VAS Viasys Healthcare

VIASYS Healthcare Inc. (NYSE:VAS) announced today that it has been selected as the major supplier of ventilation products for Kindred Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:KND), a leading provider of long-term acute care hospital and skilled nursing services. VIASYS Healthcare, which offers a comprehensive selection of mechanical ventilators for use in long-term care facilities, intensive care units, emergency medical centers and home care, will work with Kindred Healthcare to provide its facilities with ventilation equipment and supplies. Through its subsidiaries, Kindred Healthcare currently operates 80 long-term acute care hospitals, 253 nursing centers, 39 pharmacies and a contract rehabilitation services business. Randy Thurman, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, VIASYS Healthcare Inc., commented, "The partnership between Kindred and VIASYS aligns the goals of each organization to provide the highest quality of patient care and health provider solutions. We are very excited to be working with Kindred in what we envision as a long-term, strategic relationship." ABOUT KINDRED HEALTHCARE, INC. Kindred Healthcare, Inc. through its subsidiaries operates hospitals, nursing centers, institutional pharmacies and a contract rehabilitation services business across the United States. ABOUT VIASYS HEALTHCARE INC. VIASYS Healthcare Inc. is a global, research-based medical technology company focused on respiratory, neurology, medical disposable and orthopedic products. VIASYS products are marketed under well-recognized trademarks, including, among others, AVEA(R), BEAR(R), BIRD(R), CORFLO(R), CORPAK(R), CORTRAK(R), EME(R), GRASON-STADLER(R), JAEGER(TM), LYRA(R), MEDELEC(R), MICROGAS(R), NAVIGATOR(R), NICOLET(R), NicoletOne(TM), PULMONETIC(TM), SENSORMEDICS(R), TECA(R), TECOMET(TM), VELA(R) and VMAX(R). VIASYS is headquartered in Conshohocken, PA, and its businesses are conducted through its Respiratory Care, NeuroCare, MedSystems and Orthopedics business units. More information can be found at http://www.viasyshealthcare.com.