TORRANCE, Calif., Jan. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Total Renal Care Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TRL), the nation's second-largest provider of dialysis services, today announced the appointment of David Barry as President and Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Barry, 41, has been hired to replace George DeHuff who will be leaving to pursue other opportunities.

"The rest of the Total Renal Care Board of Directors and I understand George's desire to be Chief Executive Officer of an independent company at this stage of his career," stated Kent J. Thiry, TRL's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "George played an invaluable leadership role during a very difficult period for the company. Even more impressive, he was willing to stay on to support the company during my transition to Total Renal Care. I am personally very grateful to him."

Mr. Barry has more than 19 years of healthcare and dialysis experience. Previously Mr. Barry worked with Kent Thiry as part of the Vivra Incorporated team where he was President of Vivra Renal Care, the nation's second largest dialysis services business, from 1994-1997. In 1997 Vivra Renal Care was sold to Gambro AB.

Mr. Thiry said, "The Board and I are elated to announce that David will fill the gap created by George DeHuff's departure. David's experience with and enthusiasm for the dialysis industry are valuable assets given the mix of challenges and opportunities Total Renal Care faces."

Recently, Mr. Barry co-founded and served as the Chief Executive Officer of a venture-backed, at-home assisted living company. Mr. Barry earned a BS degree in Rehabilitative Medicine from the University of Washington in 1980.

Mr. Barry will report to Kent Thiry, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and will assume his responsibilities as President and Chief Operating Officer of Total Renal Care effective in March, 2000. During the next two months Mr. Barry will be transitioning his current responsibilities and will begin working with the Total Renal Care team on a part-time basis.

Total Renal Care Holdings, Inc., based in Torrance, California, is the nation's second-largest provider of dialysis services for patients suffering from chronic kidney failure. The Company owns and operates kidney dialysis centers and home peritoneal dialysis programs domestically in 32 states, as well as Washington, D.C. It also provides acute hemodialysis services to inpatients at approximately 330 hospitals. As of December 1, 1999, Total Renal Care operated 488 outpatient dialysis facilities serving over 40,000 patients.

SOURCE Total Renal Care Holdings, Inc.

CONTACT: LeAnne Zumwalt, investors, of Total Renal Care, Inc., 310-792-2600, ext. 2449/