DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 9, 2013-- DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc. (NYSE: DVA) today announced the long-planned mid-2014 transition of Robert Margolis, M.D., out of his role as CEO of the HealthCare Partners division (“HCP”), as announced at the time of the DaVita HealthCare Partners merger. Following the transition, he will focus on a range of initiatives including business development, service enhancement, supporting HCP’s management transition and future strategic projects. He will also continue to serve as co-chairman of the Board of Directors of DaVita HealthCare Partners.

“Bob has a long and distinguished history as the founder of HealthCare Partners. He has helped HCP become a national leader in coordinated care, patient-centered services and high-quality transparent results,” said Kent Thiry, CEO and co-chairman of DaVita HealthCare Partners. “We understand and support Bob’s desire to transition his role with the company and we look forward to his continued leadership and active engagement in many areas of the business.”

The company will work closely with Margolis to begin an orderly transition process for the CEO role near the middle of 2014. DaVita HealthCare Partners recently announced that Craig Samitt, M.D., has joined the company as executive vice president of HCP. Samitt was most recently the president and CEO of Dean Health Systems in Madison, Wisc., one of the largest integrated health care providers in the Midwest.

“I have worked to recruit and groom our future leaders, including Craig, for years and to serve our patients and communities with distinction,” said Dr. Margolis. “I’m as enthusiastic as ever about our model of care and look forward to continuing to shape it.”

HCP anticipates that, subject to board approval, Samitt will take on the role of CEO of the HealthCare Partners division of DaVita HealthCare Partners as part of the planned transition.

“I consider Bob Margolis to be this nation’s pioneer of population health, and HealthCare Partners to be our country’s best example of a physician-driven high-performing health system,” said Samitt. “Bob has been an inspiration and a mentor for nearly a decade, and it is an honor to join his team, carry on his legacy, and work side-by-side with DaVita HealthCare Partners as we continue to transformAmerican Healthcare.”

About DaVita HealthCare Partners

DaVita HealthCare Partners, a Fortune 500® company, is the parent company of DaVita and HealthCare Partners. DaVita is a leading provider of kidney care in the United States, delivering dialysis services to patients with chronic kidney failure and end stage renal disease. As of June 30, 2013, DaVita operated or provided administrative services at 2,010 outpatient dialysis centers in the United States serving approximately 159,000 patients, and at 48 centers in ten countries outside ofthe United States. HealthCare Partners manages and operates medical groups and affiliated physician networks in California, Nevada, Florida and New Mexico in its pursuit to deliver excellent-quality health care in a dignified and compassionate manner. As of June 30, 2013, HealthCare Partners provided integrated care management for approximately 733,000 managed care patients. For more information, please visit DaVitaHealthCarePartners.com.

Source: DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc.

DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc.
Skip Thurman, 303-876-6610
Skip.Thurman@davita.com