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• 06/07/2010 CARESOUTH ANNOUNCES MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT WITH PARAMOUNT HEALTH CARE

  CARESOUTH ANNOUNCES MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT WITH PARAMOUNT HEALTH CARE
  Paramount Health Care, LLC, will be doing business as CareSouth Homecare Professionals
  
  BLOUNTSTOWN, Fla. - June 7, 2010 - CareSouth Homecare Professionals, a leader in home health care across the country and the largest privately held home health provider in Georgia, announced today that they have entered into a management agreement with Paramount Health Care, LLC. The Medicare certified agency, located at 17400 NW 5^th Street, is now doing business as CareSouth Homecare Professionals. CareSouth provides home health care services including skilled nursing, physical, occupational and speech therapy, medical social services and certified nursing assistance. The announcement was made by Norma English, Chief Operations Officer for CareSouth.

  "Our purpose is to improve the quality of human life for our patients, their families, others we serve and for those who are a part of the CareSouth family," said English. "We are excited to have the opportunity to reach out to the Blountstown community and to provide more of the kind of quality service necessary to make that purpose a reality here, not only for our patients but for those who choose to join our team of professionals. True to our purpose, we are committed to growth and will be adding clinicians to meet anticipated demand over the coming months."

  Regina S. Terry, RN, will be responsible for oversight of the agency as agency administrator. Mrs. Terry, a Blountstown resident with more than 21 years of home health care experience, was responsible for the start up of the Paramount agency.

  CareSouth has taken an aggressive stance for growth, expanding its footprint across the country.  With the purchase of the company's Panama City office in 2009, CareSouth extended its South Alabama coverage into Florida. The Blountstown agency's coverage area is adjacent to the Panama City office.

  CareSouth is a leading provider of home health services in Alabama, California, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. The company owns 16 Medicare certified home healthcare agencies and 34 individual offices and employs more than 950 individuals. CareSouth's corporate offices are based in Augusta, Georgia. For more information on CareSouth Homecare Professionals, visit www.caresouth.com or call (706) 855-5533 or toll free (800) 241-3363.

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• 05/25/2010 CARESOUTH IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HOUSTON HEALTHCARE RECEIVES MEDICARE CERTIFICATION FOR BRANCH

  CARESOUTH TO OPEN HOME HEALTH CARE BRANCH OFFICE
  CareSouth, in partnership with Houston Healthcare, receives Medicare certification, Branch ID

  WARNER ROBINS, Ga. - CareSouth, in partnership with Houston Healthcare, today announced that they have been granted Medicare certification for a home health care branch office in Warner Robins by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The office will be located across the street from Houston Medical Center at 1532 Watson Boulevard and will open in early July. The announcement was made today by CareSouth President and Chief Executive Officer, Rick Griffin.

  "This branch opening marks the beginning of what we know will be an essential and beneficial partnership for the Houston County community," says Griffin. "Providing appropriate in-home care after recovering from serious illness or injury reduces the frequency of hospital readmissions and offers a valuable service to our aging and chronically ill population."

  The partnership between CareSouth and Houston Healthcare, which began in May for the Houston Medical Center campus, was formed to provide improved access to care and coordination of care for Houston Healthcare patients and their families.

  "Home Care was one of the areas we saw as a need and potential option when we reorganized from a Hospital Authority to a private not-for-profit system last year," said Sonny Watson, Chairman, Houston Healthcare System Board of Directors, in Houston Healthcare's initial press release of April 28. "I am pleased Houston Healthcare will now have the ability to offer home care services to our patients and their families through our partnership with CareSouth."

  CareSouth is the largest privately held home health care company in Georgia and a leading provider of home health care in the country. Headquartered in Augusta, Georgia, the company provides home health care services in seven states throughout the country, offering various programs and specialized services including fall prevention, total hip and knee orthopedic rehabilitation, wound care management, pulmonary disease and cardiovascular disease management.  CareSouth is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care, Inc.  For more information, visit www.caresouth.com.

