HHC ACTING PRESIDENT ALAN AVILES ANNOUNCES TERMINATION OF BELLEVUE HOSPITAL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

NEW YORK CITY - May 24, 2005

Based on the preliminary results of an investigation of a complaint made to the Inspector General of the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) and the New York City Department of Investigation, Alan D. Aviles, Acting President of HHC terminated the employment of Carlos F. Perez, Network Senior Vice President and Executive Director of Bellevue Hospital Center. The termination is effective immediately. Mr. Perez has held his current position since 1997.

Mr. Aviles took this action in consultation with the HHC Board of Directors and the investigators following an admission made by Mr. Perez to investigators that, among other things, he had accepted a personal loan from a vendor who transacts business with HHC. As there is an ongoing investigation regarding this matter, HHC is unable to provide more details at this time.

Mr. Aviles stated, "We have no tolerance for unethical conduct at our City’s public hospitals. This breach of the public trust is a disservice to our patients and the thousands of HHC employees who are dedicated, hardworking and honest."

Mr. Aviles has asked HHC's Senior Vice President of Operations and Chief Operating Officer, Frank J. Cirillo, to assume the Executive Director's post at Bellevue on an interim basis. Mr. Cirillo has held several senior management positions during a twenty-three year career at HHC.