DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 11, 2009-- DaVita Inc. (NYSE: DVA), a leading provider of kidney care services for those diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD), today announced the appointment of Scott Drake as Senior Vice President of Operations. He will report to Chief Operating Officer Dennis Kogod and Chief Executive Officer Kent Thiry.

Drake joins DaVita® with 20 years of experience in the health care industry, the last 17 years of which he spent with Covidien (formerly Tyco Healthcare and Kendall Healthcare Products). He most recently served Covidien as Global Business Unit President, Respiratory and Monitoring Solution – a role requiring oversight of approximately $1.5 billion in annual revenue and 8,000 employees. After taking control of a business unit suffering from negative growth, he quickly engineered a turnaround through the implementation of a new strategic plan, a relocation of headquarters to Colorado, the recruitment of hundreds of new employees and the launch of the unit’s first meaningful new products in years.

“Scott Drake is a proven leader in the health care industry and he is certain to play a big role in DaVita’s ongoing mission to be the provider, partner and employer of choice in the kidney care industry,” said Kent Thiry, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DaVita.

Drake received his bachelor’s degree in business from Miami University of Ohio.

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

About DaVita Inc.

DaVita Inc., a FORTUNE 500® company, is a leading provider of kidney care in the United States, providing dialysis services and education for patients with chronic kidney failure and end stage renal disease. DaVita has been recognized as the only FORTUNE 500® company on WorldBlu’s annual List of Most Democratic Workplaces™. As of September 30, 2009, DaVita operated or provided administrative services at 1,513 outpatient dialysis facilities and acute units in approximately 700 hospitals located in 43 states and the District of Columbia, serving approximately 117,000 patients. As part of DaVita’s commitment to building a healthy, caring community, DaVita develops, participates in and donates to numerous programs dedicated to transforming communities and creating positive, sustainable change for children, families and our environment. For more information about DaVita, its kidney education materials and its community programs, please visit www.davita.com.

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Source: DaVita Inc.

DaVita Inc.
Craig Handzlik, 310-536-2542
Craig.Handzlik@DaVita.com