Christopher M. Carney, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bon Secours Health System to Retire in 2005

Marriottsville, MD, June 4, 2004 – Bon Secours Health System (BSHSI) announced today that president and CEO, Chris Carney will retire next year. Effective March, 2005, after more than twenty years of service, Chris Carney has made a personal decision to retire.

Sister Patricia A. Eck, C.B.S., chairperson of the BSHSI board of directors said, “Chris made this decision as part of a larger life decision. He has achieved his major career goals, and now is shifting priorities to spending more time with his family and living in one city. Though we hate to see him go, we are excited for him as he enters this new era of his life.”

Over the past 23 years, and particularly during his past eight years as CEO, Chris has helped to transform BSHSI fundamentally, guiding the health system through phenomenal growth and helping it to become a more unified system. His accomplishments are numerous including: further advancement of a system-wide vision and behaviors, development of strategic relationships with other health organizations, expansion of BSHSI’s mission, services and presence in new and existing communities, orchestration of a ministry composition assessment work to ensure that BSHSI is the right size and structure for its resources, capabilities and goal to be a high quality provider, and the evolution to a much more participative and involved organization.

"Working with the Sisters of Bon Secours and the Bon Secours Health System has been an incredible professional and personal experience. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to pursue my vocation in healthcare with a progressive, values-based
organization and such great, supportive people," said Carney.

Sister Eck added, “Chris has been the catalyst for creating the Bon Secours Mission Fund enabling the $7.7 million funding of over 44 community health initiatives and programs which have made substantial contributions to our communities. His leadership over the past 23 years is a model for our system and for Catholic health care. His keen vision, insight and his ability to motivate people to accomplish great things is remarkable.”

Carney led the dramatic growth of the BSHSI organization, which during his tenure has expanded from six to nine states; from 8 local communities to 15, from 13 facilities to over 41 and numerous outpatient and home based services, growing total net revenues from $761.3 million to $2.5 billion.

Sister Alice Talone, C.B.S., president of the Sisters of Bon Secours, USA, said “Chris has been instrumental in supporting the work of the congregation and in supporting and facilitating the sponsorship model created by the Sisters of Bon Secours. The Sisters of Bon Secours are tremendously grateful for his years of leadership and his many contributions to our communities. We celebrate his successes and wish him every blessing, but he will be greatly missed.”

Carney, the management team, and Board are working closely with the Sisters of Bon Secours and the search committee to create guidelines and requirements for selecting a new leader. The recruitment process will begin in June with anticipated selection of a new president and CEO by early 2005. Over the next year, Chris will continue to lead the system in executing the health system’s strategic initiatives as planned and working with Sr. Pat Eck, the sponsors and Board of Directors to ensure a smooth leadership transition.

“While we are sad and reluctant to see Chris move on to his life’s next goal, we celebrate his career and his incredible contributions to this health ministry. This will be an exciting period for us. We are entering a new phase of our organization’s growth, with new opportunities to deliver our mission and strengthen our commitment to our ministry; a new time for providing good help to those in need,” stated Sister. Eck.

Bon Secours Health System, Inc., based in Marriottsville, Md., is a not-for-profit Catholic health system that owns, manages or joint ventures 24 acute care, nine long-term care, eight assisted living and independent living and other facilities, primarily on the East Coast. Bon Secours Health System consists of more than 28,000 caregivers serving 15 communities in nine states. Its vision is to be a leader in Catholic health ministry reaching beyond tradition to liberate people’s potential and improve the communities it serves.