Graymark Healthcare Continues Rapid Growth Through Provider Contracts

OKLAHOMA CITY, Nov. 17, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Sleep apnea care leader Graymark Healthcare Inc., a Nasdaq-traded company (GRMH), today announced agreements to provide comprehensive sleep medicine services at the Heartland Surgical Specialty Hospital in Overland Park, Kan., and Heartland Imaging Center in Hastings, Neb.

The agreements allow patients to receive sleep medicine care within the familiar surroundings of their existing providers while Graymark Healthcare ensures comprehensive, state-of-the-art services.  

"Through routine screening and easy access to comprehensive care for sleep disorders we believe that a greater number of the 80 percent of previously undiagnosed patients with obstructive sleep apnea and other sleep disorders will receive the care that they need," said Stanton Nelson, chairman and CEO of Graymark Healthcare.

"Agreements like these help to integrate sleep care within patients' overall health care while increasing the utilization of existing resources within hospitals, clinics and medical practices," Nelson continued.

Graymark Healthcare will begin providing services immediately, including diagnostic testing and treatment for patients with obstructive sleep apnea and other sleep disorders.

Don Burman, CEO of Heartland Surgical Specialty Hospital, noted that patients with undiagnosed sleep disorders are at an increased risk when undergoing surgical procedures.

"Undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea can lead to significant complications for patients during surgery," Burman said. "We are proud to partner with Graymark Healthcare to provide pre-surgical testing to further our commitment to offer patients the highest quality care available."

Dr. Paul Wibbels of Hastings Internal Medicine emphasized the qualifications of Heartland Imaging Center's sleep medicine physicians.

"Hastings Sleep Center, a division of Heartland Imaging Center, is using one of the state's top pulmonologists to review sleep study results. His highly trained eyes will make sure Nebraskans with sleep disorders get the top-notch care they need," Wibbels said.

About Graymark Healthcare

Graymark Healthcare Inc. provides comprehensive care for people with sleep apnea. Graymark offers diagnostic services through its owned centers as well as through management agreements with hospitals, clinics and other care sites, including patients' homes. Graymark offers treatment for sleep apnea through regional sites and longer-term supportive care, including supplies, through its mail order and Internet-based programs. Graymark plans to continue its growth both internally and through strategic acquisitions related to the diagnosis and care of sleep apnea patients. Graymark is the nation's second largest provider of sleep medicine diagnosis and treatment.  

About Heartland Surgical Specialty Hospital

Heartland Surgical Specialty Hospital is a 48-bed facility with a focus on surgical and inpatient care, radiology and diagnostic imaging, and pain management. Heartland opened in 2003 and draws its more than 80 physicians from throughout the Kansas City area.

About Heartland Imaging Center

Hastings Sleep Center, a division of Heartland Imaging Center, specializes in diagnostic imaging and radiology in south-central Nebraska. Hastings Sleep Center is physician-owned and is accredited by the American College of Radiology for quality and safety. Hastings Sleep Center is located in Hastings Medical Park.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements that are based on the company's current expectations, forecasts and assumptions. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from the company's expectations, forecasts and assumptions. These risks and uncertainties include risks and uncertainties not in the control of the company, including, without limitation, the current economic climate and other risks and uncertainties, including those enumerated and described in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available on the SEC's Web site at www.sec.gov. Unless otherwise required by law, the company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE Graymark Healthcare Inc.