Rowlett, Texas – Tenet Healthcare Corporation (NYSE: THC) announced today that Lake Pointe Medical Center in Rowlett, Texas, led by Chief Executive Officer John Harris and his administrative team, has been selected to the company’s 2005 Circle of Excellence.

            Tenet’s annual Circle of Excellence award recognizes the winning hospitals’ accomplishments in a number of different areas and is intended to honor the teamwork, collaboration and cooperation that are required to operate a successful hospital.  Hospitals are evaluated based on such factors as high ratings for patient, employee and physician satisfaction, consistency of the hospital leadership team, proven success at overcoming difficult challenges, and financial performance.

            “Through the hard work and dedication of its leadership and staff, Lake Pointe Medical Center has become a role model for other Tenet hospitals and an essential part of the health care community in the area it serves,” said Reynold Jennings, Tenet’s chief operating officer.  “Under John’s leadership, Lake Pointe Medical Center strives to provide preeminent medical care for its patients, as well as excellent working conditions to attract and retain the best employees.  They are thoroughly deserving of Tenet’s highest award.”

            Harris, Chief Operating Officer Carolyn Jackson, Chief Financial Officer Mike Bierman, and Chief Nursing Officer Debbie Moeller are a major factor in the hospital’s success.  In addition to maintaining high levels of patient satisfaction, in 2003, the hospital was named a Solucient Top 100 Hospital for the third time.  Solucient is a leading health care research company.  Lake Pointe also completed a multi million renovation and expansion project.  The construction included a new Emergency Department, cath lab and sleep center, as well as expanded surgery and OB services.  

            Tenet’s regional executives nominate candidates for the Circle of Excellence from the hospitals they supervise. Winners are selected based on both objective criteria, such as patient, physician and employee satisfaction scores, and subjective evaluations. 

Lake Pointe Medical Center, part of Tenet Texas, is a 99-bed medical/surgical facility located at 6800 Scenic Drive in Rowlett, Texas.  Lake Pointe Medical Center has been serving the residents of East Texas and surrounding Dallas communities since 1987. The hospital provides a broad spectrum of medical and surgical services, including cardiology services, intensive care, obstetrical care, day surgery, outpatient testing and emergency services.   Lake Pointe Medical Center is accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, the nation’s oldest and largest hospital accreditation agency.  To learn more about Lake Pointe Medical Center, visit www.lakepointemedical.com.

Tenet Healthcare Corporation, through its subsidiaries, owns and operates acute care hospitals and related health care services.  Tenet’s hospitals aim to provide the best possible care to every patient who comes through their doors, with a clear focus on quality and service.  Tenet can be found on the World Wide Web at www.tenethealth.com.

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Some of the statements in this release may constitute forward-looking statements.  Such statements are based on our current expectations and could be affected by numerous factors and are subject to various risks and uncertainties discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended Dec. 31, 2004, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and periodic reports on Form 8-K.  Do not rely on any forward-looking statement, as we cannot predict or control many of the factors that ultimately may affect our ability to achieve the results estimated.  We make no promise to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of changes in underlying factors, new information, future events or otherwise.