News Release: November 6, 2007

ALBUQUERQUE, NM – Jim Hinton, president and CEO of Presbyterian Healthcare Services, announced today that Dennis Batey, MD, will serve as the new president of Presbyterian Health Plan (PHP). Batey comes to PHP from Fallon Community Health Plan (FCHP) in Worcester, MA where he served as chief medical officer for the last five years.

In February of this year, David Scrase, M.D., was promoted from PHP president to chief operating officer for Presbyterian Healthcare Services. The Presbyterian leadership led a national search that resulted in Dr. Batey's hiring.

Just as Presbyterian Health Plan earned "Excellent" accreditations from the National Committee on Quality Assurance for all three (commercial, Medicaid, Medicare) products for each of the last three years, Dr. Batey's work with FCHP helped produce "Excellent" NCQA accreditations in all three product lines for that plan as well. Fewer than a dozen health plans in the country earn this distinction.

"Dr. Batey has an impressive background and record of results," said Hinton. "In his new role as president of Presbyterian Health Plan, he is coming back to New Mexico and bringing his considerable experience to support our accomplished health plan team as they continue to deliver for the members we serve."

"I'm excited about returning to New Mexico and joining Presbyterian, a health plan, with a national reputation for quality," said Dr. Batey. "I'm also excited to be part of a large community-based integrated healthcare system. Systems like Presbyterian have the greatest potential to solve the challenges we face in healthcare. I'm looking forward to rolling up my sleeves and joining a great team."

Prior to his current role at FCHP, Dr. Batey was the president and CEO of the Preferred Health Network of Maryland. From 1989 to 1997 he held several positions with FHP International, including vice president and chief medical officer for Utah and New Mexico operations. During his tenure in New Mexico, not only did Dr. Batey earn his master's degree from the University of New Mexico, but his wife Cynthia earned her bachelor's of nursing, also at UNM.

In addition to his years of experience as a physician executive, Dr. Batey has also practiced medicine in Alaska, both with the United States Public Health Service and in private practice. Dr. Batey earned his medical degree from Oregon Health Sciences University. He has a bachelor's degree in computer science from the University of San Francisco, a master's in applied mathematics from Harvard University, and a master's in business administration from the University of New Mexico.

Presbyterian Health Plan serves more than 450,000 New Mexicans, and is part of the Presbyterian Healthcare Services family. Presbyterian Healthcare Services was founded in New Mexico in 1908, and is the state's only private, not-for-profit healthcare system. As New Mexico's largest provider of healthcare, Presbyterian includes seven hospitals, the state's largest health plan, a strong and growing medical group. Presbyterian employs more than 9,000 people throughout New Mexico who serve to improve the health of individuals, families and communities.