LOUISVILLE, Ky., Nov 17, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) --

Kindred Healthcare, Inc. (the "Company") (NYSE:KND) today announced the appointment of Dr. Sally Brooks as Vice President of Physician and Medical Development for the Company.

In this new role, Dr. Brooks will lead efforts to foster positive and strong relationships with physicians and physician groups nationwide. This effort to build and enhance physician relationships is essential to Kindred's overall quality improvement, clinical program and business development strategy. She will report to Benjamin A. Breier, the Company's Chief Operating Officer.

Dr. Brooks will continue to work collaboratively with Dr. Keith Krein, Chief Medical Officer of the Company's Nursing Center Division, and Dr. Sean Muldoon, Chief Medical Officer of the Company's Hospital Division, to enhance physician and medical development for all of Kindred Healthcare and for each division as well.

Dr. Brooks joined the Company last November as Vice President and Medical Director in the Nursing Center Division in order to help develop and implement physician engagement strategies and clinical program development with a primary focus on Transitional Care Centers and Transitional Care Units.

Before joining Kindred, Dr. Brooks was employed at United Health Group and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield where she developed and implemented Medicare and Medicaid clinical programs that serve both ambulatory and nursing center populations. Dr. Brooks is a fellow of the American College of Physicians and American Geriatrics Society and serves on the national Board of Directors of the American Geriatrics Society.

"Dr. Brooks will assist in our physician and physician extender development strategy," Mr. Breier said. "Collaborative strategies, including partnerships with healthcare system physician groups, commercial insurance organizations and pilots with providers throughout the medical community, will all lend themselves to bolstering our goal of improving quality and becoming the leading post-acute provider in each of the communities we serve."

About Kindred Healthcare

Kindred Healthcare, Inc., a top-200 private employer in the United States, is a FORTUNE 500 healthcare services company based in Louisville, Kentucky with annual revenues of over $4.2 billion and approximately 54,700 employees in 40 states. At September 30, 2010, Kindred through its subsidiaries provided healthcare services in 650 locations, including 83 long-term acute care hospitals, 226 nursing and rehabilitation centers and a contract rehabilitation services business, Peoplefirst rehabilitation services, which served 341 non-affiliated facilities. Ranked as one of Fortune magazine's Most Admired Healthcare Companies in 2009 and 2010, 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.

SOURCE: Kindred Healthcare, Inc.

Kindred Healthcare, Inc.
Susan E. Moss
Vice President, Communications
502-596-7296