FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 18, 2008

CONTACT:
Cindy Hickey, Public Relations
330-489-1212
cindy.hickey@csauh.com

Mercy Health Center to open in Tuscarawas County
New Philadelphia Location to Offer STATCARE, Diagnostic Services

Canton, Ohio: Mercy Medical Center will open a new health center in Tuscarawas County at the Lewis Center Regional Medical Park in New Philadelphia. Mercy will be joined by Akron Children's Hospital in the new facility, which is a project of developer Dana Lewis, through his Investment Realty Properties Ltd. of New Philadelphia.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the medical park is scheduled for Tues., Feb. 19 at 10 a.m. at 1031 W. High Ave., New Philadelphia, with a reception immediately following at the McDonald/Marlite Conference Center.

Mercy anticipates opening its health center this fall, offering radiology and lab services, and a STATCARE immediate care center for treatment of minor illnesses and injuries.  Mercy Health Center of Tuscarawas County will be open extended hours to meet the needs of the community.

Thomas E. Cecconi, Mercy Medical Center president and CEO, is pleased that Mercy will have a presence in Tuscarawas County.

He said, "For a century, Mercy has been committed to providing quality, compassionate, accessible and affordable health care. And, for more than two decades, we've been carrying that mission beyond the hospital walls into local communities through health centers that serve individuals close to home. We are very pleased that, during our 100th anniversary year, we continue that mission with the opening of the Mercy Health Center of Tuscarawas County, where we will deliver excellent health care services in a location that is convenient for so many residents."

Mercy Medical Center, a not-for-profit corporation of the Sisters of Charity Health System and University Hospitals Health System, operates a 476-bed hospital serving Stark, Carroll, Wayne, Holmes and Tuscarawas Counties and parts of Southeastern Ohio. It has 550 physicians on its Medical Staff and employs 2,500 people. Mercy operates outpatient health centers in Carrollton, Jackson Township, Lake Township, Louisville and North Canton. A Catholic hospital, Mercy Medical Center upholds the mission and philosophy of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine and continues to be responsive to the needs of the community, including the provision of care to all, regardless of their ability to pay. For more information, see www.cantonmercy.com.