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Rio Tinto Energy America Colowyo Mine Gives Donation for PMC Electronic Medical Records Program

Meeker--October 2, 2006— Rio Tinto Energy America Colowyo Mine has pledged to be one of the leading energy organizations to partner with Pioneers Medical Center to implement an Electronic Medical Records program. On Monday, October 2, 2006 employees from Rio Tinto-ColoWyo presented Pioneers Medical Center with a check for Phase I of the Information Technology and Electronic Medical Record Futures Program.

“We are extremely grateful for the support of Rio Tinto and its Colowyo operation. This grant leads the way for our IT project,” said Robert Omer, Chief Executive Officer, Pioneers Medical Center. This month Pioneers Medical Center will go before the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) to seek a $500,000 Electronic Medical Records Grant.

Keith Haley, Colowyo General Manager, said, “Sustainable development in neighboring communities is a commitment of Rio Tinto’s worldwide. We believe it’s important for community infrastructure and support programs to be continually improved both for people today and for future generations. Since healthcare is such a critical part of any community, we feel the Electronic Medical Records program is a project well worth the investment.”

“Pioneers Medical Center is striving to keep healthcare costs down. Implementing an Electronic Medical Records program will improve patient care and increase efficiency,” continued Omer. “Modern information technology is essential to providing high quality, cost-effective care on the Pioneers Medical Center campus, and at distant points of patient service, including regional physicians and hospitals. Health promotion, disease prevention, and chronic care management will be improved through the application of modern IT and the EMR.” The overall project will put in place the software and infrastructure for an automated system of records that can follow patients through all aspects of their healthcare experience.

The IT & EMR Futures program is the outcome of an assessment of the existing system and planning for patients’ future needs. Between 2004 and 2005 Pioneers Medical Center experienced an average growth in overall patient services of over 10%. The vision of the program is to propel Pioneers Medical Center forward in its vision to be the leader in improving the health and well being of people in eastern Rio Blanco County.

“This is the first step in a 3-year project,” said Dondi Glasscock, Chair PMC Board of Trustees. “Pioneers Medical Center is working with the energy industry and other philanthropic organizations to help identify a major portion of the funding for this program. We are excited to announce that Rio Tinto-ColoWyo, Encana Gas & Oil and Williams Enterprises have pledged their financial support for Phase 1 of the Electronic Medical Records Program. “