  Houston Healthcare serves the medical needs of residents in Warner Robins, Centerville, Perry, and Houston County, Georgia, as the county's largest healthcare provider for 50 years. The system includes Houston Medical Center, a 237-bed facility in Warner Robins; Perry Hospital, a 45-bed facility; Houston Heart Institute; The Surgery Center; Houston Health Pavilion; urgent care centers and outpatient services. For more information, visit www.hhc.org.

   

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• 04/28/2010 CARESOUTH NAMES KRIS FISHER REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

  Washington, Ga. - April 28, 2010 - CareSouth Homecare Professionals has named Kris Fisher, RN, as Regional Director of Operations for the home health care company's Washington division. CareSouth Chief Operating Officer, Norma English, made the announcement.
  
  "Kris has more than ten years of homecare experience," said Ms. English.  "Her recent role as assistant director of operations has prepared her for this next step in her career with CareSouth." As Assistant Director of Operations for the Washington division of CareSouth, Fisher was responsible for the fiscal and operational performance of three branch offices, serving 12 counties. Ms. Fisher received her LPN from Athens Technical College and trained at the University of South Carolina - Charleston where she received certification as a Faith Community Nurse. She attended New York Regents and received her RN in 1992. In previous employment situations, Ms. Fisher received several awards including Nurse of the Year. She has also been active in her community and has held leadership roles in Little League, 4-H Club, Boy Scouts of America, PTA, Emmaus/Chrysalis and the First United Methodist Church. CareSouth Homecare Professionals is the largest, privately owned home health care company in Georgia and a leading provider of homecare in the country with agencies in seven states. Headquartered in Augusta, Georgia, the company offers various programs and specialized services including fall prevention, total hip and knee orthopedic rehabilitation, wound care management, pulmonary disease and cardiovascular disease management. CareSouth is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care, Inc., (ACHC). For more information, visit www.caresouth.com. ###
• 04/28/2010 HOUSTON HEALTHCARE PARTNERS WITH CARESOUTH FOR HOME HEALTH CARE SERVICES

  
  For Immediate Release
  April 28, 2010
  
  Warner Robins, Ga. - Houston Healthcare and CareSouth Homecare Professionals are pleased to announce their partnership to deliver Home Health Care Services to Houston County and the communities we serve. This partnership will begin in May 2010 for the Houston Medical Center campus.

   

  "Often times our patients leave the hospital and have limited resources at home for the extra care they need in order to fully recover," states Grady W. (Skip) Philips, III, President and Chief Executive Officer for Houston Healthcare. "We are excited about our new relationship with CareSouth and are confident that our partnership with them can help to provide care for our patients just as we would while they are in our facilities. By partnering with CareSouth, we are continuing to deliver our mission of improving the healthcare of our community. This is also another step in improving access to care and coordination of care for our patients and their families."

   

  CareSouth Homecare Professionals provides home health care services in seven states throughout the country, offering various programs and specialized services including fall prevention, total hip and knee orthopedic rehabilitation, wound care management, pulmonary disease and cardiovascular disease management. The CareSouth Homecare Professionals work closely with each patient's physician to ensure they are following the orders as prescribed by the physician. CareSouth is also accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care, Inc.

   

  "Home Care was one of the areas we saw as a need and potential option when we reorganized from a Hospital Authority to a private not-for-profit system last year. I am pleased Houston Healthcare will now have the ability to offer Home Care services to our patients and their families through our partnership with CareSouth," says Sonny Watson, Chairman, Houston Healthcare System Board of Directors.

   

  "Houston Healthcare and CareSouth Homecare Professionals share the same philosophy. We are both committed to providing the highest quality health care for our patients in the most cost effective manner," says Rick Griffin, President and Chief Executive Officer for CareSouth Homecare Professionals. "In order for that to happen, it is critical that acute care providers such as Houston Medical Center and non-acute providers such as CareSouth work very closely together to optimize resources, and most importantly, optimize the care made available to the aging and chronically ill population. This innovative partnership, integrating home care into the health care continuum, is a direct result of that shared philosophy."

