Community Health Systems, Inc.'s Wayne T. Smith and Larry Cash Named America's Top Healthcare CEO and CFO

FRANKLIN, Tenn., March 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Community Health Systems, Inc. (NYSE: CYH), its chairman, president and chief executive officer, Wayne T. Smith, and executive vice president and chief financial officer, Larry Cash, have been recognized by Institutional Investor magazine as the number one investor relations company, CEO and CFO, respectively, in the healthcare and managed care sectors. This is the fourth consecutive year Smith has received the top honor and the sixth consecutive year for Cash.

Nearly 570 sell-side analysts at over 100 of America's most prestigious securities firms participated in the survey to select the 2010 All-America Executive Team. Investors were asked to name the best CEO, CFO and investor relations company in each of the sectors in which they invest.

"Larry and I have the utmost respect for the investment community and we appreciate their recognition," said Smith.  "We work with an outstanding team of professionals who operate with the highest standards every day. We are grateful for their efforts and for the confidence they inspire in our organization."

Located in the Nashville, Tennessee, suburb of Franklin, Community Health Systems, Inc. is the largest publicly-traded hospital company in the United States and a leading operator of general acute care hospitals in non-urban and mid-size markets throughout the country.  Through its subsidiaries, the Company currently owns, leases or operates 122 hospitals in 29 states with an aggregate of approximately 18,000 licensed beds.  Its hospitals offer a broad range of inpatient and surgical services, outpatient treatment and skilled nursing care.  In addition, through its QHR subsidiary, the Company provides management and consulting services to over 150 independent non-affiliated general acute care hospitals located throughout the United States.  Shares in Community Health Systems, Inc. are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "CYH."

SOURCE Community Health Systems, Inc.