TORONTO, March 29, 2012 /CNW/ - Centric Health Corporation ("Centric Health" or "the Company") (TSX: CHH), Canada's leading diversified healthcare services company, is pleased to announce its plan to establish premier Centres of Excellence ("COE") across the country focusing on the provision of specialty niche healthcare services that offer the highest standards of care with cutting edge technology.  The initial focus will be to add COEs alongside existing services within the current infrastructure of Centric Health Surgical Centres. Centric Health is undertaking this endeavour in partnership with Canada's leading healthcare professionals, aligning the interests of all parties to ensure that patients' expectations are exceeded.

Speciality areas at COEs will include Orthopaedics, Bariatric, Executive Health, Fertility, Men's and Women Health, Cardiac Preventative Care and Diabetes, bringing early diagnosis and treatment programs to patients for timely care.

With the introduction of the Centric Health COEs, Dr. Glenn Copeland has been appointed as Medical Director of the Company's Surgical Centre Division. Dr. Copeland joined Centric Health in December 2011 following the acquisition of Performance Medical Group.

Dr. Copeland is the former CEO of Cleveland Clinic Canada and founder and former CEO of Feet First.  Dr. Copeland also held the position of CEO of Footmaxx International and Lifescreening Cancer and Prevention Centres.  Dr. Copeland has been a Consulting Orthopaedic Podiatrist with the Toronto Blue Jays since 1980. He is also the Founder and Clinic Director of the Rehab and Wellbeing Centre at Mount SinaiHospital since 2008.  Dr. Copeland is the Foot and Ankle Consultant to Canyon Ranch Spas and Founder of Healthy Feet Spa with Canyon Ranch Spa in Las Vegas, Nevada.  He is the author of five Canadian best-selling books on foot care including The Foot Doctor which has been translated into 12 languages.

"We are delighted to have Dr. Copeland lead this important strategic expansion for Centric," said Dr. Jack Shevel, Chairman of the Board, Centric Health. "Our seven Surgical Centers across Canada should benefit from his vast experience and relationships in the healthcare industry."

"I am thrilled to be a part of this innovative healthcare company and believe that specialised COEs and same day surgery centers will offer patients quality and cost effective care," said Dr. Copeland.  Dr. Copeland will work closely with physicians, specialists and other stakeholders across Canada to ensure the highest level of care with the best possible outcomes.

About Centric Health

Centric Health's vision is to be Canada's premier healthcare company, providing innovative solutions centered on patients and healthcare professionals. As a diversified healthcare company with investments in several niche service areas, Centric Health currently has operations in medical assessments, disability and rehabilitation management, physiotherapy and surgical centres, homecare, specialty pharmacy, wellness and prevention and home medical equipment. With knowledge and experience of healthcare delivery in international markets and extensive and trusted relationships with payers, physicians, and government agencies, Centric Health is pursuing expansion opportunities into other healthcare sectors to create value for all stakeholders through an unwavering commitment to the highest quality of care. Centric Health is listed on the TSX under the symbol CHH. For further information, please visit www.centrichealth.ca  and www.lifemark.ca. Centric Health's strategic advisor is Global Healthcare Investments & Solutions ("GHIS") (www.ghis.us). GHIS and entities controlled by shareholders of GHIS are currently the largest shareholders of Centric Health.

About Centric Health Surgical Centres

Providing innovative surgical solutions has always been an important tenet to our vision at Centric Health. We currently operate 7 surgical and medical centres across Canada.  Centric Health Surgical Facilities are accredited and offer services to patients with an ASA Level of 1, 2 or stable 3.  Our physicians are all members in good standing with their provincial colleges, have achieved a FRCSC in their chosen specialty and are licensed to practice in their province of choice.  Each Centric Health surgical facility offers patients pre and post-surgical care programs to properly manage expectations and facilitate successful recovery.

Centric Health Surgical Facilities include:

• False Creek (Vancouver, BC)
• Maples Surgical Centre (Winnipeg, MN)
• Canadian Surgical Services (Calgary, AB)
• Don Mills Surgical Unit (Toronto, ON)
• Blue Water Surgical (Sarnia, ON)
• Blue Water Diagnostics (Windsor, ON)
• Blue Water Diagnostics (London,ON)

As illustrated in the figure below, each surgical and medical centre offers a wide array of services and procedures:

This press release contains statements that may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation.  These forward-looking statements include, among others, statements regarding business strategy, plans and other expectations, beliefs, goals, objectives, information and statements about possible future events. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and assumptions that involve a number of risks, which could cause actual results to vary and in some instances to differ materially from those anticipated by Centric Health and described in the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur or, if any of them do so, what benefits Centric Health will derive there-from.