[Dignity Health] – The fifth-largest health system in the nation announced Monday that it has signed a definitive agreement for the acquisition of Valencia-based U.S. HealthWorks, the largest independent operator of occupational medicine and urgent care centers in the United States. The deal is subject to certain regulatory approvals and is expected to be finalized in August 2012. Terms were not disclosed.

Dignity Health is extending its mission into new care settings in order to deliver quality care more efficiently and improve the overall health status of the communities it serves. The acquisition reflects the organization’s vision to become a national, integrated delivery network by 2020.

U.S. HealthWorks, a portfolio company of Altaris Capital Partners and Three Arch Partners, operates 172 locations nationwide, and has a network of more than 2,700 employees, including approximately 800 medical providers who deliver quality care to more than 12,000 patients each day.

“We are excited to bring U.S. HealthWorks into the Dignity Health family,” said Lloyd H. Dean, president/chief executive officer of Dignity Health. “This allows us to expand our health care ministry into 16 states, and it strengthens our ability to deliver the integrated, quality care that people expect and deserve.”

Based in Valencia, Calif., U.S. HealthWorks facilities offer occupational health care and urgent care services, preventive care, pre-employment and post-offer exams and screening, and return-to-work rehabilitative care. U.S. HealthWorks partners with more than 80,000 employers, many of which are Fortune 100 companies, to help manage and reduce the cost of work-related injuries.

“We are very pleased to become part of a dynamic organization like Dignity Health,” said Daniel D. Crowley, chief executive officer of U.S. HealthWorks. “Dignity Health provides a great platform for us to continue growing our network to provide high-quality health care services throughout the country.” Mr. Crowley will continue on as the president and chief executive officer of U.S. HealthWorks, which will operate through a wholly-owned, for-profit subsidiary of Dignity Health focused on the occupational health care practice.

Dignity Health plans to expand the U.S. HealthWorks operations nationally. The organization is also investing in ambulatory surgery and imaging centers through its partnerships with United Surgical Partners International (USPI) and SimonMed Imaging. Dignity Health currently has 17 joint-venture surgical centers with USPI, and 35 imaging centers with SimonMed.

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. acted as exclusive financial advisor to Dignity Health on the transaction. Goldman Sachs acted as exclusive financial advisor to U.S. HealthWorks.

About Dignity Health Dignity Health, headquartered in San Francisco, Calif., provides integrated, patient and family centered care. It is the fifth largest health system in the country with 10,000 physicians and 55,000 employees across Arizona, California, and Nevada. Through its network of more than 150 ancillary care sites and 40 acute care hospitals, Dignity Health is committed to delivering compassionate, high-quality, affordable health care services with special attention to the poor and underserved. In 2011, Dignity Health provided $1.4 billion in charity care, community benefit and unreimbursed patient care. For more information, please visit our website at www.dignityhealth.org . Dignity Health is also on Facebook and Twitter.

About U.S. HealthWorks Based in Valencia, U.S. HealthWorks was founded in 1995 and is owned by Altaris Capital Partners, Three Arch Partners, and management. It is the largest independent operator of occupational health care centers in the nation. With 172 clinics and worksites in 15 states and more than 2,700 employees — including approximately 800 medical providers — U.S. HealthWorks centers serve more than 12,000 patients each day throughout the country. U.S. HealthWorks centers help employers control work-related injury costs through quality medical care and effective management of claims and lost work time, specializing in early return-to-work programs, injury prevention and wellness programs. Visit us at www.ushealthworks.com . U.S. HealthWorks is also on Facebook and Twitter.