Mercy Transitions Hospice Care to Circle of Life

Rogers, AR (January 18, 2007) - Mercy Health System of Northwest Arkansas announces that it will transition its hospice service to Circle of Life Hospice toward the end of February.

The two organizations will work together to ensure a smooth transition for all of our patients who choose to be cared for through Circle of Life's hospice program. In addition, Mercy hospice co-workers have been offered the opportunity to transfer to Circle of Life. Those co-workers choosing not to take a position with Circle of Life will be offered a position at Mercy.

As a part of its agreement with Circle of Life, Mercy will assume a position on the Circle of Life Board of Directors.

Mercy's administrative team believes this move will strengthen a community resource and enhance services to Mercy patients.

"Mercy views this decision as a win-win," said George Flynn, Mercy CEO. "It allows Mercy to continue focusing on our transformation plan to our new campus while ensuring that patients who need hospice care will continue to receive quality care within Northwest Arkansas."

Circle of Life is well-respected in Northwest Arkansas for its hospice and palliative care, and Mercy is confident that Circle of Life will provide the same level of service that Mercy patients and their families are accustomed to.

"Mercy is a friend of Circle of Life and this is a great opportunity for us to work more closely with Mercy and its medical staff", said Lou Sharp, Circle of Life Executive Director.

Mercy's Home Care Services will not be affected by the Hospice transition and will continue to offer high quality services to residents of Northwest Arkansas.

Mercy Health System of Northwest Arkansas, a not-for-profit faith-based health system, provides healthcare services to residents in northwest Arkansas and southwest Missouri. The System includes St. Mary's Hospital, The Gardens at Osage Terrace Assisted Living Facility and Mercy Medical Clinics in 22 locations throughout northwest Arkansas and southwest Missouri. Mercy is currently constructing a state-of-the-art medical campus just east of Interstate 540 off of New Hope Road in southwest Rogers. When completed in 2007, the campus will include a 350,000-square-foot medical center with 200 beds and a medical office building to accommodate 90 physicians.