FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Barb Meyer
Director of 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 RECEIVES MAJOR GIFT

St. Louis, MO (September 24, 2003) -- The newly established development program of the Sisters of Mercy Health System (Mercy) has received its first major gift: a $6 million donation from David C. Pratt, a St. Louis businessman and philanthropist. The gift is earmarked for the newly opened cancer center at St. John’s Mercy Medical Center in St. Louis.

The gift was announced at the September 24 dedication of the cancer center, which has been named the David C. Pratt Cancer Center. Mr. Pratt is challenging the community to match the gift over the next two years.

Mr. Pratt serves on the Board of Directors of the Sisters of Mercy Health System, of which St. John’s Mercy is a member. In 1969 he founded United Industries, which he built into a leading producer of insect and weed control products. He sold United Industries in 1999 and remains a consultant to the company. He also is president of Rex Realty in Clayton, Missouri, and is a minority owner of the St. Louis Cardinals. Mr. Pratt has been a generous supporter of St. Louis charities dedicated to children, healthcare and the fine arts.

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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 26,000 co-workers and 3,100 physicians who are employed or practice at Mercy facilities. Mercy is the 10th largest Catholic health care system in the United States based on net patient service revenue and is sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy–St. Louis Regional Community.

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