FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE:  December 8, 2006

Katonah Medical Group Physicians to Join

Mount Kisco Medical Group as of July 1, 2007

As of July 1, 2007, the physicians of the Katonah Medical Group will individually join the Mount Kisco Medical Group (MKMG), and continue to practice at their current locations in Katonah and Somers.  As part of this initiative, MKMG will add other physicians to these offices to enhance the multi-specialty  services offered at these locations.  The Katonah Medical Group has been a prominent and well respected medical practice whose history in Katonah goes back over forty (40) years.  

Adding these highly respected physicians is an optimal next step for MKMG's physicians, staff, and patients, enhancing our ability to deliver quality care in Northern Westchester and Putnam Counties, while reducing overall costs and improving MKMG's ability to recruit new physicians to the Hudson Valley.  "We are excited that the Katonah Medical Group physicians have decided to join the Mount Kisco Medical Group." says Dr. Scott Hayworth, President and CEO of the Mount Kisco Medical Group.  "Our investment in their facilities and technology will enhance the patient's experience, and this is another example of MKMG's commitment to providing the highest quality of care closer to home."

In addition to providing specialty care in Katonah, MKMG will be adding digital mammography as well as other state-of-the-art imaging equipment at the Katonah facility, icluding PACS, the digital platform for moving and storing x-rays, mammography, and other body images electronically.  MKMG will also install an EMR (Electronical Medical Record), allowing all patient information to be electronically stored and accessed.  The use of the EMR has been clinically proven to enhance patient safety as well as provide stronger continuity of care.  "We are very excited about the opportunities our new relationship with Mount Kisco Medical Group provides each of the Katonah Medical Group physicians, and the implementation of state of the art medical technology and IT resources that is associated with this initiative will enable us to continue to provide seamless, quality care to all of our patients in Norhtern Westchester and Putnam Counties," Explained Dr. Thomas Lester, President of the Katonah Medical Group.

Upgrading the infrastructure and enhancing the physician services at the Katonah office will provide comprehensive medical care in one location, bringing new medical specialties to Katonah, and will provide the highest quality patient care.

Established in 1946, MKMG is comprised of more than 100 physicians seeing patients in five locations including the main office in Mount Kisco, as well as multi-specialty offices in Carmel, Yorktown Heights, Fishkill, and Poughkeepsie.  In addition to the many primary care physicians - Internists, Pediatricians and Obstetricians-Gynecologists - the practice includes physicians representing more than 30 medical and surgical specialties and subspecialties.  Radiology and laboratory services, physical therapy, sports rehabilitation, endoscopy and infusion services are also available at MKMG's facilities.  Since it's founding, MKMG has been dedicated first and foremost to quality medical care.  Over the last five years, MKMG has dedicated itself to improving patient and customer service.

MKMG is a clinical affiliate of the world famous Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), which helps MKMG patients who need highly specialized medical care gain easy access to the highly respected physicians and breadth of sophisticated services of MGH.  As a clinical affiliate, a designated physician based at the MGH is available to respond to MKMG requests for medical care and consultation as well as coordinate various services for patients referred to MGH.  The collaboration also enables patients to MKMG to participate in specific clinical trials under way at the MGH aimed at identifying new and better treatments for complex disorders including oncology and heart disease.  MKMG also has a long-standing relationship with Mount Sinai Medical Center, an academic medical center in New York City.

The synergy of the Katonah Medical Group physicians joining MKMG will further enhance the integration of quality healthcare in the lower Hudson Valley.