NEWS RELEASE
December 19, 2006

For more information, contact:
Alan Sender, Chief Operating Officer
(309) 827-6026
www.chestnut.org

CHESTNUT HEALTH SYSTEMS WELCOMES NEW REGIONAL MANAGER

Bloomington, IL-- Ms. Joan Hartman, M.Ed, CRADC, has been named the new regional manager of substance abuse services for Chestnut Health Systems.She will be responsible for providing strategic direction and oversight for all substance abuse treatment services in Chestnut’s Central Illinois locations, including inpatient and outpatient services for adults and adolescents, drug court services and school-based programs.Ms. Hartman will report to Chestnut’s Chief Executive Officer, Russell Hagen, and becomes the newest member of the ten-member executive leadership team.

Prior to joining Chestnut Health Systems, Ms. Hartman was the Director of Inpatient Behavioral Health, Access, Crisis and Chemical Dependency Services for the Robert Young Center in Rock Island, Illinois. She received her master’s degree in Education from the University of Louisville and has served in administrative roles since 1987.

"I am confident Ms. Hartman will build on the excellent programs that are already in place," said Chestnut CEO Russ Hagen. "She is experienced and talented and ready to enhance the wide range of services we have historically offered in Central Illinois."

ABOUT CHESTNUT HEALTH SYSTEMS
For more than 30 years, Chestnut Health Systems has offered a broad array of behavioral healthcare services to residents in Central and Southern Illinois, fulfilling its mission of “making a difference: improving quality of life through excellence in service”. Known throughout the state as one of the leading providers of substance abuse treatment & prevention, mental health counseling & housing, credit counseling, substance-abuse related research, training, and publications, and employee assistance & workplace services, Chestnut’s team of caring professionals now numbers about 700 full and part time staff.

To learn more about Chestnut Health Systems, please visit our website at www.chestnut.org or contact Dietra Kulicke, Director of Marketing & Communications at (309) 827-6026.