SOURCE: Healthline Networks, Inc.

June 19, 2007 09:00 ET

Healthline Networks Appoints 17th U.S. Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona, M.D., M.P.H., FACS, to Board of Directors

National Leader in Medicine, Health Policy, and Education Brings Global Experience to Healthline

SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwire - June 19, 2007) - Healthline Networks (www.healthline.com), the leading provider of intelligent health information services, today announced that the 17th Surgeon General of the United States (2002-2006), Richard H. Carmona, M.D., M.P.H., FACS, has joined the board of directors of Healthline Networks, Inc. In his role as a member of Healthline's board of directors, Dr. Carmona brings nearly 40 years of medical experience and a unique blend of public and private sector insights about the dynamic, global healthcare marketplace.

Dr. Carmona now serves as vice chairman of Canyon Ranch, chief executive officer of Canyon Ranch Health, and president of the nonprofit Canyon Ranch Institute. Dr. Carmona is also the Distinguished Professor of public health at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health at the University of Arizona and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Prior to serving as the 17th U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Carmona was chair of the State of Arizona Southern Regional Emergency Medical System; a professor of surgery, public health, and family and community medicine at the University of Arizona; and also held numerous positions in the Pima County, Arizona healthcare system.

"I am pleased that Healthline is collaborating with leading experts to ensure that all people have access to health information that they can understand and use," said Dr. Carmona. "Healthline recognizes the importance of improving health literacy and helping all Americans access the power of prevention to improve our nation's health and well-being, one person at a time. Their mission is my mission."

"As a medic, registered nurse, surgeon, and as Surgeon General of the United States, I have worked alongside my colleagues to help our patients and communities choose healthy behaviors to help prevent disease," said Dr. Carmona. "As the 17th U.S. Surgeon General and vice chairman of Canyon Ranch, disease prevention comes first in everything I do. To increase prevention across all sectors of society, both here at home and throughout the world, we must first improve health literacy. Today, low health literacy contributes to our nation's epidemic of overweight and obesity and the chronic diseases that often follow -- including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and many types of cancer."

Dr. Carmona noted that low health literacy also plays a significant role in health disparities and may contribute to lower quality health care and medical errors.

"We are very excited about Dr. Carmona joining our board of directors," said West Shell III, chairman and chief executive officer of Healthline. "His understanding of global healthcare issues and opportunities will provide Healthline with very valuable strategic insights, helping shape our consumer-driven product innovation to improve the way people manage their health."

Born and raised in New York City, Dr. Carmona enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1967. A high-school drop-out, he earned his Army GED and served in Army Special Forces as a medic and weapons specialist, ultimately becoming a combat-decorated Vietnam veteran. Dr. Carmona returned home and graduated from Bronx Community College with an associate of arts degree (1973), and from the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) with a bachelor of science degree (1977) and medical degree (1979). At UCSF, Dr. Carmona was awarded the prestigious gold-headed cane as the top graduate. He has also earned a master's in public health policy and administration from the University of Arizona (1998).

About Healthline

Healthline Networks offers an innovative approach to meeting the needs of today's health information seeker. The company's unique consumer healthcare taxonomy, the largest of its kind, powers a suite of intelligent health search, navigation, and content services. Combining advanced search technology with deep medical expertise, Healthline and its business partners -- a network of trusted destination sites that include publishers, portals, search engines, employers, and health plans -- help consumers navigate the complex world of healthcare information, empowering them to make more confident, informed decisions. Headquartered in San Francisco, Healthline is backed by JHK Investments, LLC; Mitsui & Co., Ltd.; Reed Elsevier Ventures; and VantagePoint Venture Partners.