Winthrop CEO Announces Retirement Plans

.Daniel P. Walsh, Winthrop's President and Chief Exectuive Officer.

Following ten successful years at Winthrop-University Hospital and an illustrious 35-year career in healthcare, Daniel P. Walsh, Winthrop's President and Chief Executive Officer, announced today his plans to retire effective June 30, 2009.

"After 35 years in the healthcare profession, I recognize that all good things must eventually end, so that we may fully embrace and enjoy that time in our life that we have worked so hard for," said Mr. Walsh in addressing the Winthrop team. "I have been rewarded in more ways than you can imagine through the opportunities that I have had to work with a truly magnificent group of people... and there has never been a question in my mind that the Winthrop team is unmatched and very special."

Mr. Walsh has been with Winthrop since January 1999. Under Mr. Walsh's leadership, Winthrop has maintained a warm and caring atmosphere while developing into a nationally-recognized major regional healthcare provider.

Among his many accomplishments at Winthrop, the Hospital's Emergency Department underwent a major expansion and renovation, which included the addition of a new Fast Track Unit, the dedicated Phyllis and Nathan J. Mistretta Chest Pain Unit, a separate Pediatric Emergency Room, and an expanded ambulance bay. The Hospital then built the first and only Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit (ICU) on Long Island, a new Heart Surgery Center, and the comprehensive Hagedorn Pediatric Inpatient Center. Further expanding cardiac services at Winthrop, Mr. Walsh spearheaded the creation of the John D. Miller Interventional Cardiology Pavilion, which includes four sophisticated cardiac catheterization laboratories and a new, expanded Electrophysiology Center. Also during his tenure, Winthrop's on-campus Ambulatory Surgery Unit was expanded, and the Hospital developed a new off-site Ambulatory Surgery Center in Garden City.

Keen on the importance of emerging technology in healthcare, Mr. Walsh was at the helm when Winthrop built the new, expanded McCann Endoscopy Center, equipped with the latest technology to perform the most sophisticated gastroenterology exams, and led Winthrop to establish the New York metropolitan area's first and only CyberKnife(r) Radiosurgery Center for treating patients with tumors once considered inoperable.

During the most recent year of Mr. Walsh's administration, Winthrop made major upgrades to the Hospital's diagnostic imaging resources, which now include a 128-slice computed tomography (CT) scanner, as well as two 64-slice CT scanners and additional state-of-art digital imaging technology.

Mindful also of the importance of spiritual and physical well-being, Mr. Walsh also championed the creation of a beautiful new, multi-faith Serenity Chapel at Winthrop, as well as the development of the Winthrop Wellness Pavilion in Garden City.

Thanks to his visionary leadership - and his commitment to technology, infrastructure and excellence in medical care - Winthrop has been recognized with many prestigious designations and honored with a multitude of esteemed awards. In 2002 Winthrop was named a New York State Regional Perinatal Center (RPC), a prestigious designation that recognizes Winthrop's ability to deliver the highest level of obstetrical and perinatal care to patients throughout the region. In 2005, after the completion of the Neuroscience ICU and development of a committed 24/7 Stroke Team, Winthrop was designated a New York State Stroke Center by the NYS Department of Health. And in 2006, following the completion of the Hagedorn Pediatric Inpatient Center, Winthrop's Department of Pediatrics was admitted to the very selective National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions (NACHRI).

Winthrop has also been recognized by many prestigious independent healthcare organizations for the excellent healthcare delivered under Mr. Walsh's oversight, including recent awards from the American Heart Association, American Stroke Association, the Island Peer Review Organization (IPRO), and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Prior to joining Winthrop, Mr. Walsh was President and CEO of Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip, Long Island for more than 16 years. Mr. Walsh began his career in health care on Long Island as Director of Health Care Facility Planning and Review at the Comprehensive Health Planning Agency in 1974. This agency evolved into the Nassau-Suffolk Health Systems Agency where Mr. Walsh was named Deputy Executive Director. In 1978, he was named Chief Executive Officer of the Nassau-Suffolk Hospital Council, a trade association representing the 23 not-for-profit hospitals on Long Island.

Among his many leadership positions, Mr. Walsh has served as Chairman of the New York State Catholic Health Conference and the Nassau-Suffolk Health Systems Agency. He serves or has served on the Board of Directors of various local, state and regional health care associations including the Nassau Suffolk Hospital Council, the Healthcare Association of New York State and the Greater New York Hospital Association and, is currently serving as a member of the American Hospital Association's Regional Policy Board for New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He is a Fellow of the American College of Health Care Executives (ACHE), and the recipient of the Senior Executives Award presented by the local chapter of ACHE.

Mr. Walsh has been recognized for his community service by Circulo de la Hispanidad, Inc., The Coalition for Community Well Being, Inc., Hispanic Counseling Service Center, Inc., the American Heart Association, and received the prestigious David Award presented by Networking Magazine in 2007. Mr. Walsh has personally worked on behalf of the Fireman's Museum in Uniondale, the Ursuline Sisters of Tildonk in Blue Point and The Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, who recently honored him as the 2007 "Friendly Son" for his work in healthcare on Long Island.

Mr. Walsh holds a Master's degree in Healthcare Administration from the University of Minnesota, a Master of Business Administration from Michigan State University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Rutgers University.