TORONTO, Dec. 14, 2016 /CNW/ - Centric Health Corporation ("Centric Health" or "the Company") (TSX: CHH), Canada's leading diversified healthcare services company, today announced the appointment of Mr. Leslie Cho as Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"), effective immediately. Mr. Cho has served as the Company's interim CFO since June 17, 2016, and that appointment has now been made permanent.

"We are very pleased to have Leslie continue his excellent work at Centric Health and join us in a permanent capacity as our CFO," said David Cutler, President and Chief Executive Officer, Centric Health Corporation. "Since joining Centric Health, Leslie has proven himself an integral part of the executive team and a valuable contributor to our financial strategy, evidenced by his rapid career trajectory. In his term as interim CFO, Leslie has been instrumental in continuing the momentum in our balance sheet strategy, and been a valuable asset in our recent transactions, including the acquisition of CareRx Pharmacies and our long-term strategic partnership with Guardian and IDA."

Mr. Cho holds the Chartered Professional Accountant designation, and began his career in accounting with five years at KPMG, where he took on progressively increasing responsibilities in advising public and private companies on a host of complex issues and transactions. After a role in equity research at RBC Capital Markets, Mr. Cho joined the finance team at Centric Health as Director, Financial Reporting in January 2015, and was promoted to Senior Director and Controller in February 2016.

About Centric Health

Centric Health's vision is to be Canada's most respected provider and brand in the independent healthcare sectors in which it operates, world renowned for delivering the highest levels of quality care and outcomes, innovative solutions and value to patients, clients and stakeholders. To this end, Centric Health primarily focuses on two core healthcare businesses:

• The Specialty Pharmacy division is composed of a growing national network of fulfilment centres that offer high-volume solutions for the cost effective supply of chronic medication and other specialty clinical services, serving more than 27,500 residents in over 375 seniors communities (long term care facilities, retirement homes and assisted living facilities) nationally. The Specialty Pharmacy division also provides pharmaceutical dispensing services for employees insured by corporate health plans.
• The Surgical & Medical Centres division is Canada's largest independent surgical provider operating six facilities across four provinces. It serves a diversified customer base with private paid non-insured surgeries and diagnostics, government outsourcing of insured surgeries and diagnostics and other procedures funded by third-party payors (including Workers Compensation) and is the proud owner of Canada's first Centre of Excellence in Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.

With national networks of facilities in each of its businesses, deep knowledge and experience of healthcare delivery and extensive, trusted relationships with payers, physicians, and government agencies, the Company is uniquely positioned to address current and future healthcare needs in growing markets as the Canadian healthcare industry continues to evolve over the medium to long term.

SOURCE Centric Health Corporation