Hamilton Extends Murray Medical Lease
5/31/2005

Jim Hazel
517.2031

Dalton, GA – Hamilton Health Care System, Inc., the Murray County Hospital Authority and Murray Medical Center, Inc. have reached agreement on a 25-year lease of Murray Medical Center. The agreement is pending a 90-day review by the Georgia Attorney General and a public hearing.

“We have been very pleased with the performance and progress made by Murray Medical Center under Hamilton’s management,” said Rick Bagley, Hospital Authority Chairman. “This most recent agreement will provide the long-term assurance required by lenders to secure needed capital improvements.”

A master facility plan has been developed by the architectural firm, The Estopinal Group. The plan includes a multi-year schedule for facility enhancements to Murray Medical Center.

“I believe this plan will allow our hospital to make significant strides to better serve and care for the residents of Murray County,” said Gary Middleton, Chairman, Murray Medical Center’s Board of Trustees.

The recent agreement follows an initial 5-year lease of Murray Medical Center by Murray Medical Center Inc., which began in 1998 when MMCI entered into an agreement that assigned the lease previously held by Columbia/HCA for the management of Murray Medical Center. A subsequent 5-year renewal, scheduled to end in 2007, had also been exercised.

“We feel the new agreement is a win-win situation for all parties involved,” said Lamar Lyle. “On behalf of Hamilton Health Care System, we pledge our commitment to continuing to provide excellent service and quality care to Murray County.”

Murray Medical Center is a 42-bed, non-profit hospital owned by the Murray County Hospital Authority and managed by Hamilton Health Care System, Inc. based in Dalton.

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