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For Immediate Release

Hispanic College Fund Names Kaiser Permanente 2009 Corporation of the Year

Company Honored for Commitment to Diversity Within the Health Care Industry

Washington, D.C. (April 21, 2009) - Kaiser Permanente will be named the 2009 Corporation of the Year during the Hispanic College Fund's 16th annual gala, to be held on October 30, 2009 at the J.W. Marriott in Washington, D.C. The company will be honored for its commitment to increasing ethnic diversity within the health care industry - and in particular, for providing Latino students with opportunities to enter this growing field through their "College to Caring" scholarship and their extensive support of college preparation curriculum for Latino youth.

"We are proud to recognize Kaiser Permanente's commitment to the Hispanic community - and the future of our Hispanic youth - with the 2009 Corporation of the Year award," said Idalia Fernandez, president of the Hispanic College Fund. "Since we first began partnering with Kaiser Permanente five years ago, their support of our organization has grown substantially, and now they are one of the select companies that supports each and every one of our programs. Through Kaiser Permanente's support - which totals nearly $700,000 - we have been able to reach out to more Latino students to prepare them for success in college, career, and community."

George Halvorson, chairman and chief executive officer of Kaiser Permanente, will accept the award at the event.

"Diversity is fully integrated within Kaiser Permanente's business plan, and we are pleased to be named as the Hispanic College Fund's 2009 Corporation of the Year," said Halvorson. "Changing demographics dictate that diversity considerations play a significant role in how we deliver care. Being culturally competent as caregivers both helps us serve existing members and attract new ones. Diversity is also a critical piece of our values as a mission-driven organization. For us, diversity is not an add-on agenda, but a core business principle."

Kaiser Permanente has one of the most ethnically diverse workforces in corporate America, which mirrors the diversity of our membership and the communities we serve. We have long recognized the nexus between improved health outcomes and access to care. Workforce diversity plays a critical role in this regard. Through its award winning health care interpreter training program, now replicated in 26 states, and expanding translation services, Kaiser Permanente is a recognized leader in providing culturally and linguistically competent care and services to limited English proficient members and patients. Kaiser Permanente has spearheaded national efforts to increase the availability of qualified health care interpreters in the community creating Latino Centers of Excellence, innovative clinical models that respond to the health and language needs of specific populations, in three Kaiser Permanente regions across the country.

More than 500 attendees are expected at the event, including Fortune 500 executives, federal agency representatives, and leading Hispanic professionals in the fields of business, science, math, technology, engineering and health care.

With this award, Kaiser Permanente will join the ranks of the many distinguished companies that have been honored by the Hispanic College Fund for their commitments to Latino education. Past recipients of the award include: Sodexo, Marriott International, the Ford Motor Company, Lockheed Martin Corporation, MasterCard International and General Dynamics.

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About the Hispanic College Fund:

Founded in 1993, the Hispanic College Fund is a nonprofit organization that provides Hispanic high school and college students with the vision, resources, and mentorship needed to become community leaders and achieve successful careers in business, science, technology, engineering and math. The Hispanic College Fund has an annual budget of $6 million with 20 full-time employees. In 2006, the Hispanic College Fund received the Brillante award for "Nonprofit of the Year" form the National Society of Hispanic MBAs and in 2007, was recognized by USA Today as one of the nation's top 25 charities. In 2009, Charity Navigator assigned the organization a "four-star" rating, designating it as a nonprofit organization that achieves the highest standards of financial responsibility. To learn more, visit www.hispanicfund.org.

About Kaiser Permanente:

Kaiser Permanente is shaping the future of health care. We are America's leading health care provider and not-for-profit health plan. Founded in 1945, our mission is to provide high-quality, affordable health care services to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 8.6 million members in nine states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal physicians, specialists and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health. For more information, go to www.kp.org/newscenter.

Contact:

Anne M. Guarnera
Office: (202) 296-5400
Cell: (908) 418-7821
E-mail: aguarnera@hispanicfund.org