FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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Desiree M. Voinche
Manager, Communications and Outreach
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Director of Maryland Office of
Health Care Quality Joins Delmarva Foundation
Carol Benner Will Consult On Strategic Direction to Improve Care In Nursing Homes

Easton, MD, August 10, 2005 - Delmarva Foundation , Maryland and the District of Columbia’s Medicare Quality Improvement Organization, announced today the appointment of Carol Benner as a consultant on improving systems of care in the regions’ nursing homes. Carol Benner joins the Delmarva Foundation after 19 years with the State of Maryland and more than 16 as the Director of the Office of Health Care Quality at the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

“After a lengthy career working for four Governors, five Secretaries and five million Marylanders, we are pleased that Carol will bring her wisdom and experience to the Delmarva Foundation,” stated Maulik S. Joshi, president and CEO, Delmarva Foundation. “As we continue to concentrate on changing the way the healthcare system operates, it is great to have someone with Carol’s first hand knowledge working beside us and our partners.”

Carol Benner will serve as a consultant for both the Maryland and District of Columbia Medicare Quality Improvement Organizations as they work to transform healthcare. Over the next three years, Carol will provide leadership and strategic direction on nursing home quality improvement efforts including reducing pressure ulcers, use of physical restraints, improving depressive symptoms and reducing pain. Carol will also guide Delmarva Foundation’s partnerships with key stakeholders including state survey agencies, trade associations, and long term care ombudsmen.

“We will certainly miss Carol. For the last 20 years, she has done an incredible job serving Maryland’s citizens and leaves a powerful legacy. The good news is that in her new position at Delmarva Foundation, Carol will continue her work to improve care in nursing homes. We look forward to working with her in her new role,” said S. Anthony McCann, Secretary, Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

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About Delmarva Foundation
Delmarva Foundation is a national, not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving healthcare quality in over 20 states. Since 1973, Delmarva has assisted in improving care in hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, medical practices and health plans. Delmarva performs quality improvement, quality assurance, utilization review, external quality review and Program Safeguard activities. The company's corporate headquarters are located in Easton, Maryland with other offices in Baltimore, Maryland; Washington, DC; Columbia, South Carolina; Tampa, Florida; and Tallahassee, Florida. For more information, please visit Delmarva Foundation on the web at www.delmarvafoundation.org.