   

  "CareSouth in partnership with Houston Healthcare will be closing the loop on follow-up care after discharge from the hospital. We see better coordinated home care as the next step in improving outcomes and care for our community. Home Care is an important part of care delivery especially for patients with chronic illness. We often are not aware of the after care patients receive at home. If they do not receive appropriate care at home, we frequently see them readmitted to the hospital for the same condition," states Philips. "Providing care in the home is another step in meeting the needs of Every Patient, Every Time for the communities we serve."

  
  For more information contact:
  
  Diana Porter, Director Integrated Marketing Communications, CareSouth Homecare Professionals
  Phone: 706-854-7417
  Email: dporter@caresouth.com
  
  Priscilla Kennedy, Marketing & Communications Manager, Houston Health System
  Phone: 478-542-7744 
  Email: pkennedy@hhc.org
   

  
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• 04/05/2010 CARESOUTH NAMES SANDRA TATE AS REGIONAL VICE-PRESIDENT

  Augusta, Ga. - CareSouth Homecare Professionals has named Sandra Tate as Regional Vice-President of Operations. Ms. Tate will be serving alongside Regional Vice-President Kathy McKissick to oversee CareSouth's East Coast home health care agencies and will assume responsibilities for the Washington and Macon, Georgia divisions as well as all Tennessee and North Carolina locations. The announcement was made today by CareSouth's Chief Operating Officer, Norma English.
  
  "Sandra has been a great asset for CareSouth through her successful leadership of our Washington division," said Ms. English. "Her ability to lead by motivation and decisive actions made her an obvious choice for this new position."

  Ms. Tate joined CareSouth in 1995 and has more than 25 years of home health care experience. While with CareSouth, Ms. Tate served in a variety of clinical and managerial positions. Most recently, she served as regional director of operations for CareSouth's Washington, Georgia division.

  As regional director of operations, Ms. Tate was the recipient of the CareSouth 2010 Masters Incentive for Top Sales/Director Team. Her agencies earned Homecare Elite status in 2007 and 2009. She is a graduate of Clemson University with an AD of Arts in Nursing.

  CareSouth is the largest privately held home health care company in Georgia and a leading provider of home health care in the country. In addition to Georgia, CareSouth is a leading provider of home health services in Alabama, California, Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. The company owns 16 Medicare certified home health care agencies with 34 locations and employs more than 950 individuals. The company's corporate headquarters are based in Augusta, Georgia.

  For more information about CareSouth Homecare Professionals, visit www.caresouth.com or call 800-241-3363.

• 02/05/2010 CARESOUTH NAMES F. STEBIN HORNE III, EXEC VP OF CORPORATE GROWTH STRATEGIES AND LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS

  Former Macon city councilman and partner of Horne Law Group will focus on growth strategies, mergers, acquisitions, and partnerships, along with healthcare related legislative and regulatory affairs.

  
  Augusta, Ga. - F. Stebin Horne III, has been named Executive Vice President of Corporate Growth Strategies and Legislative Affairs for CareSouth Homecare Professionals, the largest privately-held home health care provider in Georgia. Prior to joining CareSouth, Mr. Horne was a partner in Horne Law Group and President of Empire State Title Company.

  In this newly created position, Mr. Horne will be responsible for oversight and coordination of business development opportunities, partnerships, growth strategies, mergers and acquisitions. In addition, he will direct specific corporate management functions relating to regulatory affairs.

  "Stebin's significant experience with state and local government activity, combined with his legal expertise, made him the prime candidate for this new role," said Rick Griffin, CEO and President of CareSouth. "Our commitment to providing more for our customers and our employees depends on our ability to grow and progress as a leading home health care provider. Stebin's work in this new role will position CareSouth to further the continued growth of our company and our programs."

  Mr. Horne was one of the youngest city councilmen ever elected in Macon, Georgia. While there he served on the Macon Water Authority and assisted in the development of new industry throughout Middle Georgia. He received his BA from the University of Georgia in 1997. He attended Oxford University in Oxford, England and Mercer University's Walter F. George School of Law, where he earned his Juris Doctorate in 2000.

