Baptist Health Announces $33 Million Expanding Our Circle of Care Campaign
Fundraising Efforts More Than 75% Complete With The Kresge Foundation Challenge Grant

Jacksonville, Fla., May 11, 2005 - Baptist Health has unveiled an unprecedented philanthropic effort to assist its mission in meeting the health care needs of those whose lives have been interrupted by illness or injury.

The Expanding Our Circle of Care Campaign will raise $33 million in private donations for construction and program enhancements to Baptist Health's already extensive circle of care. More than $26 million has already been raised in the campaign.

Baptist Health is nearing completion of more than $330 million in expansion and renovation projects that include the construction of Baptist Medical Center South, construction of a Heart Hospital on the downtown campus, expansion of the Newborn Intensive Care Unit and Children's Emergency Center at Wolfson Children's Hospital, a new wing and expanded emergency center at Baptist Medical Center Beaches, and expansions and renovations at Baptist Medical Center Nassau.

"For nearly 50 years, Baptist Health has existed to provide the highest level of care and compassion to every person in need in the communities we serve," A. Hugh Greene , president and CEO of Baptist Health said at a news conference in the soon to be completed Heart Hospital. "As we expand our circle of care to meet the growing health care needs of the region, we are grateful to the organizations and individuals for their recognition and support of this unprecedented expansion of health care facilities and programs in Northeast Florida."

Greene recognized several major contributors who led the way to the campaign's initial success in raising $26 million for programs and facilities:

• The Wolfson Family Foundation, for the Wolfson Wellness Center
• The Weaver Family Foundation and the Jacksonville Jaguars Ltd.
• The Women's Board of Wolfson Children's Hospital for the Children's Emergency Center
• Preston Haskell and The Haskell Companies
• The Lucy Gooding Charitable Trust to establish The Lucy Gooding Children's Neurosurgery Center
• Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, to support the Blood and Marrow Transplant Program
• Wachovia
• The Employees, Auxilians, Boards of Directors and Physician Partners of Baptist Health

At the news conference, Baptist Health announced a $1.5 million challenge grant from The Kresge Foundation of Troy, Michigan. The grant is contingent upon Baptist completing its $33 million capital campaign by the end of 2005.

"We are honored The Kresge Foundation found our project worthy of a major grant," says M.C. Harden III, chairman of the Expanding Our Circle of Care Campaign of Baptist Health. "We have been quietly raising money and judging the support of the community for this endeavor. The tremendous support we have already received gives us the confidence that we will raise the remaining $7 million needed to complete our capital campaign by the end of this year."

Including The Kresge Foundation challenge grant, Baptist Health has raised approximately $26 million of its goal. The capital campaign is scheduled for completion on December 31, 2005.

The Kresge Foundation, an independent, private foundation, was created in 1924 by Sebastian S. Kresge "to promote the well-being of mankind." In 2005, the Foundation has awarded 45 grants with a total of $23 million. In 2004, the Foundation awarded 175 grants totaling $119 million. Grants are made to institutions operating in the areas of higher education, health and long-term care, arts and humanities, human services, science and the environment, and public affairs.

Grant recipients have raised initial funds toward their respective projects before requesting Foundation assistance. Grants from The Kresge Foundation are made on a challenge basis, requiring the raising of the remaining funds, thereby insuring completion of the projects.

In a statement read at the news conference, Mayor John Peyton offered his congratulations:

"Quality health care is an essential for a growing community, and we are fortunate to have excellent health care resources here in Jacksonville. The Kresge Foundation's selection of Baptist Health for a challenge grant recognizes our city's first-class health care system and demonstrates that national organizations believe we are a worthy investment. That's great news for Baptist and for the people of Jacksonville."

To learn more about Baptist Health's Expanding Our Circle of Care Campaign, please call 904.202.2919.