FOR IMEDIATE RELEASE

AAEEH Selects Premier Purchasing Partner as GPO

Arlington, VA (July 13, 2006) – The American Association of Eye and Ear Hospitals (AAEEH) announces that after an intense selection process headed by consultant Howard Sanders, President of H.E. Sanders & Associates, the Association has chosen Premier Inc. as its group purchasing partner. The new contract with Premier Inc. to serve the members of the AAEEH will run through June 2010.

"We are confident that Premier, Inc. will serve the Association’s needs as thoroughly as they have in the past," said Robert Betz, Ph.D., AAEEH Executive Director. "We thank the other highly qualified group purchasing organizations which offered their proposals during the RFP (request for proposal) process."

Several qualified GPOs responded to the Association’s RFP. After considering each proposal, with the assistance of Mr. Sanders, AAEEH decided to renew its relationship with Premier.

Questions about the AAEEH purchasing program can be addressed by contacting Dr. Betz at (703) 243-8848 or by email at rbetz@robertbetz.com.

The AAEEH is comprised of the premier institutions for specialized eye and ear procedures. Five member facilities of the AAEEH were ranked among "America’s Best Hospitals" in the fields of ophthalmology and otolaryngology by U.S. News & World Report, in its 17th annual edition. These AAEEH members offer some of the most innovative teaching programs in the world, routinely treat the most severely ill eye and ear patients, and provide highly specialized services not available in general acute care hospitals.