  CareSouth is the largest privately held home health care company in Georgia and a leading provider of home health care in the country. In addition to Georgia, CareSouth is a leading provider of home health services in Alabama, California, Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. The company owns 16 Medicare certified home health care agencies with 34 locations and employs more than 950 individuals. The company's corporate headquarters are based in Augusta, Georgia.

  For more information about CareSouth Homecare Professionals, visit www.caresouth.com or call 800-241-3363.

• 11/23/2009 CARESOUTH HIRES LYNN KELLER AS REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT OF WESTERN OPERATIONS

  Augusta, Ga. - Lynn Keller, RN, BSN, has been hired as the Regional Vice President of Western Operations for CareSouth Homecare Professionals. The announcement was made today by CareSouth Chief Operating Officer, Norma English. As Regional Vice President, Ms. Keller will be responsible for operational oversight for CareSouth's Texas and California locations.

  "Lynn has a broad background in health care and significant home care experience," said Ms. English. "Her experience and leadership abilities will be instrumental in fostering the success and growth of our Western operations."

  In addition to an extensive background in critical care, Ms. Keller has more than 18 years of home care experience. She has held regional, divisional and Senior Vice President positions in four homecare organizations with proven successes in operational growth, development and regulatory compliance. Most recently Lynn has been conducting accreditation surveys for new and existing homecare agencies for CHAPS. Ms. Keller also holds an appointment to the National Association of Home Care's Proprietary Agency Committee.

  CareSouth is the largest privately held home health care company in Georgia and a leading provider of home health care in the country. In addition to Georgia, CareSouth is a leading provider of home health services in Alabama, California, Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. The company owns 16 Medicare certified home health care agencies with 34 locations and employs more than 950 individuals. The company's corporate headquarters are based in Augusta, Georgia.

  For more information about CareSouth Homecare Professionals, visit www.caresouth.com or call 800-241-3363.

• 10/13/2009 CARESOUTH AGENCIES NAMED 2009 HOMECARE ELITE

  AUGUSTA, Ga. - CareSouth Homecare Professionals today announced that nine of its agencies and three CareSouth managed facilities have been named 2009 HomeCare Elite ^TM, a compilation of the top performing home health agencies in the United States. This annual review identifies the Top 25 percent of agencies and further highlights the top 100 and top 500 agencies overall. Winners are ranked by an analysis of performance measures in quality outcomes, quality improvement and financial performance.

  CareSouth's Greensboro, North Carolina agency and CareSouth's managed client, St. Joseph's/Candler of Hinesville, Georgia were highlighted as top 100 agencies. Additionally, CareSouth's Lexington, North Carolina agency and CareSouth's managed client, St. Joseph's Candler of Savannah, Georgia, were highlighted as top 500 agencies. CareSouth agencies in Dothan, Alabama; Columbus and Elberton, Georgia; San Diego and Lancaster, California; CareSouth's Medcare@Home agencies in Dallas and Waxahachie, Texas and CareSouth managed client Lawrence Home Care of Westchester in Tuckahoe, New York were also named among the top home health care agencies in the United States.

  "Our CareSouth employees have committed to providing more care and service in all that they do," said Rick Griffin, CEO and President of CareSouth. "The naming of our agencies as top home health care providers in the United States is a testament to that commitment."

  The 2009 HomeCare Elite is the only performance recognition of its kind in the home health industry. The 2009 HomeCare Elite is brought to the industry by OCS, Inc., the leading provider of homecare information, and DecisionHealth, publisher of home care's most respected independent newsletter Home Health Line. The data used for this analysis was compiled from publicly available information. The entire list of the 2009 HomeCare Elite agencies can be viewed by visiting the OCS Web site at www.ocshomecare.com.

