SMBI Symbion (MM)

Symbion, Inc. (NASDAQ/NM:SMBI), an owner and operator of short stay surgery centers, announced today that it has acquired a majority interest and consolidating position in the Center for Special Surgery, LLC, a multi-specialty ambulatory surgery center located in Greenville, South Carolina. The Center for Special Surgery, LLC began operations in September 2002 and includes two operating rooms and one minor procedure room. Presently, there are eight physician partners, four orthopedic surgeons and four hand surgeons, who each own an interest in the Center. Commenting on the announcement, Richard E. Francis, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of Symbion, said, "We are very excited to be expanding our national footprint to include South Carolina, our 23rd state, through the acquisition of the Center for Special Surgery, LLC. We believe this facility is a quality addition to the Symbion network, and we look forward to working with the excellent group of physicians and other healthcare professionals associated with the Center to expand the scope of services offered to the Greater Greenville area, which is one of the fastest growing areas of the state." Symbion, Inc., headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, owns and operates a network of 62 short stay surgery centers in 23 states. The Company's centers provide non-emergency surgical procedures across many specialties.