Dialysis Provider Recognized for Decentralization Model and Transparency

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., April 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- DaVita Inc., a leading provider of kidney care services for those diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, today acknowledged its being named as the first and only FORTUNE 500(R) company and only healthcare company to make the 2009 WorldBlu List of Most Democratic Workplaces(TM) since its inception in 1999. This is the second year the dialysis provider has been named to the list, which aims to promote democracy in the workplace. DaVita is one of only 40 companies named to the annual list sponsored by WorldBlu, an Austin-based nonprofit specializing in organizational democracy.

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"DaVita(R) is honored to once again make the WorldBlu List of Most Democratic Workplaces," said Kent Thiry, Chairman and CEO of DaVita. "DaVita teammates (employees) consistently voice their concerns and share their triumphs - although we don't always agree on every issue, we do strive to allow our 32,000 teammates to ask questions and voice their opinions in open forums."

As part of the application process, DaVita teammates (employees) completed a survey evaluating the company's practice of 10 democratic principles, such as "transparency, dialogue and listening, integrity, accountability and choice on a leadership, individual, and systems and processes level." WorldBlu developed the survey tool based on a decade of research into what makes a world-class democratic organization.

Private and non-profit organizations from the U.S., Canada, Mexico, England, India, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Malaysia made the list from the technology, healthcare, telecommunications, media, manufacturing, aerospace and retail industries, representing nearly $12 billion in combined annual sales.

DaVita is a registered trademark of DaVita Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

About DaVita Inc.

DaVita Inc., a FORTUNE 500(R) company, is a leading provider of kidney care in the United States, providing dialysis services and education for patients with chronic kidney failure and end stage renal disease. DaVita manages more than 1,400 outpatient facilities and acute units in more than 700 hospitals located in 43 states and the District of Columbia, serving approximately 110,000 patients. As part of DaVita's commitment to building a healthy, caring community, DaVita develops, participates in and donates to numerous programs dedicated to transforming communities and creating positive, sustainable change for children, families and our environment. For more information about DaVita, its kidney education materials, and its community programs, please visit www.davita.com.

SOURCE DaVita Inc.

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