  About CareSouth

  CareSouth Health System, Inc., is the largest privately held health care company in Georgia and a leading provider of home health care in the country. In addition to Georgia, CareSouth is a leading provider of home health services in Alabama, California, Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. CareSouth owns 16 Medicare certified home health care agencies with 34 individual offices and employs more than 900 individuals. The company's corporate headquarters are based in Augusta, Georgia.

  For more information about CareSouth Homecare Professionals, please visit our Website at www.caresouth.com or call 800.241.3363.

  About OCS HomeCare

  OCS HomeCare empowers home health and hospice organizations with results-driven data intelligence, plus the largest and most accurate homecare database in the industry. Homecare providers, payers, associations, government agencies, vendors, and consultants all turn to OCS to elevate decision-making, raise the bar on results, and bring home positive outcomes. For more information about OCS HomeCare, please visit www.ocshomecare.com or call 888.325.3396.

  About DecisionHealth®

  For more than 30 years, DecisionHealth has served as the industry's leading source for news, analysis and instructional guidance with cutting edge information sources such as Part B News, Home Health Line, Medicare Compliance Alert, Inside the Joint Commission and Specialty Coders Pink Sheets. Our unique blend of award-winning on-staff journalists and unmatched access to health care executives, providers, healthcare organization managers and their revenue-cycle staffs enables us to provide solutions, tools and guidance that's relied on by nearly 100,000 home health care and specialty physician practice professionals. For more information, please visit www.DecisionHealth.com or call 877.602.3835.

• 10/12/2009 CARESOUTH LAUNCHES NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART WEBSITE

  AUGUSTA, Ga. - CareSouth Health System, Inc., the largest privately held health care company in Georgia and a leading provider of home health care in the country, announced today the launch of their newly designed website at CareSouth.com.

  "CareSouth has taken an aggressive step to move our home health care services into the forefront of the Internet space," said Rick Griffin, CEO and President of CareSouth. "We recognize that more people are seeking information online than ever before and we know the importance of having home health care information readily available. Our newly designed Website allows us to share valuable, up-to-the-minute information with our referral sources, our patients, their families and anyone seeking information about home health care. Our new content management system allows us the opportunity to update information and change content almost by the minute."

  "In keeping with our commitment to providing more trust, more results and more time," continued Mr. Griffin, "we want to make certain that we are taking advantage of the latest technology so that we can provide more communication opportunities for our clients. "

  The site, redesigned and developed by MediaSauce of Indiana, incorporates the latest video technology, Search Engine Optimization techniques, and interactive communication tools enabling users to request information, share experiences and view recent testimonials. In addition, CareSouth professionals will have the ability to blog about home health care issues, to send video links and provide access to home health care news and links with more communication tool updates planned for future iterations.

  In addition to Georgia, CareSouth is a leading provider of home health services in Alabama, California, Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. CareSouth owns 16 Medicare certified home health care agencies with 34 individual offices and employs more than 900 individuals. The company's corporate headquarters are based in Augusta, Georgia.

  For more information about CareSouth Homecare Professionals, please visit our Website at www.caresouth.com or call 800.241.3363.

• 07/15/2009 CARESOUTH HIRES BILL COOK AS SR. VP OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND SALES

  AUGUSTA, Ga. - CareSouth Health System, Inc., the largest privately held home health services company in Georgia, announced today that Bill Cook has been hired as Senior Vice-President of Business Development and Sales.

  Cook was Vice-President of Sales and Marketing for Senior Home Health where he led the effort to re-brand three small companies into one large professional organization.

  "Bill has a proven ability to build and lead top-flight sales teams," said Rick Griffin, President and CEO of CareSouth. "His expertise in strategic planning and his extensive background in the healthcare industry made him the ideal candidate for this position."

  Cook has 15 years experience in the home health arena. Prior to his work with Senior Home Health, he was Region Vice-President for Gentiva for five southern states.

  He holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Michigan State University and a Master of Business Administration Degree from Rollins College.

  Cook will relocate to CareSouth's corporate headquarters in Augusta, Georgia.

  In addition to Georgia, CareSouth Health System, Inc., is a leading provider of home health services in Alabama, California, Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. CareSouth owns 16 Medicare certified home health care agencies with 34 individual offices and employs more than 900 individuals.

