"The Advisory Board will convene periodically with the purpose of advancing professional analysis of the healthcare arena through symposia and white papers, as well as offering expertise regarding strategic direction and project development, utilizing their professional expertise and experience. Additionally, the Board will discuss developing trends, create and publicize opinions on current healthcare issues, and plan responses to the healthcare market on Alter+Care's behalf," according to Driscoll.

"Creation of the Advisory Board will help to stimulate discussion, evaluate challenges and suggest solutions for Alter+Care to more meaningfully invest in the healthcare profession and improve the quality of life for communities. At the same time, it helps us implement and support the goals of both the company and the healthcare profession to continue the legacy established by the Alter family more than a half century ago."

Charles S. Lauer, former Editorial and Publishing Director of Modern Healthcare magazine?-- the nation's leading healthcare news weekly?-- has agreed to serve as Chairman of the Alter+Care Advisory Board. Recently retired from Modern Healthcare, Lauer served in this position for more than 20 years. Lauer remains very active in the profession. In addition to his frequent speaking engagements to groups such as the American College of Healthcare Executives and Blue Cross?-- Blue Shield, he is the author of two books "Soar With the Eagles" and "Reach for the Stars".

"Chuck's continued involvement and commitment to the profession will be an instrumental ingredient to attract and retain highly regarded individuals on the Board," Driscoll said.

Additional Advisory Board members include:

• Dennis Barry, former Chief Executive Officer of Greensboro, NC-based Moses Cone Health System. Mr. Barry has more than four decades of healthcare administration experience and leadership, and also served as Chairman of the American Hospital Association?s Board of Trustees for 2003-2004.
• Diane Appleyard, President of Core Consulting, Inc., and President of the Healthcare Institute, a non-profit think tank of leading healthcare system executives who come together to learn from one another with the goal of improving healthcare outcomes, safety, efficacy and efficiency. She previously was the President and CEO of the Healthcare Research and Development Institute, situated in Florida. Her career spans nearly 20 years in the profession.
• Michael Guthrie, Executive in Residence and Adjunct Professor at the University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center, is a noted consultant and thought leader about physician engagement and relationship strategies. He has been a practicing physician, a medical director, a hospital COO and CEO, as well as a senior executive for a large national healthcare alliance.
• Robert J. Pallari, formerly President & CEO of Oregon-based Legacy Health System. Mr. Pallari has more than 20 years of experience as a healthcare administrator, and continued advocate for community-based healthcare services.

"These distinguished individuals bring immense credibility to Alter+Care and our Advisory Board; their exhaustive knowledge of and influence upon the healthcare profession will be invaluable to us. Coming from various regions of the country, these individuals represent viable markets for Alter+Care to invest in and develop new outpatient medical facilities, while addressing challenges in the healthcare profession."

Alter+Care, an affiliate of The Alter Group, is an integrated firm that plans, develops, finances, markets and manages healthcare real estate assets. As the healthcare services affiliate of The Alter Group, one of the largest privately held real estate firms in the country, the firm shares the national recognition, ownership perspective, financial stature and broad-based knowledge to provide comprehensive strategic services such as competitive financing terms, significant property acquisition resources, physician-recruitment capabilities and continual asset management skills.

Alter+Care is ranked as the 5th largest healthcare real estate services firm by Modern Healthcare magazine. For more information, visit their website at www.altercare.net.