For Immediate Release: January 16, 2006

For More Information Contact:

Lori L. Henshey

Publications Coordinator

West Virginia Hospital Association

304/353-9747

Fax: 304/344-9745

DON MUHLENTHALER ELECTED NEW WVHA BOARD CHAIRMAN

CHARLESTON, WV – The West Virginia Hospital Association (WVHA), which represents 73 acute care and specialty hospitals and health systems in West Virginia, recently announced the election of Don Muhlenthaler, FACHE, CEO, of Pocahontas Memorial Hospital in Buckeye, as Chairman of the Association’s Board of Trustees.

Muhlenthaler came to Pocahontas Memorial Hospital in 2004 from Weirton, West Virginia, where he served as President and CEO of Weirton Medical Center for 10 years. Since coming to Pocahontas Memorial, he has demonstrated a high level of dedication to and appreciation for rural hospital and healthcare issues. Muhlenthaler earned a master’s degree in hospital administration from Duke University. He has managed hospitals in Trenton, New Jersey; Marion, Ohio; and Michigan City and Lawrenceburg, both located in Indiana. He is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives, an accomplishment considered a pinnacle in achievement for healthcare executives. He is also very involved in community activities.

As board Chairman, Muhlenthaler will lead the Association’s elected leaders and provide guidance and leadership to the Association’s members on such advocacy issues as reducing the number of uninsured individuals, helping to support a more patient friendly medical billing process, and ensuring adequate funding of the state Medicaid program.

“Medicaid, which is the state’s safety net insurance program for those most at risk,” Muhlenthaler said, “covers the state’s most vulnerable citizens – the elderly, the disabled, as well as over 50 percent of West Virginia’s children. Maintaining adequate funding for this the program is paramount.

“The Association will be moving forward in the coming year to embrace a new vision of healthcare that reflects the needs of our patients and the communities we serve,” he said. “The WVHA will lead this effort to help develop a new healthcare framework, with a common vision and a plan for a more rational healthcare delivery system while preserving access to affordable health services for all West Virginians.”