Center for Diagnostic Imaging Continues National Expansion; CDI Announces Unique Partnership with St. Luke's Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri.

Business Editors & Healthcare/Medical Writers

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 8, 2002

Center for Diagnostic Imaging, Inc. (CDI), headquartered in Minneapolis, announced today plans to expand into a sixth state, Missouri. The expansion is the result of a collaboration with St. Luke's Hospital and its radiology group, Diagnostic Imaging Associates, based in Chesterfield, a suburb of St. Louis.

"Our goal is to continue to grow CDI locally and nationally, and one way we do that is through best-in-class partnerships," said CDI chief executive officer Robert Baumgartner. "St. Luke's Hospital is known as one of the top hospitals in the country, and we are pleased to be working with them and Diagnostic Imaging Associates to provide patients access to the highest quality, outpatient diagnostic imaging and care in the St. Louis area."

The partnership will provide St. Luke's physicians and patients with an additional option for MRIs, CT scans and pain management procedures in CDI outpatient facilities.

"We have partnered with CDI because they share our vision and our values," said Gary Olson, president of St. Luke's Hospital. "We believe in providing our patients with exceptional care, at a reasonable cost. CDI shares that goal, and does so utilizing the latest imaging technology and sub-specialized radiology."

CDI was founded in 1981 with the first outpatient imaging center in Minnesota. Since that time, the company has expanded into five other states with 22 imaging centers. In 2003, the company is planning up to three new locations in St. Louis, the St. Charles County area and beyond.

"Our belief is that diagnostic imaging will continue to be at the forefront of medicine," said Dr. Kenneth Heithoff, CDI founder and chairman. "And with that, CDI will continue to be at the forefront of diagnostic imaging. This means continued growth here in Minnesota and nationally."

CDI partners with premier radiologists and health systems to own and operate diagnostic imaging centers in the U.S., including Minnesota, Florida, Wisconsin, Washington and Indiana. CDI's subspecialty radiologists offer expertise in spine, musculoskeletal, head and neck, body and cardiovascular imaging. For more information about CDI, visit www.cdiradiology.com.