Providence Health System Extends Physicians Practice Circulation to Alaska

Baltimore, Maryland — February 14, 2005 — Physicians Practice, publisher of the most widely circulated business journal of its kind, Physicians Practice®, The Business Journal for Physicians, today announced that Providence Health System has joined its hospital partnership program, increasing the reach of the publication to 1,500 physicians throughout Alaska.

“As part of Providence Alaska Medical Center's commitment to providing our physicians with the tools they need to do their best work, we are pleased to incorporate Physicians Practice into our physician communication strategy,” said Karina Jennings, APR, regional director of communications and marketing for Providence Health System in Alaska. “We have found that the articles are very pertinent to issues encountered daily by physicians in managing their practice, so this magazine helps us provide added value to physicians.”

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.

“It is our belief that this partnership will lead to enhanced relationships and better communication about key services at our facilities,” said Jennings. “With the many challenges facing physicians today, we see this as a unique opportunity to help them better manage their health care practices in Alaska while also keeping them up to date on developments affecting them at the hospital.”

Providence Health System is improving the health status of the people in Alaska by providing compassionate, dedicated, and innovative care. Providence Health System has a long history of serving the community with a pioneering spirit that set the standard for modern healthcare in Alaska.

"Our partnership with Providence Health System is an excellent addition to our physician communication program," said Gerry Hartung, co-founder and chief executive officer of Physicians Practice. "This relationship expands our reach to Alaska, allowing us to offer physicians value-added solutions to better manage the business aspects of their practices."

Customized editions of Physicians Practice magazine will be published six times a year, each featuring a special section sponsored by Providence Health System highlighting news in both clinical and scientific research areas. For more information about the Physicians Practice hospital partnership program, visit www.PhysiciansPractice.com and select “For Hospitals.”

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