St. Joseph's Hospital Names Sara Criger New CEO

ST. PAUL, MN -- (MARKET WIRE) -- February 5, 2007 -- St. Joseph's Hospital, a member of HealthEast Care System, announced today that Sara Criger has been named its new CEO.

Criger, who is resigning her position as president of Fairview Ridges Hospitals and Clinics, served in a variety of leadership positions at Fairview for 16 years. In 1990, she began her career as a Clinic Administrator, then moved into the role of Assistant Director for Clinic Operations, ultimately advancing to the position of Regional Administrative Director for Clinic Operations. In 1997, she assumed responsibility as Fairview/University Medical Center's Vice President for Ambulatory Services. Criger was selected as President of Fairview Ridges Hospitals and Clinics in 2002.

Criger's previous experience in providing solid strategic direction to a growing health care provider and her leadership in successfully planning and directing a hospital expansion serves St. Joseph's goal of transforming its downtown St. Paul campus into a 21st century, state-of-the-art healing environment through its current $90 million renovation and expansion project.

HealthEast leaders also noted that Criger was selected for this opportunity based on her commitment to strategies that 1) improve patient access to care, 2) foster relationships with physicians that enhance patient and employee interactions, 3) champion technology initiatives that establish a clinical advantage, and 4) develop and grow key service lines that meet demonstrated community needs.

"It will be a privilege to work with the St. Joseph's team, sharing ideas that will support this hospital's vision to become the number one hospital in St. Paul," Criger said. "We will work diligently and purposefully to fulfill our ongoing mission of delivering the level of compassionate care this hospital is known for and to create a benchmark-for-quality organization by 2010."

Criger will begin her duties as CEO of St. Joseph's Hospital on March 12, 2007.

St. Joseph's Hospital, a member of HealthEast Care System, is Minnesota's first hospital, founded in 1853. Located in downtown St. Paul, it is the largest of the HealthEast hospitals with 401 licensed beds. The hospital is home to HealthEast Heart Care, the HealthEast Neurovascular Institute, the HealthEast Kidney Stone Institute, and HealthEast Bariatric Care, and provides a comprehensive range of medical, surgical, diagnostic, and rehabilitative services, as well as mental health and chemical dependency treatment programs.

Contact Information: Contact: Lynn Sadoff Senior Public Relations Specialist St. Joseph's Hospital Member, HealthEast Care System Email Contact 651-326-3590 (o) 651-864-1023 (p) 612-723-8991 (c)