Merit Health Systems Is Selected By Atlantic Health To Acquire Mountainside Hospital

LOUISVILLE, KY, Thursday, July 27, 2006 – Merit Health Systems, LLC, a leading private hospital management company which owns and operates several urban and suburban community hospitals across the country, today announced that Atlantic Health has agreed to negotiate exclusively with Merit the terms of a letter of intent which reflect Merit’s proposal for the potential acquisition of Mountainside Hospital, located in Montclair and Glen Ridge, New Jersey.

“We are pleased that our proposal to acquire Mountainside has been accepted by the Atlantic Health Board, and are looking forward to working closely with them to complete our continuing due diligence, negotiate definitive agreements, and obtain regulatory approval of the transaction,” said Ty Wilburn, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Merit Health Systems. “Mountainside and its surrounding communities exemplify the strong and important local connections that Merit Health Systems has always demonstrated in communities in which we own and operate healthcare facilities. At all of our hospitals, Merit Health Systems looks to work with physicians, employees and community members to help healthcare facilities reach their full potential and provide the highest quality services to our local communities.” 

About Merit Health Systems, LLC
Merit Health Systems is a private hospital management company which owns and operates urban and suburban community hospitals.  Our Company, based in Louisville, Kentucky, was founded several years ago specifically to address the significant and growing needs of community hospitals in urban and suburban markets. The Company currently owns and operates hospitals in Chicago, San Antonio, and suburban Dallas, and is actively seeking to expand our system of hospitals in urban and suburban markets around the country.  Please feel free to visit our website at www.merithealth.com for more information regarding the company.
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