St. Francis Hospital Unveils Renovation of State-of-the-Art Women's Center

Kick-Off Health Seminar Features Comedian Jane Condon

Roslyn, N.Y., October 19, 2005 — St. Francis Hospital, The Heart Center®, today unveiled its newly remodeled Women's Center, a unique imaging facility tailored to the needs of women. The facility features the most advanced diagnostic technology and was renovated to provide a bright, cheerful and soothing environment.

The renovation of the Women's Center was made possible by the generosity of Mrs. Nancy DeMatteis. Hospital leaders, staff members, members of the Guild of St. Francis and physicians attended a reception today in celebration of the newly remodeled Center.

A health seminar on October 20th at 7:00 p.m. will kick-off community education events at the remodeled center. "Take Time For Yourself...Learn, Laugh and Live!" features well-known comedian Jane Condon, whose credits include appearances on The View (ABC) and Girls' Night Out (Lifetime). Dr. Nancy Dintenfass, Director, Women's Imaging Services, will discuss breast MRI imaging; Dr. Mark Silberman, a plastic surgeon at St. Francis Hospital, will discuss plastic and cosmetic surgery; and Dr. Dwight De Risi, a surgical oncologist and breast surgeon at St. Francis Hospital, will speak on advancements in breast surgery. The seminar is sponsored by Suros Surgical Health Systems, Inc.

"Our goal at the Women's Center of St. Francis Hospital is to offer women the most advanced diagnostic techniques in a setting where each patient receives the personal attention and compassion she deserves," said Dr. Nancy Dintenfass. "Through the generosity of Nancy DeMatteis, we have made that goal a reality."

For more than three decades, Nancy DeMatteis and her late husband Fred have played a significant role in advancing the mission of St. Francis Hospital. Mrs. DeMatteis is a philanthropic leader and past president of the Guild of St. Francis. She inaugurated the Hospital's annual Golf Classic and is a champion of the Hospital's Women's Center. Mr. DeMatteis was Chairman of the Hospital's Board of Trustees from 1985-1987 and a longtime member of the Board. He was a leader in the acquisition of The DeMatteis Center in Greenvale, which propelled St. Francis Hospital into the forefront of cardiac research and education.

The Women's Center offers the latest technology, along with a high level of comfort, convenience, and patient-focused care. The Center's dedicated team of physicians, nurses, and technologists are experts in the latest techniques that provide the earliest diagnosis of many women's health issues.

"As a diagnostic radiologist specializing in women's health, practicing at the Women's Center is the fulfillment of my dream to provide state-of-the-art care to the community," said Angela Capo-Granata, M.D., another physician at the Women's Center.

A wide range of diagnostic and interventional modalities are offered:

° Digital mammography with computer-aided detection (CAD)

° Breast MRI and MRI-guided breast biopsy

° Stereotactic biopsy

° Ultrasound biopsy, and other ultrasound: breast, pelvic, abdominal, thyroid, renal and sonohysterography

° Bone densitometry

The Women's Center of St. Francis Hospital is accredited by the American College of Radiology (ACR) and the FDA. The Women's Center is also accredited by the ACR for gynecological ultrasound services. Consultation and second opinions on abnormal mammogram or ultrasound findings are available.

About St. Francis Hospital

St. Francis Hospital, The Heart Center® is New York State's only specialty designated cardiac center and is one of the five busiest heart centers in the United States. It is one of only eight hospitals in New York State with risk-adjusted mortality rates significantly below the statewide average for isolated coronary artery bypass surgery, or valve replacement, or valve and coronary artery bypass surgery. In addition, St. Francis Hospital offers a first-class program in orthopedic, abdominal, eye, ear-nose-throat, breast, urological, plastic and vascular surgery, with exceptional experience and expertise in the latest minimally-invasive and laparoscopic techniques.

A leader in cardiovascular care for more than 50 years, St. Francis Hospital is a member of Catholic Health Services of Long Island (CHS).

Contact us at 1.888.HEART.NY or visit us at http://stfrancisheartcenter.chsli.org.

Contact: Paul Barry, 516-705-6657, paul.barry@chsli.org