Centric Health Announces First Closing of Public Offering of Units

/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES./

TORONTO, Dec. 22, 2011 /CNW/ - Centric Health Corporation ("Centric Health" or "the Company") (TSX: CHH) announced today that it has completed the first closing of its previously announced offering of units (the "Units") made pursuant to a shelf prospectus supplement dated December 13, 2011 to the Company's base shelf prospectus filed on October 21, 2011. The Company sold 1,000 Units at a price of $10,000 per Unit for gross proceeds of $10,000,000, with over 80% of the gross proceeds coming by way of a Directed Share Program.

"We are very pleased with the strong support we have received for the Offering from our employees and the many health care professionals across Canada," said Dr. Jack Shevel, Executive Chairman of Centric Health. "Building on the same culture of innovation with which we approach our business, this Offering is unique in the Canadian capital markets because it provides an opportunity for employees and associates to invest in an industry they serve and understand, while aligning healthcare providers with our pursuit to deliver a unique brand of care to consistently exceed patients' expectations.  At the time of this first closing, we have expanded our shareholder base with healthcare professionals and Centric Health employees throughout the country. The first closing also included significant participation from our management team."

"We believe the strong interest in our Offering is a direct result of the attractive structure of the units, with the intent to provide income and stability through the Notes and direct equity ownership in Centric Health through the Shares, Warrants and convertibility feature of the Notes," said Peter Walkey, Chief Financial Officer of Centric Health.

Centric Health will keep the offering open until a second and final closing, expected to occur on the earlier of the Company raising a total of $30 million under the Offering or the week of January 23, 2012, with pricing of the Common Shares, Notes and Warrants on the same terms as the first closing. Any Units issued in the second and final closing will be issued at a price of $10,000 per Unit plus the accrued interest, with respect to the Notes, from the first closing date to the final closing date (any Notes issued in the final closing will bear interest from December 22, 2011).

Each Unit is comprised of three components:

  • $2,000 worth of Centric Health common shares (the "Common Shares") equal to 1,283 Common Shares priced at $1.56 per share;
  • $8,000 principal amount of unsecured, subordinated, convertible notes (the "Convertible Notes") due December 22, 2016 which bear interest at an annual rate of 6% paid semi-annually; and
  • 1,283 Common Share purchase warrants (the "Warrants") each of which entitles the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share at a price of $1.66 per share on December 22, 2016.

The base shelf prospectus and the prospectus supplement relating to the offering were filed on SEDAR and can be obtained from SEDAR at http://www.sedar.com.

No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release. The securities being offered have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the ''U.S. Securities Act''), or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States unless pursuant to an exemption therefrom. This press release is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities of Centric Health in any jurisdiction.

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. 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 information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, among others, statements regarding the Offering, Centric Health's 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 (including, without limitation, those described in the Prospectus) which could cause actual results to vary materially from those anticipated by Centric Health and described in the forward-looking information contained in this press release. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking information will transpire or occur or, if any of them do so, what benefits Centric Health will derive therefrom.


 

For further information:
Peter Walkey
Chief Financial Officer
Centric Health
416-619-9417
peter.walkey@centrichealth.ca
        Lawrence Chamberlain
Investor Relations
TMX Equicom
416-815-0700 ext 257
lchamberlain@equicomgroup.com