DENVER, Apr 14, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- DaVita Inc. (NYSE: DVA), a leading provider of kidney care services for those diagnosed with end stage renal disease (ESRD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD), announced today that the company is hosting celebrations at hundreds of locations around the nation over the course of the next four days, April 14-17, to honor its teammates' (employees') continued dedication to patient care and commitment to the company's mission and values.

"We strongly believe that a community produces most what it honors most," said Kent Thiry, chairman and CEO of DaVita® stated. "At DaVita, we reward people for success in the marketplace, but we honor noble human behavior. These four days, in hundreds of celebrations all over the country, we will thank everyone and honor those special teammates who best exemplify our mission and values."

DaVita has improved clinical outcomes year over year since 2000, and clinics and business offices across the nation will celebrate achievements like this by hosting daytime and evening events for DaVita's 35,000 teammates and their loved ones. Awards will be presented to teammates for their commitment to DaVita's core values - service excellence, integrity, team, continuous improvement, accountability, fulfillment and fun. Teammates will have the chance to commend each other for their exceptional work by writing thank-you notes that will be read at their local celebrations.

DaVita is a registered trademark of DaVita Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

About DaVita

DaVita Inc., a Fortune 500® company, is a leading provider of kidney care in the United States, delivering dialysis services and education to patients with chronic kidney failure and end stage renal disease. As of Dec. 31, 2010, DaVita operated or provided administrative services at 1,612 dialysis facilities serving approximately 125,000 patients. DaVita develops, participates in and donates to numerous programs dedicated to transforming communities and creating positive, sustainable change for children, families and our environment. The company's leadership development initiatives and corporate social responsibility efforts have been recognized by Fortune, Modern Healthcare,Newsweek and WorldBlu, among others. For more information, please visit www.davita.com.

SOURCE: DaVita

DaVita
Skip Thurman, 303-405-2296
Skip.Thurman@DaVita.com