KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa., Dec. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE: UHS) announced today that it has signed an agreement to acquire Lakeland Medical Center, located in New Orleans, Louisiana. The closing is expected to occur on or about January 31, 2004.

Lakeland Medical Center ("Lakeland") is a 156-bed, general acute care facility located in east New Orleans. This acquisition will increase the total number of UHS operated hospitals in the New Orleans market to three and is expected to allow for additional operational efficiencies. Lakeland produces approximately $40 million of annual revenue.

Universal Health Services, Inc. is one of the nation's largest hospital companies, operating acute care and behavioral health hospitals, ambulatory surgery and radiation centers nationwide, in Puerto Rico and 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 and 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/