For Immediate Release VANTAGE ONCOLOGY PARTNERS WITH ST. BERNARDINE MEDICAL CENTER TO OFFER STATE-OF-THE-ART SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY Radiation Oncology Company to Upgrade Radiation Treatment Equipment, Increase Patient Access to State-of-the-Art Treatments SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA Nov. 20, 2003 - Vantage Oncology Inc., an El Segundo, Calif.-based developer and operator of state-of-the-art radiation oncology centers, has acquired St. Bernardine Medical Center's radiation oncology service, renaming it Vantage Radiation Oncology Center at St. Bernardine Medical Center. St. Bernardine Medical Center is a member of the 41-hospital Catholic Healthcare West system. "This is a winning solution for all, allowing St. Bernardine to be responsive to the needs of the community by continuing to provide the highest quality health care services available," said Steve Barron, president of St. Bernardine Medical Center. "Vantage Oncology provides an exciting solution to our radiation oncology needs, bringing capital, the latest technology and extensive management experience. Over the years, St. Bernardine has had a strong and active radiation oncology program. This partnership demonstrates a commitment to enhancing our oncology program, ensuring the community will continue to receive the most advanced radiation oncology services on the hospital's campus, while also further enriching the Medical Center's services to the community and allowing St. Bernardine to direct budget funds toward other critical capital needs." Vantage Oncology will be investing approximately $3.5 million in new radiation treatment equipment and facility upgrades. The new technology will increase access to advanced treatment options, including Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), HDR Brachytherapy and Stereotactic Radiosurgery. The state-of-the-art equipment, which includes a Varian 21EX Linear Accelerator and CT Simulator, will be installed and operational in spring 2004. "We are pleased to be partnering with St. Bernardine Medical Center and Catholic Healthcare West to provide the San Bernardino community with access to the latest in technology," said Michael Fiore, chief executive officer of Vantage Oncology. "In combination with the expertise of the physicians and other clinical staff, patients will be provided with superior care." Valley Radiotherapy Associates Medical Group Inc. (VRA), which has been providing physician services at St. Bernardine Medical Center since July 2001, will continue to provide professional services through its agreement with Vantage Oncology. VRA also has established an extensive permanent seed implantation program for the treatment of prostate cancer, which is provided as an outpatient service at St. Bernardine Medical Center. "VRA is committed to providing San Bernardino with the highest quality patient care," said Leslie Botnick, M.D., medical director of Vantage Oncology and president of VRA. "Vantage Oncology's investment in the latest technology for the treatment of cancer in conjunction with the expertise of our two radiation oncologists serving the San Bernardino community, will allow us to continue to provide patients with access to the most advanced clinical treatment options." VRA physicians Paul G. Pagnini, M.D., medical director, and Terence J. Roberts, M.D., J.D, provide radiation oncology services to patients at the Vantage Radiation Oncology Center. Their special interests support sub-specialization in IMRT, HDR Brachytherapy, Seed Implantation and Stereotactic Radiosurgery. As part of one of the largest independent radiation oncology practices in the county, Drs. Pagnini and Roberts are supported by the collective expertise of the group's network of 30 physicians, as well as proven practice guidelines and treatment protocols to provide patient-focused care. About Vantage Oncology, Inc. Founded in May 2002, Vantage Oncology, Inc. develops and operates state-of-the-art radiation oncology centers. The company has an affiliation agreement with Valley Radiotherapy Associates Medical Group to provide clinicians, clinical systems and clinical treatment expertise. El Segundo, Calif.-based Vantage Oncology is led by a seasoned management team, including Chief Executive Officer Michael Fiore, Chief Development Officer/Chief Financial Officer Marshal Salomon, Vice President of Operations Milton Hinkle and Medical Director Leslie Botnick, M.D. Vantage Oncology received its first-round financing from Conning Capital Partners, Salix Ventures and Versant Ventures and was created in response to the growing need among cancer patients, hospitals and physicians for accessible and advanced radiation treatment therapies. For more information about Vantage Oncology, visit www.vantageoncology.com. About Valley Radiotherapy Associates Medical Group, Inc. Valley Radiotherapy Associates Medical Group, Inc. (VRA) was founded by Leslie E. Botnick, M.D. and Christopher M. Rose, M.D. in June 1983 to deliver radiation oncology services. Today, El Segundo, Calif.-based VRA has 30 board-certified radiation oncologists and provides advanced radiotherapy services to communities at 15 hospitals in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties in California, Denver and Vail, Colo., and Las Cruces and Santa Fe, N.M. VRA has distinguished itself during the past 20 years as one of the premier radiation oncology groups in the nation with a proven record of excellence in clinical treatment, superiority in service delivery and technical acumen to develop new programs. For more information about VRA, visit www.valley-radiotherapy.com. About St. Bernardine Medical Center St. Bernardine Medical Center has served the health care needs of the people of the Inland Empire since 1931. Founded upon the strong set of core values and dedication to the mission of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word of Houston, Texas, today's hospital is a direct result of the Sisters' vision. Throughout its history, St. Bernardine has been dedicated to providing quality medical care responsive to the needs of the community it serves. That care is delivered by an innovative team of highly-qualified professionals who treat each individual with dignity and respect. What makes St. Bernardine unique is its balance of leading edge technology, the most advanced techniques and compassionate care of body, mind and spirit. Services include: Emergency Services, Imaging Services, Inland Empire Heart Institute, Kidney/Pancreas Transplant Center, Maternal/Child Health Services, Neurological Care Services, Occupational Health Services, Oncology Services, Orthopedic Services, Outpatient Center, Rehabilitation Services and Surgical Services. For more information, visit www.stbernardinemedicalcenter.com. About Catholic Healthcare West Catholic Healthcare West (CHW), headquartered in San Francisco, is a system of 41 hospitals and medical centers in California, Arizona and Nevada. Founded in 1986, it is one of the nation's largest not-for-profit health care systems and the largest Catholic health care system based in the Western United States. CHW is committed to delivering compassionate, high-quality, affordable health care services with special attention to the poor and underserved. The CHW network of nearly 8,000 physicians and approximately 36,000 employees provides health care services to more than four million people annually. In 2003, CHW provided more than $422 million in charity care and unsponsored community benefit. For more information, please visit our website at www.CHWhealth.org. About Vantage Radiation Oncology Center at St. Bernardine Medical Center Vantage Radiation Oncology Center at St. Bernardine Medical Center provides radiation therapy services for the treatment of cancer to the San Bernardino community. The Center currently offers 3-D Conformal Radiation Therapy and will be providing IMRT, HDR Brachytherapy and Stereotactic Radiosurgery with the installation of advanced technologies in spring 2004. The Center also provides a full range of social support services, such as a dietitian, music therapy, a breast cancer support group and a breast cancer/lymphedema class. The Center is staffed by highly trained clinicians with expertise in implementing and utilizing the most advanced radiation therapy technology. Located at 401 E. Highland Ave., Suite D, in the Outpatient Center adjacent to the St. Bernardine Medical Center campus, the Center is open Monday through Friday, except for holidays, and accepts most major insurance plans. Appointments can be made by calling (909) 475-2700. Editor's Note: The following definitions provide detail about medical terms used in this news release: Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT): External beam radiation therapy allowing for precise targeting of a tumor, avoiding adjacent critical structures, sparing more of the healthy tissue surrounding a tumor and minimizing side effects of treatment. HDR Brachytherapy: High-dose temporary implants of radioactive sources. Seed Implantation: Low-dose permanent radioactive seed implants.