KINDRED HEALTHCARE SUPPORTS THE FLAG AND THE SACRIFICES IT REPRESENTS
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (May 27, 2009) -- Kindred Healthcare (NYSE: KND) is proud of its history of supporting our employees and their families who have served our country through military service. We are sincerely sorry that one incident between two employees gave the perception that we do not respect the flag or the sacrifice it represents.
It is neither the policy of Kindred Healthcare nor Kindred Hospital Mansfield to restrict the rights of our employees and their expressions of patriotism. This is not in keeping with the spirit and culture of Kindred Healthcare. We routinely celebrate the blessings bestowed upon us by honoring our veterans and active military through a variety of benefits and service programs. The truth is the Mansfield hospital situation has not been described accurately or in its entirety. In fact, both employees involved in the situation have family members who have served in the military.
This issue was simply a dispute between two employees who shared a small workspace, one of whom removed the flag because of its size. It’s important to note that hospital management was not involved in the decision to remove the flag and has since worked with both employees to resolve the situation. We support our employees’ first amendment rights and have invited the employee to rehang her flag.
“We are sorry that this incident occurred,” said Benjamin
A. Breier, President of Kindred’s Hospital Division. “We organize
many activities and programs throughout the year to honor our veterans.
This year, in addition to our annual Independence Day celebrations, we
will proudly distribute American flags that our employees can display
in their workspaces. Our 55,000 hard-working employees serve our patients
and residents daily with innumerable acts of kindness and compassion.
We value and respect each of our employees and their commitment to high
quality care. We look forward to continuing to serve our communities and
our country.”
About Kindred Healthcare
Kindred Healthcare, Inc. is a healthcare services company, based in Louisville,
Kentucky, with annual revenues of over $4 billion and approximately 54,800
employees in 40 states. At March 31, 2009, Kindred through its subsidiaries
provided healthcare services in 661 locations, including 82 long-term
acute care hospitals, 228 skilled nursing centers and a contract rehabilitation
services business, Peoplefirst rehabilitation services, which served 351
non-affiliated facilities. Ranked first in Fortune magazine’s Most
Admired Companies “Health Care: Medical Facilities” category,
Kindred’s mission is to promote healing, provide hope, preserve
dignity and produce value for each patient, resident, family member, customer,
employee and shareholder we serve. For more information, go to www.kindredhealthcare.com.
CONTACT:
Susan E. Moss
Vice President, Communications
(502) 596-7296
