FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 17, 2006

DES MOINES, Iowa - For the eighth year in a row, consumers surveyed in the Des Moines market have voted Mercy Medical Center – Des Moines among the best in terms of nurses, doctors, overall quality and image. As a result, the National Research Corporation (NRC) has recognized Mercy as one of the nation’s top hospitals with its prestigious 2006/07 Consumer Choice Award.

NRC, located in Lincoln, Neb., surveys consumers in 186 markets across the country to determine which hospitals stand out as providing high quality services. Consumer Choice winners are determined by consumer perceptions on multiple quality and image ratings collected in the company’s annual NRC Healthcare Market Guide® study. This year, more than 200,000 households representing 400,000 consumers in the contiguous 48 states and the District of Columbia participated in the survey.

Of the 3,200 hospitals named by consumers in the study, the winning facilities rank highest in their Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau. “Consumers play an increasing role in selecting their healthcare facilities and services,” said Michael D. Hays, NRC’s chief executive officer. “As more healthcare quality information is made publicly available, we expect this trend to increase.”

Mercy understands how important consumer perception is to its continued success, and values the opinions of the patients and families it serves. “Consumer recognition of our physicians and nurses affirms the tireless dedication they give to their professions and their patients,” said Dave Vellinga, Mercy’s president and CEO. “All of Mercy’s clinical staff and associates are committed to enhancing the quality of overall care, including improved access to medical services for everyone in the communities we serve. Consumers have a choice where they receive their healthcare, and we are truly honored when they choose Mercy.”