IPC The Hospitalist Company Acquires Arizona Practice Group

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Feb. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- IPC The Hospitalist Company, Inc. (Nasdaq: IPCM), a leading national hospitalist physician group practice company, announced today that it has acquired the hospitalist practice of Arizona Medical Services, P.C., d.b.a. Old Pueblo Medical Consultants (Old Pueblo) in Tucson, Arizona. The acquisition of Old Pueblo represents continued expansion in the Tucson market, where IPC has a long-standing presence. Practicing in 22 skilled nursing facilities and 4 assisted living facilities, Old Pueblo has an annualized volume of more than 30,000 patient encounters.

Adam Singer, M.D., Chairman and CEO, said, "The purchase of Old Pueblo, our first for 2010, continues our acquisition program at a steady pace. In 2009 we completed eight acquisitions both in existing markets and in new markets. More and more hospitalist practice groups are looking to IPC for growth capital, business infrastructure, and experienced management, all key ingredients for achieving quality patient care and better alignment with the goals of the medical facilities."

John Wadleigh, D.O., founder and CEO of Old Pueblo, joins IPC as a Practice Group Leader for the Tucson region. Dr. Wadleigh commented, "IPC's excellent reputation for quality care, both in acute and long-term care facilities, provides us a significant opportunity to reach new levels of clinical integration and effective transition of care, to the benefit of our patients."  

About IPC The Hospitalist Company, Inc.

IPC The Hospitalist Company, Inc. (Nasdaq: IPCM) is a leading physician group practice company focused on the delivery of hospitalist medicine services. IPC's physicians and affiliated providers manage the care of hospitalized patients in coordination with primary care physicians and specialists. The Company provides its hospitalists with the comprehensive training, information technology, and management support systems necessary to improve the quality and reduce the cost of inpatient care in the facilities it serves. For more information, visit the IPC website at www.hospitalist.com.

SOURCE IPC The Hospitalist Company, Inc.