George Lynn, AtlantiCare President and CEO, Announces His Retirement as CEO, Effective March 2007

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP, N.J., Sept. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- George Lynn, president and chief executive officer (CEO), AtlantiCare, announced plans to retire as CEO after more than 20 years, effective March 31, 2007. David P. Tilton, CEO, AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center (ARMC) and chief operating officer (COO), AtlantiCare, will succeed Mr. Lynn as president and CEO. AtlantiCare's Board of Trustees has appointed Mr. Lynn President Emeritus. He will continue to work on special projects for AtlantiCare in that capacity.

"I have had the privilege of serving this community for more than 20 years -- and of working with board members, senior management, staff, and physicians throughout my career who have helped grow this organization from a hospital to a robust health system, providing health and wellness services across our region. AtlantiCare is very well positioned for the future -- and has its brightest days ahead. I felt it was the perfect time to transition to new leadership," Mr. Lynn said.

"George's leadership style has inspired dedication, trust and respect from those who work with and for him, including board members, politicians, community leaders, physicians, executives and staff. I am honored to be selected to succeed him and excited about the future of AtlantiCare," said Mr. Tilton.

Mr. Lynn joined the organization in 1986 as chief executive officer of Atlantic City Medical Center with divisions in Atlantic City and Galloway Township, New Jersey. In 1993, under his leadership, the region's largest integrated healthcare delivery system was formed. Today, AtlantiCare has nearly 5000 employees, medical staff and volunteers, and is one of the region's largest employers. AtlantiCare has expanded over the years to include AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center (ARMC), AtlantiCare Behavioral Health, the Center for Community Health, AtlantiCare Health Plans, AtlantiCare Health Services and InfoShare, a health information technology company. Under Mr. Lynn's guidance, AtlantiCare has grown to offer services at more than 60 locations throughout the region, including development of the Health Park in Egg Harbor Township.

"We cannot begin to acknowledge the visionary leadership George has provided to this community over the years. His legacy of 'building a healthier community' will be felt for years to come by those of us who have worked with him and learned from him and certainly by the residents of this community who now enjoy a higher standard of healthcare," said Roger Hansen, chairman, AtlantiCare Board of Trustees.

Mr. Lynn has been widely recognized for his active charitable, professional and civic involvement in the community and has garnered numerous awards. He has also been active on the state and national healthcare stage serving in various leadership roles. In 1997, he served as chairman the New Jersey Hospital Association, and from 2000-2004, as chairman of the Health Research and Education Trust. He is currently serving a second term as chairman of the American Hospital Association, Board of Trustees. In 2005, Mr. Lynn was named among Modern Healthcare's "100 Most Powerful People in Healthcare."

Mr. Lynn's successor, David P. Tilton, joined ARMC in March of 1987 as administrator of the hospital's Mainland campus. He has served as ARMC's CEO for more than 13 years. Mr. Tilton played an instrumental role when ARMC was transformed from a two-campus community hospital to become part of the regional health system -- AtlantiCare. Known for his focus on quality improvement, Mr. Tilton led ARMC in becoming one of the elite hospitals nationwide to achieve the J.D. Power and Associates Distinguished Hospital designation in 2004, 2005, and 2006 for providing "an outstanding patient experience." Under his leadership, ARMC became the 105th hospital in the nation to be designated a nurse Magnet(TM) hospital, the nursing profession's highest honor.

Also committed to community, Mr. Tilton was recognized by the Atlantic City Branch of the NAACP with its Freedom Fund Award in 2004. The Hispanic Alliance of Atlantic County presented him with its inaugural Leadership Award for his contributions to the Hispanic Community in 2004. The Jersey Shore Council of Boy Scouts of America honored Mr. Tilton in 2003 for his efforts to improve the quality of life for the residents of the region.

AtlantiCare is a regional healthcare organization based in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, whose more than 4,500 employees serve the healthcare needs of the community at more than 60 locations. It includes AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center (ARMC), the AtlantiCare Foundation and Center for Community Health, AtlantiCare Health Plans, AtlantiCare Behavioral Health and AtlantiCare Health Services. ARMC earned J.D. Power and Associates Distinguished Hospital designation for the third consecutive year for its commitment to providing "An Outstanding Inpatient Experience," in July, 2006. ARMC became the 105th hospital in the nation to attain status as a Magnet(TM) designated hospital in March of 2004.