Mercy Health System Receives $1.75 Million Gift From Jack and Melba Shewmaker

Rogers, AR (December 6, 2007) - Jack and Melba Shewmaker announced at the St. Mary's Hospital Foundation Charity Ball and Auction on Dec. 1, 2007, that they will give $1.75 million to Mercy Health System of Northwest Arkansas? capital campaign to assist in the effort of creating a destination for health care in Northwest Arkansas.

The goal of the capital campaign is to raise $40 million to help build a world-class medical campus on I-540 that will change the landscape of healthcare in Northwest Arkansas. The Shewmaker's gift will finance the implementation of technology in Mercy Medical Center's diagnostic departments.

"Melba and I have long been supporters of the use of technology to enhance efficiency and quality. We are truly pleased to be able to participate with the Mercy medical community to support such a worthy effort in our home region. Lessons learned in this undertaking will have an impact over many medical communities," said Jack Shewmaker. "Mercy's vision for providing quality healthcare with a focus on patient safety and customer service will transform the delivery of medical care in our region."

In September, the Sisters of Mercy Health System ? St. Louis announced that Shewmaker joined its Board of Directors for a three-year term.

Susan Barrett, President of Mercy Health System of Northwest Arkansas, had the privilege of announcing the gift to a surprised audience of 1,200 people at the Charity Ball, after learning herself about the Shewmaker's decision earlier that evening.

"The Shewmakers are stalwarts of the Northwest Arkansas community, and we are ecstatic that they have chosen to support our vision for transforming healthcare with such a generous gift," said Barrett.

Mercy?s Chief Development Officer, Clark Ellison, said the Shewmaker's gift along with other recent gifts bring the capital campaign total to over $36 million.

"Jack and Melba Shewmaker's gift has propelled us into the final leg of fundraising for our $40 million capital campaign," Ellison said. "With their help ? and the help of so many countless others in our community who have given ? our goal is in sight."

With a March 16, 2008 anticipated opening, the $145 million Mercy medical campus will be funded through operational gains, investments and reinvestments totaling $105 million and the $40 million capital fund-raising campaign.

Mercy's 21st century medical campus will be anchored by the 350,000-square-foot Mercy Medical Center with 200 beds and emergency services. Also on the medical campus is Mercy Physicians Plaza, which will open with about 40 physicians and include a number of Mercy clinics and medical specialties.

About Mercy Health System 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, St. Mary's Hospital Foundation, 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 New Hope Road in southwest Rogers. When completed in January 2008, the campus will include a 350,000-square-foot medical center ? Mercy Medical Center ? with 200 beds and a physician office building ? Mercy Physicians Plaza ? that will feature 11 clinics and 40 physicians when it opens. The patient move date for the Mercy Medical Center will be March 16, 2008.