FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Barb Meyer
Executive Director - Corporate Communications
Sisters of Mercy Health System www.mercy.net
v: 314.628-3633
f: 314.628-3734
e: bmeyer@corp.mercy.net

Sisters of Mercy Health System Names New CEO

ST. LOUIS (January 17, 2007) – John Sullivan has been named to assume the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of the Sisters of Mercy Health System (Mercy), effective May 1, 2007. Sullivan, who currently holds the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, will succeed Ronald B. Ashworth, Mercy’s President and CEO since 1999. Ashworth announced his intention to step down last year and will become Chair of the Board of Directors May 1.

Prior to joining Mercy in March 2004, Sullivan served in executive leadership positions with Loyola University Health System and Resurrection Health Care in the Chicago area. “John has distinguished himself as an outstanding leader within Mercy,” said Sister Mary Roch Rocklage, RSM, chair of Mercy’s Sponsor Council and a member of the Search Committee. “We are fortunate to have found the ideal candidate for this role in an established and proven Mercy leader.”

Ashworth joined Mercy in 1991 as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. He will succeed Bishop Joseph Sullivan as Mercy’s board chair. “Ron will remain an active leader within Mercy, enabling us to benefit from his many years of experience and ensuring a smooth transition and continuity of our strategic direction and initiatives,” said Sister Mary Roch.

--30--

About Mercy
The Sisters of Mercy Health System (Mercy) operates hospitals, physician practices, outpatient clinics, health plans and related health and human services in a seven state area including Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. Its members include 18 acute care hospitals providing more than 4,000 licensed beds, a heart hospital, a managed care subsidiary (Mercy Health Plans), physician practices, outpatient care facilities, home health programs, skilled nursing services and long-term care facilities. Services are provided by approximately 29,500 co-workers and 4,000 medical staff members who are employed or practice at Mercy facilities. Mercy is the 9th largest Catholic health care system in the U.S. based on net patient service revenue and is sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy–St. Louis Regional Community.

###