FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 19, 2005

(DES MOINES, Iowa) — Mercy Medical Center-Des Moines announces Peter Makowski has accepted the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Makowski joins the Des Moines hospital after serving as President and Chief Executive Officer of Mercy Medical Center-Sioux City since 2001.

“My experience with Peter has proven him to be a skilled leader with a special gift for developing relationships with physicians, staff and community leaders,” says David Vellinga, President and CEO of Mercy Medical Center-Des Moines and CEO of Mercy Health Network, which includes hospitals in Des Moines, Sioux City, Mason City, Dubuque and Clinton. “I feel privileged to have an executive of his caliber join our team.”

Under Makowski’s leadership, Mercy Medical Center-Sioux City received many honors, including recognition in March as “Distinguished Hospital” for Outstanding Patient Experience by J.D. Power and Associates. Mercy was one of 29 hospitals in the country, and the first in Iowa, to receive this distinction. In addition, Mercy has also added or expanded patient services for cardiovascular services, stroke, pediatrics and wound care.

Prior to his tenure in Sioux City, Makowski served as President and CEO of Citrus Valley Health Partners in Covina, Calif. He succeeds Larry Schumacher, who left Des Moines this past March to become the President and CEO at Via Christi Wichita Health Network in Wichita, Kan.