ST. LOUIS November 3, 1998 Unity Health and Quest
Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE: DGX) announced today that they have formed a joint venture
to provide high quality, high value diagnostic testing, information and services in the
St. Louis market.
"This innovative alliance is intended to enhance the quality of testing and
service to customers, provide greater access to laboratory services for patients in the
metropolitan area, and better utilize laboratory capacity throughout the region,"
said Kenneth W. Freeman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Quest Diagnostics.
Under the terms of the agreement, rapid response testing will be conducted at each of
the Unity Health hospitals and a Joint Venture core lab will perform non-time sensitive
services. Operational management of the Joint Venture lab will be led by a three member
team, consisting of representatives from both organizations. Additionally, a newly
appointed director will coordinate the labs and ensure quality, efficient and reliable
services to physicians, patients and other customers.
"Creating a central laboratory structure with outreach capabilities provides us
the flexibility we need to give our customers even better access to diagnostic testing,
information and services," said Jim Hobbs, Unity Healths Chief Operating
Officer.
Unity Health encompasses the resources and professional talents of more than 13,000
employees and 2,000 physicians at Alexian Brothers Hospital; St. Anthonys Medical
Center; St. Johns Mercy Medical Center; St. Johns Mercy Hospital in
Washington, Mo.; St. Lukes Hospital; St. Clement Health Services in Red Bud, Ill.;
the Unity Physician
Hospital Organization; Unity Medical Group; a managed care contracting division; and an
ancillary services division is a Unity Health member of the Sisters of Mercy Health
SystemSt. Louis.
Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, based in Teterboro, N.J., is one of the nations
leading providers of diagnostic testing, information and services to physicians,
hospitals, managed care organizations, employers and governmental agencies. The wide
variety of tests performed on human tissue and fluids help doctors and hospitals diagnose,
treat and monitor disease. Its Nichols Institute unit conducts research, specializes in
esoteric testing using genetic screening and other advanced technologies, performs
clinical studies testing, and manufactures and distributes diagnostic test kits and
instruments. Quest Informatics collects and analyzes laboratory, pharmaceutical and other
data to help large health care customers identify and monitor patients who are at-risk for
certain diseases. Additional company information can be found on the Internet at
www.questdiagnostics.com.