Calumet Surgery Center to Grow; Becomes Surgical Hospital of Munster

Grand Opening of Nine-bed Hospital Set for March 11

MUNSTER, IN - March 7, 2008 - Calumet Surgery Center, which has served the Northwest Indiana area for more than 20 years, will become Surgical Hospital of Munster, a physician-owned hospital, this month. Surgical Hospital of Munster will celebrate its grand opening on March 11, 2008, from 6 to 8 p.m. Town Council President Helen Brown will speak at the opening.

The new hospital, which features all private rooms in a contemporary, light-filled environment, will provide advanced, patient-focused care including general surgery, orthopedic, spine, GI, ENT, ophthalmology, gynecology, urology, pain management, family practice and internal medicine. Sixty-seven physicians with extensive training in their specialties will practice at Surgical Hospital of Munster.

The hospital features four operating room suites, a GI procedure room and nine patient rooms. Surgical Hospital of Munster is adjacent to the Hammond Clinic, where many of its physicians practice. The hospital will employ a staff of 50 with one nurse for every three patients. All nurses are advanced cardiac life support (ACLS)-certified.

"We can take care of our patients the way we would want to be cared for - with the finest physicians, a friendly, knowledgeable, and experienced staff in a patient-focused setting," says Chief Operating Officer Denise Cheek, RN. "Our nurses are excited about providing personalized care due to the low patient-nurse ratio. That’s the real reason we went into nursing: to spend time with our patients and give great care!"

Surgical Hospital of Munster also offers radiology/diagnostic imaging, laboratory, respiratory therapy and rehabilitation services.

"When Calumet Surgery Center opened 20 years ago, we were pioneers then and we’re continuing the tradition," says Dr. Carl Levy, general surgeon and president of the Surgical Hospital of Munster board of directors.

Regent Surgical Health, a Chicago-based developer of surgery centers and surgical hospitals, is a minority partner and manager in partnership with 30 area physicians.

"Specialty hospitals operate more efficiently, and the narrower focus of medicine helps them be efficient and cost-effective," says Regent CEO Tom Mallon. "Studies also show that quality of care improves in healthcare settings with physician ownership."

Benefits extend beyond patients. "The whole spectrum of patients, physicians, communities and healthcare industry benefit from physician-owned hospitals. Patients receive superior care, physicians experience more control over patient care, the community gains economic growth and other community healthcare facilities improve their performance because patients have more choices," says Cynthia Sanders, M.D., Board Member. "Patients will experience more amenities and a better nurse-patient ratio than at a general hospital. A physician-owned hospital also tends to draw top-quality physicians to the area to practice high demand specialties. We are pleased to have helped bring this asset to Munster."

About Surgical Hospital of Munster
A nine-bed physician-owned hospital located at 7847 Calumet Avenue, Munster, Indiana, Surgical Hospital of Munster offers the latest in advanced technology and compassionate care. The former Calumet Surgery Center has operated in Northwest Indiana for more than 20 years. Owned by 30 area physicians in partnership with Regent Surgical Health, SHM offers general surgery, orthopedic, spine, GI, ENT, ophthalmology, gynecology, urology, pain management, family practice and internal medicine procedures. For more information about Surgical Hospital of Munster, visit www.surgicalhospitalmunster.com.

About Regent Surgical Health
A buyer, developer and manager of surgery centers and physician-owned hospitals (including multi-specialtyASCs and neuro-based surgery and spine centers) Regent Surgical Health is an experienced de novo developer and turnaround specialist. With headquarters in suburban Chicago, Regent works with facilities nationwide. For more information visit www.regentsurgicalhealth.com or call 708-492-0531.