Adrienne Y. Crowe Named Chairperson of Catholic Healthcare West Board of Directors.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Catholic Healthcare West (CHW) announced today that Adrienne Y. Crowe has been named chairperson of the organization's Board of Directors. Ms. Crowe joined the CHW Board of Directors in 1998 and has served as vice chairperson since 2002.

Ms. Crowe's appointment comes as Catholic Healthcare West is moving to invest $5.5 billion in building improvements and technology upgrades at its 40 hospitals in California, Arizona and Nevada. The not-for-profit hospital system has also recently released its Community Need Index, which pinpoints health disparity for every zip code in the United States. CHW will use the Community Need Index to ensure that its community benefit spending is targeted to communities in the highest need.

"Serving in this capacity for a not-for-profit healthcare provider that is truly committed to improving the quality of life is one of the best ways for me to give back to the community," said Ms. Crowe. "I am honored to be a part of such a critical ministry and an organization that serves health needs regardless of a persons resources or stature."

Ms. Crowe is a retired executive of Bank of America, where she spent more than 20 years in a variety of executive roles, most recently as the senior vice president/regional vice president for the Sacramento Regional Commercial Banking Office.

"We are pleased and fortunate that Adrienne has accepted this leadership position on our Board," said Lloyd H. Dean, president/chief executive officer for CHW. "Her new role is a natural outgrowth of the expertise, guidance and contributions she has brought to our healing ministry over the past seven years."

Crowe replaces Diane Grassilli, RSM, as chairperson of the Board of Directors. Grassilli's three terms as chairperson expired in 2005. She continues to serve as a member of the Board of Directors.

Ms. Crowe holds an MBA in Finance and a BA in Sociology from the University of California, Berkeley. She was also the recipient of the Black Women of Achievement Award from the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund in 1997.

About Catholic Healthcare West

Catholic Healthcare West (CHW), headquartered in San Francisco, CA, is a system of 40 hospitals and medical centers in California, Arizona and Nevada. Founded in 1986, it is the eighth largest hospital system in the nation and the largest not-for-profit health care system in California. CHW is committed to delivering compassionate, high-quality, affordable health care services with special attention to the poor and underserved. The CHW network of more than 7,500 physicians and approximately 44,000 employees provide quality health care services during more than four million patient visits annually. In 2004, CHW provided $567 million in charity care and unsponsored community benefit. For more information, please visit our website at www.chwHEALTH.org.