[0] HVMA and Baptist St. Anthony Choose McKesson for Strategic IT Outsourcing.

Business Editors & Health/Medical Writers

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 24, 2001

McKesson Information Solutions announced today that Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, Inc. (HVMA), a large multi-specialty physician practice group in Boston, and Batpist St. Anthony's Health System, an Amarillo, Texas, health system serving the Texas panhandle and tri-state area, have each signed information technology (IT) outsourcing agreements.

Both organizations chose McKesson to oversee implementation of their strategic IT plans to improve clinical and financial decision-making while potentially saving millions in IT spending.

"At Baptist St. Anthony's, we've spent considerable time and money pursuing our goal of providing an electronic medical record to optimize quality and deliver care more efficiently," explained Phyllis Cowling, chief financial officer. "We have a solid plan in place, but to implement it effectively we must look beyond hardware and software to people and processes. Outsourcing with McKesson will help us accelerate our IT by providing a bigger, more expert resource pool and guaranteed implementation of best practices."

Cowling cited a shared vision and strong references as additional factors in Baptist St. Anthony's signing the five-year, $15.7 million outsourcing contract. "McKesson will allow us to focus on our core business while providing a good cultural fit and career growth for the IT employees."

Pursuing better and more cost-effective IT solutions led HVMA to sign a seven-year contract with McKesson, according to HVMA Chief Information Officer Ed Nazzaro. "The agreement with McKesson Information Solutions should literally save us millions of dollars from our current projected IT spending," stated Nazzaro. "We're one of the premier users of an electronic medical record and newer technology in the healthcare industry. To continue in that vein, we are embarking on major system conversions and need a strong, stable infrastructure and the people to support it. We're impressed with McKesson's broad base of knowledge and proven expertise working with a variety of products and vendors."

"HVMA and Baptist St. Anthony's are both market leaders, and their individual decision to outsource with McKesson Information Solutions demonstrates their commitments to retain those leadership positions," stated Duncan James, group president of McKesson's Strategic Solutions Group. "These new agreements are particularly significant because they validate our pledge to help customers address clinical and financial performance issues with McKesson software as well as third-party systems."

Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates is a multi-specialty medical group practice with more than 500 physicians and 14 offices in Greater Boston. Harvard Vanguard physicians and other clinicians provide service to more than 300,000 patients and the organization is affiliated with many of the top hospitals in Boston including: Brigham and Women's, Beth Israel Deconess, Mt Auburn, and Children's Hopsital. Harvard Vanguard was formed in 1998 when the physicians and clinicians of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care formed an independent, non-profit group practice.

Baptist St. Anthony's Health System (BSA) is located in Amarillo, Texas. With 2,900 employees, BSA is the third largest employer in Amarillo. Not only does BSA serve the 187,000 citizens of Amarillo, but also the 250,000 citizens of the Texas Panhandle and the tri-state area. The hospital is staffed for 405 patients beds and has more than 450 physicians on staff. From Neonatal Intensive Care to Hospice, BSA provides full healthcare coverage. Besides the main hospital, there are three patient clinics and an outpatient therapy center, home health, and an off-site surgery center.

McKesson Information Solutions is the leader in helping healthcare organizations worldwide provide quality care in the most cost-effective manner possible. Healthcare organizations use our comprehensive solutions to improve patient saftey and reduce the cost and variability of care as well as to better manage their revenue stream and resources. For more information, call 1-800-981-8601 or visit the Information Solutions section of our Web site at www.mckesson.com. With revenues of $42 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2001, McKesson Corporation ranks No. 35 in the 2001 Fortune 500.