KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa., Jan. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE: UHS) announced today that it completed the previously announced acquisition of four acute care hospitals effective January 1, 2004. Three hospitals were acquired from Vista Health System and its affiliate including 228-bed Corona Regional Medical Center located in Corona, California, 112-bed French Medical Center located in San Luis Obispo, California and 65-bed Arroyo Grande Community Hospital located in Arroyo Grande, California. The Company also competed the acquisition of a 90% controlling interest in the 306-bed Pendleton Methodist Hospital in East New Orleans, Louisiana. The combined 2004 net revenue of these acquisitions is expected to be approximately $280 million.

Universal Health Services, Inc. is one of the nation's largest hospital companies, operating acute care and behavioral health hospitals, ambulatory and radiation centers nationwide, Puerto Rico and in France. It acts as the advisor to Universal Health Realty Income Trust, a real estate investment trust (NYSE: UHT).

Certain statements in this release may constitute forward-looking statements that are subject to various risks and uncertainties as discussed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company is not obligated to update these forward-looking statements even if the Company's assessment of these risks and uncertainties changes.

For additional information on the Company, visit our web site: http://www.uhsinc.com.

CONTACT:
Steve Filton
Chief Financial Officer, Universal Health Services
+1-610-768-3300