  For more information about CareSouth, the Homecare Professionals, please call (706) 855-5533 or toll free (800) 241-3363.

• 07/09/2009 CARESOUTH ACQUIRES FLORIDA HOME HEALTH CARE AGENCY

  AUGUSTA, Ga. - CareSouth Health System, Inc., the largest privately held home health services provider in Georgia, announced today its acquisition of Total Home Health Care, LLC, a Medicare certified home health care agency in Panama City, Florida.

  The agency, now owned by CareSouth HHA Holding of Panama City, LLC, d/b/a CareSouth Homecare Professionals, will continue serving Bay and Gulf counties. The current administrator, Georgia Pierson, will remain as Assistant Director of Operations/Administrator and the current staff will also remain providing nursing care, physical therapy and home health aide services. Gail McCoy, RN, BSN, will assume the role of marketing manager for the agency. Kim Mathews is the Regional Director of Operations.

  The acquisition provides CareSouth a footprint into the Florida home health market and will open the way for the agency to provide additional services, such as occupational therapy, speech therapy and medical social work.

  CareSouth provides a wealth of resources to elevate the Panama City agency to the next level in home health care. The corporation maintains high standards in training and compliance and offers progressive training by way of a virtual classroom online. In December 2008 CareSouth implemented an innovative electronic medical record system allowing point-of-care access to the most current clinical information, ensuring consistent compliance throughout each patient episode.

  "As CareSouth grows, we are committed to providing superior home health care services to our patients in every market," said Rick Griffin, CEO and President of CareSouth. "We are dedicated to the commitment that every patient we serve deserves the highest quality care. We look forward to delivering the best home health care possible to our patients as well as providing exceptional service to their families and to the health care community of the Panama City area."

  CareSouth Homecare Professionals of Panama City is currently located at 1209 East 11th Street, Panama City, Florida. The local phone number is 850-522-4211.

  In addition to Georgia and Florida, CareSouth Health System, Inc., is a leading provider of home health services in Alabama, California, North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. CareSouth now owns 16 Medicare certified home health care agencies with 34 individual offices and employs more than 900 individuals. The company's corporate headquarters are based in Augusta, Georgia.

  For more information about CareSouth, the Homecare Professionals, please call (706) 855-5533 or toll free (800) 241-3363.

• 07/03/2009 CARESOUTH ANNOUNCES MEDICARE CERTIFICATION FOR MACON HOME HEALTH CARE AGENCY

  MACON, Ga. - CareSouth Homecare Professionals, the largest privately held home health services provider in Georgia, announced today that the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued Medicare certification as a home health agency for their Macon location. The agency provides medical services including skilled nursing, physical, occupational and speech therapy, medical social services and certified nursing assistance in the comfort of the patients' homes

  "Macon is my hometown," said Rick Griffin, CEO and President of CareSouth. "So, to have an agency here is a dream come true for me. I know that CareSouth will provide the good people of Macon the type of quality care and professionalism that they demand and certainly that they deserve."

  The Macon office, which will serve as the home office to CareSouth's Middle Georgia Certificate of Need (CON), is located at 1044 Washington Avenue.

  The Macon agency opened its doors to the public in April 2008 and began providing home healthcare services to patients with private insurance while awaiting Medicare certification from the CMS. A Medicare-certified agency must meet federal minimum requirements for patient care and management in order to qualify to provide Medicare and Medicaid home health services. The Medicare provider number means that the CareSouth agency has adequately met all these requirements.

  In addition to Georgia, CareSouth is a leading provider of home health services in Alabama, California, North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. CareSouth owns 16 Medicare certified home healthcare agencies and 34 individual offices. The company, which employs more than 900 individuals, also provides business services to third-party-owned home healthcare providers. CareSouth's corporate offices are based in Augusta, Georgia.

  For more information about CareSouth, the Homecare Professionals, please call (706) 855-5533 or toll free (800) 241-3363.