Centric Health Completes Acquisition of Majority Interest in Performance Medical Group

TORONTO, Dec. 8, 2011 /CNW/ - With reference to the news release dated July 22, 2011, Centric Health Corporation ("Centric Health" or "the Company") (TSX: CHH), Canada's leading diversified healthcare services company, announced that all of the required regulatory approvals and closing conditions have been satisfied and it has completed the acquisition of, among other things, 75% of the issued and outstanding securities of Performance Orthotics Inc., Footcare Dispensary Inc., and Foot Stress Inc. (collectively "Performance Medical Group").  Performance Medical Group operates clinics in over 50 locations, largely in Ontario, offering state-of-the-art custom orthotics, custom bracing, laser and shockwave therapy.

"Performance Medical Group is a natural fit for Centric Health and enables us to expand our service offering across most of our business units. With time we hope to offer the full spectrum of services across Canada as the market further consolidates," said Daniel Carriere, Chief Executive Officer of Centric Health.

"My team and I look forward to working with Centric as we share many of the same philosophies and values and an unwavering commitment to provide quality care and products to our patients," said Dr. Glenn Copeland, founder and owner of Performance Medical Group.

About Performance Medical Group

For over 10 years Performance Medical Group has implemented its Lower Extremity Care Program in more than 50 clinics, largely in Ontario, Canada. With our experienced clinicians, Performance Medical provides patients with the opportunity to relieve lower extremity discomfort by correcting the underlying cause using our state-of-the-art computerized gait analysis technology, and offering custom-made products manufactured at our facility in Ontario, Canada.  Performance Medical Group is owned by Dr. Glenn Copeland, known as "The Foot Doctor" across North America, who has developed novel techniques to analyze the biomechanics of the foot.  Dr. Copeland is the consulting podiatrist for the Toronto Blue Jays and has also acted as a consultant to many other Major League Baseball teams.  He is on staff at Mount Sinai Hospital (Rehab and Wellbeing Clinic) in Toronto and is a leading educator of foot biomechanics.  A best-selling author, Dr. Copeland has written several books including The Foot Book and The Foot Doctor (with Stan Solomon). For further information, please visit www.performanceorthotics.com.

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 and wellness and prevention. 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 with 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, Inc. ("GHIS") (www.ghis.us).  GHIS and entities controlled by shareholders of GHIS are currently the largest shareholders of Centric Health.

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. 

For further information:
Peter Walkey
Chief Financial Officer
Centric Health
416-927-8400 ext. 9417
peter.walkey@centrichealth.ca
  Lawrence Chamberlain
Investor Relations
The Equicom Group
416-815-0700 ext. 257
lchamberlain@equicomgroup.com