For Immediate Release: March 23, 2011

Grady Welcomes New Chief Operating Officer

Contact: Denise Simpson
Phone: (404) 616-6855
E-mail: dsimpson@gmh.edu

Mark J. Chastang

Grady Health System is pleased to announce that Mark J. Chastang, MPA, MBA, FACHE, is joining the executive team as the new Chief Operating Officer. Chastang begins work at Grady April 4, 2011.

Chastang has more than 25 years of experience in health care administration and comes to Grady from the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he served as Vice President of Operations and Transplant Services. He is the former vice president and executive director of Ohio's University of Toledo Medical Center and once served as assistant director at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta.

"I am excited to have someone of Mark's caliber serve as chief operating officer. He brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience that will benefit Grady as we continue to focus our efforts on top quality patient care and financial stability," said Michael Young, Grady's President and CEO.

At 23, Chastang began his career as executive director of a rural 50 bed hospital in Mississippi, making him the nation's youngest hospital CEO at the time.

" Mark's accomplishments in the areas of patient care and program management, along with his track record of developing high-quality and cost effective programs, make him an ideal addition to the Grady team at this point in the health system's turnaround," according to Grady Board Chairman Pete Correll.

Chastang is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, a member of American Hospital Association's regional policy board and a member of the National Association of Health Service Executives. A graduate of Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, Chastang earned his master's degree in business administration from Georgia State University in Atlanta and received a master's in public administration/health care administration from the University of Kansas.

About Grady Health System
Grady Health System is one of the largest public health systems in the United States. Grady consists of the 953-bed Grady Memorial Hospital, eight neighborhood health centers, Crestview Health & Rehabilitation Center - and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Hughes Spalding, which is operated as a Children's affiliate.

With its nationally acclaimed Emergency Department and Burn Unit, Grady Health System has the only level I trauma center in the region and serves as the 911 ambulance provider for the city of Atlanta. The state's only Poison Center is housed at Grady, as well.

The Diabetes Detection & Control Center, Georgia Cancer Center for Excellence, Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center, Joint Commission Certified Marcus Stroke and Neuroscience Center and the Avon Foundation Comprehensive Breast Center are also notable components of the health system. Moreover, Grady's Infectious Disease Program was named one of the top three HIV/AIDS outpatient clinics in the country.

Other exceptional medical services include Grady's Regional Perinatal Center and its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, the Primary Care Center, a dedicated 60 Plus service line for older adults, Teen Services, and the Rape Crisis Center.

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