EMORY AFFILIATE HEALTH NETWORK FORMS GEORGIA 1ST, INC.; RUSS TOAL TO HEAD GEORGIA 1ST, INC.

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 3, 1995--The Emory University System of Health Care (EUSHC), its affiliated hospitals across the state, and the Medical College of Georgia Hospitals and Clinics have formed Georgia 1st, Inc., designed to be a statewide network of physicians and hospitals. The initiative will include development of comprehensive provider networks offering a "one-stop" opportunity to contract for health care services throughout the state to HMOs, PPOs, insurance carriers and self-insured employers.

"We will bring to the market within the next few months a geographically broad network of quality providers to meet the needs of Georgians anywhere in the state," said Ken Beverly, board chairman of Georgia 1st and president and chief executive of Archbold Medical Center in Thomasville. "It is an exciting proposition for all of us."

The organizing members of Georgia 1st have committed funds to its initial capitalization. The group adopted a strategic business plan late last year and elected a board of directors this month. Serving as board officers are Ken Beverly, Thomasville, chairman; Bill Richardson, Tifton, vice chairman; Dee Russell, M.D., Rome, secretary; and Dick Dwozan, Demorest, treasurer. Russ Toal, former director of corporate services for the Emory System, is president and chief executive officer of Georgia 1st.

Rein Saral, M.D., president of EUSHC and a member of the executive committee of Georgia 1st, sees development of the statewide network as a significant step for the Emory System and other participating providers. "Our goal is to provide cost-effective, quality health care services on a statewide basis," said Dr. Saral. "We believe Georgia 1st is an appropriate response to the changing health care needs in the region."

RUSS TOAL TO HEAD GEORGIA 1ST, INC.

Russ Toal has been named president and chief executive officer of Georgia 1st, Inc., the Emory affiliate health network initiative. Since January 1994, Toal has served as director of Corporate Health Services of the Emory University System of Health Care (EUSHC).

Georgia 1st will be a statewide network of physicians and hospitals, formed by EUSHC, its affiliated hospitals across the state, and the Medical College of Georgia. The initiative will include development of comprehensive provider networks offering a "one-stop" opportunity to contract for health care services throughout the state to HMOs, PPOs, insurance carriers and self insured employers.

Rein Saral, M.D., president of EUSHC and a member of the executive committee of Georgia 1st, sees development of the statewide network as a significant step for the Emory System and other participating providers. "We believe this is an appropriate response to changing health care needs, and we are fortunate to have someone of Russ Toal's caliber leading the effort," said Dr. Saral.

"Russ brings to Georgia 1st demonstrated abilities in management and health care administration," said Ken Beverly, chairman of the board of directors of Georgia 1st and president and chief executive officer of Archbold Medical Center in Thomasville. "We are confident that he will successfully guide the development of Georgia 1st as a geographically broad network capable of providing cost-effective, quality health care services anywhere in the state."

Before joining Emory, Toal served as commissioner of the Department of Medical Assistance, where he was responsible for the planning, management and administration of Georgia's $3.2 billion Medicaid program. He was a member of the executive committee of the State Medicaid Directors Association and served on the Governor's Commission on Health Care. Toal is a member of the national advisory committee of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Practice Sites Initiative on State Primary Care Development Strategies. He holds a master of public health in health administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

CONTACT: Emory Health Sciences News, Atlanta

Sarah Goodwin, 404/727-5686