2008 Performance Positions Cogent Healthcare to Assist Hospitals Facing Economic Challenges

BRENTWOOD, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cogent Healthcare, a leading partner to hospitals for on-site hospitalist programs, enters 2009 from a position of strength based on significant milestones achieved in 2008.

“In the face of a national economic crisis, many hospitals and other employers are facing considerable financial stress.”

“These are not easy times for the healthcare industry,” said Gene Fleming, Chief Executive Officer of Cogent. “In the face of a national economic crisis, many hospitals and other employers are facing considerable financial stress.”

“At Cogent, we are more focused than ever on aligning our efforts with the evolving goals of hospitals – in particular the need for tangible improvement in quality, efficiency and satisfaction metrics which directly affect the hospitals’ financial performance.”

Founded in 1997, Cogent is a pioneer and leader in the field of hospital medicine. The company partners with hospitals to build and manage highly performing hospitalist programs.

“Cogent is home to a dynamic team of employees and physicians across the country, all of whom contributed to a strong 2008,” said Rusty Holman, M.D., Chief Operating Officer. “We hope to draw from those successes, and in the face of a changing industry and tough economic times, we will continue to offer a service to hospitals that is fundamental to their success.”

A Sampling of 2008 Milestones Include:

Growth & Performance Milestones

• 92% achievement of hospital-established quality and financial performance metrics under the Cogent quality enhancement program.
• The largest class of newly recruited physicians in the company’s history.
• 94% retention of employed physicians.
• 11 new hospital partners.

Leadership Milestones

• Dr. Holman served as President of Society of Hospital Medicine (SHM), the medical society representing the 20,000+ hospitalists practicing across the nation. Also served as Chair and Course Director of the SHM Physician Leadership Academy.
• Shaun Frost, M.D., Regional Medical Director, named to the board of SHM.
• Dr. Holman worked with the U.S. Senate Finance Committee to examine Value-based Purchasing now being implemented by CMS.
• Mike Hawkins, M.D., Regional Medical Director, received the James A. McFarland Award from the American College of Physicians (ACP). Hawkins was also the first hospitalist appointed as ACP Governor-elect of the South Carolina chapter.
• Antoine Agassi, long-time healthcare IT innovator and former Director and Chair of the State of Tennessee’s eHealth Advisory Council, named Chief Information Officer.
• Brian Wolfe M.D., a Cogent hospitalist at Temple University, honored with the Temple University Hospital’s Junior Faculty Educator Award.
• Chief Medical Officer Ron Greeno, M.D. and Dr. Holman selected to present at several industry conferences sponsored by groups such as the American College of Healthcare Executives and the Healthcare Strategy Institute.
• Dr. Frost contributed to Just the Facts in Hospital Medicine, a new textbook on hospital medicine.
• Rachel George, M.D., Regional Medical Director, served as Chair of the SHM Women in Hospital Medicine Task Force.
• Len Scarpinato, M.D., Regional Medical Director, named Top Doctor in Internal Medicine and Critical Care by M magazine.

For more information about Cogent Healthcare, visit www.cogenthealthcare.com.

About Cogent Healthcare

Cogent Healthcare is a leading provider of hospitalist programs. Its focus is to relentlessly improve the care and efficiency of hospitalized patients by reducing variations in care, establishing best practices, identifying and removing barriers to efficient care and measuring outcomes. To this end, the company provides a comprehensive System of Care to its hospital partners that supports its hospitalists in the delivery of inpatient care and includes structure, a coordinated care team, data driven processes, rigorous ongoing training and experienced leadership. Cogent physicians continue to lead the profession by setting best practices for hospital medicine and providing a national mentoring program.