News Release: December 27, 2006

ALBUQUERQUE, NM - Presbyterian Healthcare Services announced today that it is expanding cancer care in New Mexico through a new arrangement with The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center to provide cancer treatment services at Presbyterian Kaseman Hospital, beginning in April.

M. D. Anderson has ranked as one of the nation’s top two cancer hospitals in U.S. News & World Report’s "America’s Best Hospitals" survey since the survey’s inception in 1990. Now M. D. Anderson will provide radiation oncology services in Albuquerque through its agreement with Presbyterian.

"This is a truly exciting day for those of us in healthcare dedicated to improving the health of New Mexicans," said Jim Hinton, Presbyterian president and CEO. "Presbyterian is investing in new cancer treatment that brings nationally-recognized cancer expertise to New Mexico and gives patients new choices for when they are faced with this difficult diagnosis."

M. D. Anderson will recruit radiation oncologists to care for patients in need of radiation therapy in Albuquerque. The new program will increase choice for radiation oncology treatment in New Mexico by bringing patients access to M. D. Anderson protocols and treatment options and decreasing the need for some patients to seek care out of state.

"M. D. Anderson is very pleased to have been invited to partner with Presbyterian in enhancing and advancing its cancer program," said James D. Cox, M.D., head of the Division of Radiation Oncology at M. D. Anderson. "We have enjoyed considerable success with similar radiation programs that we have developed closer to the Houston-area, and this new partnership represents an exciting opportunity to extend such programs to a more distant site. The stature of the Presbyterian system and its dedication to excellence parallels M. D. Anderson's commitment to providing the very best for cancer patients."

The M. D. Anderson services at Presbyterian Kaseman Hospital are scheduled to begin in late April. Presently, a patient undergoing radiation oncology services in the Presbyterian system will continue receiving those services from his or her oncologist without interruption. Beginning in April, patients in New Mexico will have additional choices as they decide on a provider for their cancer treatment.

"New Mexico is fortunate to have great oncology resources like the New Mexico Cancer Care Alliance and the University of New Mexico Cancer Research & Treatment Center, which is designated by the National Cancer Institute. We believe the presence of M. D. Anderson clinicians deepens the level of expertise in the community and should create more patients entered in clinical trials that will strengthen the research of the Alliance," said Hinton.

According to the Health Care Advisory Board, New Mexico and the nation should expect increased demand for cancer treatment services in the years ahead. While more cancer patients survive the disease, the number of diagnosed cancer cases is rising. Newly diagnosed cancer cases are projected to increase 23 percent by 2010. Also, the average five-year survival rates have increased from 50% to 63% in last 25 years, and as survival rates rise, the demand for ongoing care increases.

Presbyterian serves to improve the health of individuals, families and communities. Presbyterian Healthcare Services was founded in New Mexico in 1908, and is the state’s only private, not-for-profit healthcare system. Presbyterian offers eight hospitals, a statewide health plan, and a growing multi-specialty medical group. Presbyterian employs more than 9,000 people throughout New Mexico.