Hoag Hospital Sponsors Physicians Practice Journal in California

Baltimore, Maryland — April 18, 2005 — Physicians Practice announced today that Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian has joined its partnership program, increasing the reach of the most widely circulated journal of its kind, Physicians Practice®, The Business Journal for Physicians, to 7,500 physicians in Orange County, Calif.

“We recognize the challenges physicians face in managing their practices in today’s healthcare environment,” said Debra Legan, vice president of marketing and corporate communications for Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian. “We’re pleased to offer Physicians Practice as a resource to Orange County physicians. We believe our participation in the Physicians Practice program will strengthen our relationships with referring physicians in the area while building awareness of Hoag’s key areas of clinical strength.”

Recognized as one of the finest medical facilities in Southern California, Hoag Hospital is a 409-bed acute care, not-for-profit hospital that provides advanced medical programs in many specialties, and four renowned centers of excellence: Hoag Cancer Center, Hoag Heart and Vascular Institute, Hoag Orthopedic Services, and Hoag Women’s Health Services. For nine consecutive years, Hoag has received the Consumer Choice Award from National Research Corporation (NRC). This award designates it as the most preferred hospital in Orange County based on overall quality of healthcare services, and places Hoag Hospital in the top five percent of hospitals nationwide.

"We are very proud of our partnership with Hoag Hospital, which circulates our practice management advice to thousands of physicians in California,” said Gerry Hartung, co-founder and chief executive officer of Physicians Practice. "Hoag Hospital is an exceptional addition to our physician communication program."

Customized editions of the journal will be published six times annually, each featuring a special section sponsored by Hoag Hospital highlighting news in both clinical and scientific research areas. Healthcare executives have utilized Physicians Practice for over 10 years to cultivate physician relationships, build referrals, and enhance market share for their medical centers. Physicians Practice maintains more than 60 hospital partnerships, and is currently distributed to practicing physicians in 39 states.

For more information about the Physicians Practice hospital partnership program, visit www.PhysiciansPractice.com, and select “For Hospitals.”

About Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian
Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian (www.hoaghospital.org) is a 409-bed, not-for-profit, acute care hospital located in Newport Beach, Calif. Fully accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), Hoag offers a comprehensive mix of healthcare services, including Centers of Excellence in cancer, heart and vascular, orthopedics and women’s health services.

About Physicians Practice
Physicians Practice is publisher of Physicians Practice®, The Business Journal for Physicians. Circulated to more than 300,000 community-based practicing physicians throughout the United States, Physicians Practice is the most widely circulated business magazine for physicians in the country. Its award-winning Web site, www.PhysiciansPractice.com®, and weekly e-mail newsletter, Physicians Practice Pearls®, have helped the company earn a reputation as the premier practice management solutions provider for physicians and their administrators.

Through its Connecticut-based Provider Solutions division, Physicians Practice capitalizes on its strong position in the healthcare marketplace by creating educational initiatives for physicians. These programs utilize a number of learning platforms such as satellite broadcast, Web cast, audioconference, print, and live symposia to provide the highest quality education and information with the easiest access for the healthcare professional customer. In October 2004, Physicians Practice was voted runner-up out of 600 entries for “Best Use of Direct Marketing to Healthcare Professionals” in the Medical Marketing and Media Awards, organized by the Haymarket Business publication Medical Marketing and Media.

Through its multimedia programs and its magazine, Physicians Practice teaches physicians how to manage the challenges of delivering high quality care in a turbulent medical marketplace. The company also provides customized strategies for the pharmaceutical industry, publishing services, Internet content, and maintains a staff of experts in all areas of medical practice management who are available to speak with the media on healthcare issues. Physicians Practice, founded in 1989 by Gerry Hartung and Scott Weber, is headquartered in Glen Burnie, Md. For more information, visit us at www.PhysiciansPractice.com.

For More Information, Contact:
LaWanda Stone Abernathy
Assistant Director, Marketing and Public Relations
(443) 543-5144
labernathy@physicianspractice.com

Catherine Bretz Mullaney, MHA
Vice President, Marketing and Strategic Development
(443) 543-5154
cbretz@physicianspractice.com