Premier Healthcare Alliance Named to 2008’s ''World’s Most Ethical Companies'' List by the Ethisphere Institute at the Forbes, Ethisphere Joint-Conference

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Ethisphere Institute yesterday named the Premier healthcare alliance to its second-annual World’s Most Ethical Companies list. Ethisphere, a think-tank dedicated to the research and promotion of profitable best practices in global governance, business ethics, compliance and corporate responsibility, revealed the award at the Ethisphere and Forbes joint-conference, “Driving Profit through Ethical Leadership.” The list of World’s Most Ethical Companies will also be featured in the Q2 issue of Ethisphere Magazine.

Researchers and analysts reviewed several thousand companies in order to determine the finalists, which included a rigorous, multi-step evaluation process. The 2008 World’s Most Ethical Companies methodology committee is comprised of leading attorneys and government officials, professors and leaders who care about ethical and honest business practices.

“The Premier healthcare alliance is among the companies honored this year because they have developed impressive and meaningful ethical business practices, making them true standouts within their industry,” said Alexander Brigham, executive director of Ethisphere Institute. “They go well beyond legal minimums, opting instead to bring about innovative ideas that contribute to the public well being. By their actions, they are forcing their competitors to follow suit, or fall behind, while truly embodying the notion that ethical business practices are more profitable in the long run.”

The extensive research process included reviewing over 10,000 of the world’s leading companies on six continents. Ethisphere analysts reviewed codes of ethics, litigation and regulatory infraction histories; evaluated investment in innovation and sustainable business practices; looked at companies’ activities to improve corporate citizenship; studied nominations from senior executives, industry peers, suppliers and customers; and worked with consumer action groups for feedback and rating.

“Receiving the “World’s Most Ethical Companies” award is a true testament to the efforts of Premier and our alliance of more than 2,000 hospitals to truly do business ethically,” said Richard Norling, president and CEO of Premier, a 2006 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award recipient. “The Premier alliance utilizes the most stringent Code of Conduct in the healthcare purchasing industry and helped lead the development of an initiative to share and document ethical best practices industry-wide through feedback from our member hospitals.”

The day-long conference, which featured Forbes editors and executives from world-renowned corporations, universities and ethics organizations, focused on ethical culture and leadership and highlighted companies’ experiences and ethical challenges; provided advice on preparing for ethical dilemmas; and offered viewpoints from an investor’s perspective. The conference culminated with recognizing Ethisphere Magazine’s 2008 World’s Most Ethical Companies at an evening awards dinner.

About Premier Inc., 2006 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award recipient

Serving more than 2,000 U.S. hospitals and 50,000 other healthcare sites, the Premier healthcare alliance and its members are transforming healthcare together. Owned by not-for-profit hospitals, Premier operates one of the leading healthcare purchasing networks and the nation's most comprehensive repository of hospital clinical and financial information. A subsidiary operates one of the nation's largest policy-holder owned, hospital professional liability risk-retention groups. A world leader in helping healthcare providers deliver dramatic improvements in care, Premier is working with the United Kingdom's National Health Service North West and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to improve hospital performance. Headquartered in San Diego, Premier has offices in Charlotte, N.C., Philadelphia and Washington. For more information, visit www.premierinc.com.

About Ethisphere Institute

The research-based Ethisphere Institute and associated membership group, the Ethisphere Council, are supported by more than 100 institutions and corporations, including Thomson West, the Practising Law Institute, the National Association of Corporate Directors, the Global Reporting Initiative, Corpedia and dozens of others. The Institute is dedicated to the research, creation, and sharing of best practices in ethics, compliance, and corporate governance among its membership companies. It also focuses on the development and advancement of individuals on its membership council through increased efficiency, innovation, tools, mentoring, advice, and unique career opportunities. Ethisphere Magazine is the quarterly publication of the Institute. More information on membership can be found at http://www.ethisphere.com.

The Ethisphere Institute publishes the globally-recognized annual World Most Ethical Companies Ranking™ as well as the Government Contractor Ethics Program Ranking™ and the upcoming Global Anti-Corruption Quotient.