LARRY S. SANDERS, FACHE, ELECTED CHAIRMAN-ELECT OF AMERICAN COLLEGE OF HEALTHCARE EXECUTIVES

CHICAGO, March 16, 2002—Larry S. Sanders, FACHE, chairman and chief executive officer, Columbus (Ga.) Regional Healthcare System, Inc., has been elected Chairman-Elect of the American College of Healthcare Executives, an international professional society of nearly 30,000 healthcare executives.

Sanders took office today at the Council of Regents meeting during ACHE's 45th Congress on Healthcare Management at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Chicago. As Chairman-Elect, Sanders will serve the first part of a three-year term in ACHE's consecutive chairmanship offices: Chairman-Elect, Chairman, and Immediate Past-Chairman.

Board certified in healthcare management and an ACHE Fellow, Sanders served as ACHE Governor for District 9 from 1998 to 2001. Prior to that, he was an ACHE Regent for Georgia - Area B from 1994 to 1998.

Columbus Regional Healthcare System, Inc., is a not-for-profit network of companies providing healthcare services and health education for children and adults; the system includes an acute care and teaching hospital, home health services, physician practices, and the Columbus Regional Medical Foundation. Sanders has worked within the Columbus Regional system since 1981, when he joined The Medical Center as vice president. He served as executive vice president and chief operating officer of The Medical Center from 1983 to 1986, and president and chief executive officer from 1986 to 1992. Also in 1986, Sanders became executive vice president and chief operating officer of Columbus Regional Healthcare System, Inc. He was named chairman and chief executive officer in 1989. Sanders began his career in 1974 as assistant administrator of Shallowford Community Hospital in Atlanta; from 1976 to 1981, he served as assistant administrator for Jackson-Madison County General Hospital in Jackson, Tenn.

Sanders has served in leadership positions in a variety of healthcare-related organizations. He is a former chairman of the Georgia Hospital Association and has held several leadership roles in the American Hospital Association. He is currently a member of the board of directors for VHA-Georgia, and serves on the boards of the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce and SouthTrust Bank of Columbus, N.A. Sanders is a preceptor and adjunct faculty at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. In addition, he serves as a preceptor for the Institute for Diversity in Health Management; Georgia State University, Atlanta; and the University of North Florida, Jacksonville.

Sanders received his master's degree in hospital and health administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and his bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Tennessee.

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

###