Center, and executive vice president of Community Health Services, Allied Services Division. His tenure at Community Hospitals Indianapolis culminated in his being named executive vice president and chief operating officer in 1986. Evans began his executive career at CMSU Mental Health/Mental Retardation/Drug & Alcohol Program, Danville, PA, starting as a program director and later serving as administrator. Prior to that, he worked as a counselor and social worker at ARIN Intermediate Unit in Kittanning, PA.

Evans serves on the boards of directors of the Georgia Hospital Association, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, and West Virginia Wesleyan College, where he is also an adjunct faculty member. He is vice chairman of the Emory/HCA Partnership Board of Directors. In addition, Evans is a member of the American Hospital Association, the South Carolina Hospital Association, the Federation of American Hospitals, and the Georgia Association of Healthcare Executives.

Board certified in healthcare management and an ACHE Fellow, Evans received his master's degree in business administration from the Indiana University School of Business, Bloomington; his master's degree in counseling services from Indiana University of Pennsylvania; and his bachelor's degree from West Virginia Wesleyan College, Buckhannon.

CONTACT: Deborah A. Labb, (312) 424-9426

###