Community Hospital of Long Beach and Long Beach Memorial Medical Center Announce the Intent of an Owner/Operator Agreement

LONG BEACH, Calif. – June 9, 2010 – Community Hospital of Long Beach (CHLB) and Long Beach Memorial Medical Center (LBMMC) today announced that they have entered into exclusive discussions and a due diligence process toward LBMMC becoming the owner/operator of CHLB. As a preliminary phase, the two hospitals will enter into a management services agreement whereby LBMMC will provide leadership and management over the operations of CHLB.

“Both Long Beach Memorial Medical Center and Community Hospital of Long Beach have played an integral part in serving the health care needs of the greater Long Beach region for many decades,” said Diana Hendel, CEO, Long Beach Memorial and Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach. “Given the ongoing economic impacts affecting providers and the anticipated effects that health reform will have on hospitals, the intent of the agreement is to enhance the ability of both not-for-profit institutions to continue providing quality care for the residents of Long Beach well into the future.”

During the management services agreement, CHLB will operate as a separately licensed entity. Its governing board, physicians and staff will continue to focus on medical care and furthering CHLB’s mission to promote excellence and integrity.

“At Community Hospital of Long Beach, our staff members are strongly committed to providing the best medical care through a caring, compassionate, personalized approach for every patient,” said Nancy Myers, Board Chair, Community Hospital of Long Beach. “The management services agreement with Long Beach Memorial Medical Center will provide us with the resources needed to continue our important work, so that we can ensure access to timely and quality care for the residents of East Long Beach.”

The two hospitals will also enter into a comprehensive strategic planning process during the preliminary phase, with board members, hospital representatives and city officials discussing how to best focus on continuing to improve the health and well being of individuals and families throughout East Long Beach.

About Community Hospital of Long Beach: Since its original opening in 1924, Community Hospital of Long Beach continues to be guided by a commitment to the provision of the highest standards of medical care without losing the warmth of the human touch. Located on the Eastside of Long Beach, CHLB offers a wide range of clinical services including adult medicine, behavioral health, 24/7 emergency care, surgery, occupational medicine and a comprehensive cancer care center. At CHLB, physicians and staff align with patients and their families as partners in wellness, embracing our mission to Connect to Better Health.

About Long Beach Memorial Medical Center: Long Beach Memorial Medical Center and Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach are a part of the MemorialCare Health System, a nationally recognized not-for-profit integrated delivery system with top ratings for quality and safety. Long Beach Memorial has been providing compassionate care with the latest state-of-the-art technology for more than 100 years and is the region's first choice for comprehensive care in virtually every medical and surgical specialty. Centers of excellence include the MemorialCare Heart and Vascular Institute, The Todd Cancer Institute, Memorial Rehabilitation and the Emergency Department and Trauma Center. Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach provides specialized pediatric care for children and young adults, with conditions ranging from common to complex—as well as maternity care for expectant mothers—all under one roof. Only 5 percent of all hospitals are children’s hospitals, making them unique not only to children’s health care needs in the community, but across the region. Miller Children’s is one of only eight free-standing children’s hospitals in California. ###