Graymark Healthcare Partners with Hillcrest Medical Center of Tulsa, Oklahoma to Deliver Comprehensive Sleep Care

OKLAHOMA CITY, April 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Graymark Healthcare Inc. (NASDAQ: GRMH), the nation's second largest provider of diagnostic sleep services and an innovator in comprehensive care for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), has joined forces with the Oklahoma Heart Institute of the Hillcrest Medical Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma to offer comprehensive sleep medicine services to city residents and the surrounding area.

The 691-bed Hillcrest Medical Center is the flagship of the Hillcrest HealthCare System (HHS). HHS is one of the largest health care systems in the city region, with approximately 5,000 employees who serve the communities of eastern Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Heart Institute (OHI), located on the Hillcrest Medical Center campus, is one of the state's largest hospitals dedicated exclusively to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of heart disease.

The new Oklahoma Heart Institute Sleep Care facility features six beds accommodating overnight stays in very comfortable surroundings designed for proper diagnosis, which is followed up by Graymark's comprehensive sleep medicine program. The facility is designed to accommodate 75 to 125 patients per month, and benefits from Hillcrest's existing highly-trained medical staff for the administration and management of Graymark's comprehensive care model.

"Our new partnership with Hillcrest demonstrates the increasing demand for sleep medicine in urban communities, particularly for the diagnosis and treatment of OSA," said Stanton Nelson, chairman and CEO of Graymark Healthcare. "Moreover, our selection by OHI, one of Oklahoma's most widely respected and highly acclaimed hospitals, reaffirms the high quality of sleep care we provide, as well as the effectiveness of our model for delivering this care via leading hospital centers."

Hillcrest Medical Center increases the total number of new hospital partnerships for Graymark to six this year, which is on pace to exceed the eleven it established in 2010, including 6 in the fourth quarter. This increasing number is the result of Graymark's successful nationwide campaign to deliver sleep medicine care in familiar, local surroundings, while ensuring the care meets the national standards it has set with its comprehensive, state-of-the-art program and OSA treatment technology.

Steve Struttmann, CEO of Oklahoma Heart Institute, commented: "We are impressed by the success of Graymark's unique approach to treating sleep-related health issues, particularly OSA. Given the relationship between OSA and the occurrence of heart disease and related ailments, we welcome this collaboration with Graymark as an important new addition to the range of services we provide the Tulsa-area community."

For more information, go to www.oklahomaheart.com/specialty_clinics/sleep_care.php or call 1-855-437-5337 (1-855-35-SLEEP).

Such hospital-based sleep medicine programs augment Graymark's company-owned, freestanding facilities, and represent the company's go-to-market strategy due to the relatively low start-up cost and more rapid deployment, as well as lower ongoing administrative time and expense. Graymark's OSA patients also benefit from the full and immediate resources of a well-established, professionally operated medical facility.

With the addition of Hillcrest, Graymark now operates a total of 97 sleep laboratories, comprised of 24 standalone or IDTF facilities in large communities and 73 hospital, provider or rural outreach sites. While these care environments may vary based on community need, Graymark ensures the quality and comprehensiveness of the services provided remain consistently at the highest standard.

In addition to treating all sleep disorders including narcolepsy, insomnia, and restless leg syndrome, Graymark specializes in the treatment of sleep apnea, a sleep disorder characterized by abnormal pauses in breathing. Each pause or "apnea" can last from a few seconds to minutes, and can occur from five to more than 30 times per hour. OSA is the most common form of apnea and occurs when the soft tissue in the airway obstructs breathing. The proper diagnosis and treatment of OSA is critical due to the many significant associated health risks, including stroke and cardiac disease.

Graymark Healthcare's effective five step clinical approach to managing sleep disorders includes a convenient referral process, accurate and timely assessment, diagnosis, treatment and long-term follow-up to maximize patient compliance. All steps are managed by a board certified Sleep Medicine physician. To find out more or to locate a sleep center near you, visit www.graymarkhealthcare.com.

About Hillcrest Medical Center

For more than 90 years, Hillcrest Medical Center has provided an environment of hope, health and healing. The 691-bed hospital is among Oklahoma's most widely respected and acclaimed hospitals, offering extraordinary care and a multitude of services in many areas. Hillcrest Medical Center is a proven leader in serving eastern Oklahoma's health care needs and has pioneered many "firsts" in technological and medical advancements on a local, state and national level. Hillcrest Medical Center is a service of Hillcrest HealthCare System (HHS), a comprehensive health system with approximately 5,000 employees who serve the communities of eastern Oklahoma. HHS is comprised of Hillcrest Medical Center, Oklahoma Heart Institute, Bailey Medical Center, Utica Park Clinic, Cushing Regional Hospital, and Henryetta Medical Center.  For more information, go to www.hillcrest.com or call 1-855-437-5337 (1-855-35-SLEEP).

About Graymark Healthcare

Headquartered in Oklahoma City, Okla., Graymark Healthcare Inc. (NASDAQ:GRMH) is the nation's second largest provider of sleep management solutions. In addition to diagnosing and treating over 80 sleep disorders, the company specializes in comprehensive care for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Graymark offers its services through 97 sleep laboratories throughout the United States, including standalone or IDTF facilities, rural outreach sites and hospital or provider agreements. For more information, visit www.graymarkhealthcare.com.

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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 filings are available on the SEC's website 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.