Nadine Paitich Appointed HealthEast Home Care Executive

ST. PAUL, MN--(Marketwire - January 8, 2008) - HealthEast Home Care announced today that Nadine Paitich has been named its new Home Care Executive.

As Home Care Executive, Paitich's time will be spent developing and delivering initiatives that improve quality measures, reflect best practices and help address community based health challenges.

Paitich, a 16-year veteran of HealthEast, has served for 13 of those years in the Home Care division. She assumed a variety of leadership roles focused on quality improvement, clinical services and specialty care. In January 2007 she was named Clinical Director, taking responsibility for its overall financial, operational and patient care operations.

"Our country's demographics are changing -- people are living longer and trying to remain vital, often while managing chronic conditions," said Paitich. "HealthEast is committed to offering effective programs that help individuals live independently for as long as possible."

Paitich noted that HealthEast will also continue to collaborate with legislative leaders in identifying priorities on issues such as reimbursement rates (to keep pace with inflation) and technology usage (which can reduce hospitalizations and efficiently use limited resources).

HealthEast Home Care provides a wide array of services including nursing care, rehabilitation services, infusion therapy pharmacy, wound care and perinatal programs and the HealthAlert emergency response system. The team (comprised of 180 part- and full-time health care professionals) serves an average daily census of more than 450 clients.

Cathy Barr, former senior director of HealthEast Home Care and currently vice president of HealthEast Community Based Services, said, "After working with Nadine for the past nine years, I am confident that she will provide exceptional leadership as we move patient care and quality outcomes to the next level and continue our path to excellence."

Paitich holds a nursing degree from the College of St. Catherine (formerly St. Mary's College) and is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Bethel University, St. Paul.

HealthEast Care System is a community-focused, non-profit health care system that provides innovative technology, compassionate care and a full spectrum of family health services. HealthEast includes Bethesda Hospital, St. John's Hospital, St. Joseph's Hospital and Woodwinds Health Campus as well as outpatient services, clinics, pharmacies, home care and transportation services. Practicing financial responsibility, HealthEast is the largest, locally owned health care organization in the Twin Cities' East Metro with 6,700 employees and 1,400 physicians on staff.

Contact Information: Contact: Lynn Sadoff Senior Public Relations Specialist HealthEast Care System Office: (651) 326-3590 Cellular: (612) 723-8991 Pager: (651) 864-1023 (enter your 10-digit number, then press #)