Leading Advocate for Patient Empowerment Joins American Healthways; Dr

    Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

    NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 20, 2005--American Healthways, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMHC) has entered into a strategic consulting relationship with Marie Savard, M.D., a nationally-recognized internist and advocate for patient empowerment and has purchased the rights to The Savard System(TM), which helps patients create and maintain personal copies of their medical records and pertinent health information. Dr. Savard will work closely with American Healthways' product development team to enhance the way its disease management programs equip patients to take control of their health.
    "I have dedicated my career to providing patients with the tools and information they need to optimally manage their health in collaborative partnership with their practitioners, and American Healthways is the perfect company to continue my life's work," said Dr. Savard. "I couldn't be more honored and excited to see this company integrate my personal health management tools and expertise into the important work they are doing with patients across the country."
    Since The Savard System's 1998 inception, more than 45,000 patients have used it to create and maintain personal copies of their medical records. American Healthways and Dr. Savard are currently working to incorporate The Savard System into American Healthways' programs.
    "Dr. Savard has an unparalleled commitment to empower patients, and we are excited to gain her perspective as we continue to bridge the gaps in health care in support of improved outcomes for patients and physicians," said President and Chief Executive Officer Ben R. Leedle Jr. "We believe the incorporation of The Savard System is a way to provide practitioners with the information they need at each and every point of care, enabling real time patient-controlled access to comprehensive, up-to-date clinical information where it's needed most: the point of medical decision making."
    In addition to founding The Savard System, Dr. Savard is the author of two related books, How to Save Your Own Life (Warner Books) and The Savard Health Record (Time-Life Books). She recently completed a third book titled Apples & Pears: The Body Shape Solution for Weight Loss and Wellness (Simon and Schuster).
    Dr. Savard earned her medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania and has spent 30 years caring for patients, first as a nurse and then as a primary care physician. She is a former director of the Center for Women's Health and associate professor at the Medical College of Pennsylvania/Hahnemann Hospital. She was a technical advisor to the United Nations' Fourth World Conference on Women, has held committee posts within the American Board of Internal Medicine and serves on the Board of Trustees for the University of Pennsylvania and the Board of Overseers for its School of Nursing. She recently was named to the Public Policy Board of the Susan B. Komen Foundation.
    Dr. Savard speaks frequently before medical groups, corporations, women's groups and government hearings and is an ongoing expert resource for national news organizations.

    About American Healthways

    American Healthways is the nation's leading and largest provider of specialized, comprehensive disease management, care enhancement and high-risk health management services proven to improve the quality of health care and lower costs. As of Nov. 30, 2004, the Company had more than 1.4 million lives under management nationwide. For more information, visit www.americanhealthways.com.

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CONTACT: American Healthways Inc., Nashville Kriste Goad, 615-263-7524 kriste.goad@amhealthways.com www.americanhealthways.com

KEYWORD: TENNESSEE INDUSTRY KEYWORD: SPORTS MEDICAL CONSUMER/HOUSEHOLD ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE PRODUCT MANAGEMENT CHANGES SOURCE: American Healthways, Inc.

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