Gary Stokes Named CEO of Tenet's East Texas Facilities

    Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

    NACOGDOCHES, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 16, 2005--Tenet's Texas-Gulf Coast Region today announced that Gary Stokes will assume the position of chief executive officer for its three East Texas facilities effective April 11. They are: Nacogdoches Medical Center, Shelby Regional Medical Center and The Surgery Center of Nacogdoches.
    "Gary brings over 27 years of quality health care experience with him, including a strong focus in strategic planning, operations and product line and medical staff development," said Robert L. Smith, senior vice president of operations for the Tenet Texas-Gulf Coast Region. "We are proud to have another administrator of his caliber join the Nacogdoches team, and are confident that his leadership skills and core strengths will positively complement and support the key initiatives within our facilities."
    Stokes most recently completed a two-year tenure as CEO of Tenet's Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center in San Luis Obispo, Calif. His past experience includes 6 1/2 years as CEO at Gulf Coast Medical Center in Biloxi, Miss., and two years as CEO at Garland Community Hospital in Garland, Texas. His other accomplishments include serving in corporate operational roles for Franciscan Sisters of the Poor Health System, Inc. and establishing and leading his own health care consulting firm.
    "I'm excited and honored by the opportunity to continue my relationship with Tenet in Nacogdoches while working with such a committed team of professionals," said Stokes. "The physicians and employees continually strive for both innovation and excellence, and together we will build upon our position as an integral part of the health care community while providing high-quality care."
    Stokes holds a master degree in health care administration from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Mo., and a bachelor of science degree in business administration from Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, Okla. He replaces Nacogdoches Medical Center's former CEO, Glenn Robinson, who left in March to become CEO of Mary Black Health Network in Spartanburg, S.C.
    Nacogdoches Medical Center, part of Tenet Texas, is a 150-bed community hospital located at 4920 Northeast Stallings Drive in Nacogdoches, Texas. The hospital has been serving the medical and health care needs of the Nacogdoches community for more than 25 years. Nacogdoches Medical Center provides a broad spectrum of medical and surgical services, including a Bariatric Center, Women's and Children's Center, Chest Pain Center and Comprehensive Rehabilitation Center. The hospital also offers cardiovascular services, emergency medical services, pulmonary services and cancer services, as well as transfusion-free medicine. Nacogdoches Medical Center is accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, the nation's oldest and largest hospital accreditation agency. To learn more about Nacogdoches Medical Center, visit www.nacmedicalcenter.com.
    Shelby Regional Medical Center, part of Tenet Texas, is a 54-bed community hospital located at 602 Hurst Street in Center, Texas. The hospital provides a broad spectrum of medical and health care services, including cardiopulmonary services, emergency care, outpatient surgery, radiology services, rehabilitation services and women's services. Shelby Regional Medical Center is accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, the nation's oldest and largest hospital accreditation agency. To learn more about Shelby Regional Medical Center, visit www.shelbyregional.com.
    Tenet Texas-Gulf Coast, a region of Tenet Healthcare Corporation (NYSE:THC), comprises 18 acute care hospitals, five specialty facilities and related services in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Facilities include Houston Northwest Medical Center, a 100 Top Hospital as rated by Solucient, a leading health care information company, five hospitals that serve the greater Dallas area, a two acute care-hospital system in El Paso and five hospitals that serve the greater New Orleans area. Tenet's hospitals aim to provide the best possible care to every patient who comes through their doors, with a clear focus on quality and service. Tenet can be found on the World Wide Web at www.tenethealth.com.

    Certain statements in this release may constitute forward-looking statements. They are based on management's current expectations and could be affected by numerous factors and are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Certain of those risks and uncertainties are discussed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's transition report on Form 10-K for the 7-month period ended Dec. 31, 2002 and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Do not rely on any forward-looking statement, as we cannot predict or control many of the factors that ultimately may affect our ability to achieve the results estimated. We make no promise to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of changes in underlying factors, new information, future events or otherwise.

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KEYWORD: TEXAS INDUSTRY KEYWORD: MEDICAL MANAGEMENT CHANGES SOURCE: Tenet Texas-Gulf Coast Region

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