HealthSouth Corporation (OTC Pink Sheets: HLSH) today announced it will open a 40-bed freestanding long-term acute care hospital (LTCH) in Sarasota, Fla. Scheduled to open in January 2005, the facility will specialize in the intensive care and rehabilitation of patients with multiple acute healthcare needs. It will be located east of Interstate 75 and Bee Ridge Road.

"HealthSouth is pleased to expand further the healthcare services we offer in Florida," said Bob May, HealthSouth interim chief executive officer. "The new hospital's close proximity to HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Sarasota will to enable us to provide a full continuum of healthcare services.

"This facility, which will create approximately 145 new jobs, is part of our inpatient division's focus on further LTCH development. It reflects HealthSouth's commitment to continued, innovative growth and enhances HealthSouth's reputation for high-quality, cost-effective patient care," concluded May.

Long-term acute care hospitals (LTCHs) are designed to meet the unique healthcare needs of patients who require a hospital stay of more than 25 days and suffer from chronic conditions.

HealthSouth is the nation's largest provider of outpatient surgery, diagnostic imaging and rehabilitative health care services with nearly 1,700 facilities nationwide and abroad. HealthSouth can be found on the Web at www.healthsouth.com .

For more information, please contact Andy Brimmer at (205) 410-2777.

SOURCE: HealthSouth Corporation