DaVita Inc. , a leading provider of kidney care services for those diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD), today announced the home of its corporate headquarters will be located in Colorado. The announcement was made during a press conference on the Galleria of the Denver Performing Arts Complex by DaVita Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Kent Thiry, who was joined by Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper.

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Thiry plans to move to the Denver area along with several other senior executives, but relocation efforts are not currently planned for teammates working in the current El Segundo, California headquarters or elsewhere around the company.

Since DaVita started in 1999, it has grown to become a FORTUNE 500® company with nearly $6 billion in annual revenues and clinical outcomes widely and consistently recognized as the best or among the best in the kidney care industry. The company operates more than 1,400 outpatient dialysis centers and acute units in more than 700 hospitals in 43 states and the District of Columbia. DaVita - which is Italian for "giving life" - currently has more than 32,000 teammates around the nation and serves more than 114,000 patients with life-saving kidney care treatment. In fact, nearly one-in-three dialysis patients in the United States is a DaVita patient.

"We're very pleased to announce our search is over and we've selected the Denver area to make our home," said Kent Thiry, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DaVita. "I want to thank Governor Ritter, Mayor Hickenlooper and their staffs for making such a tremendous effort in helping us choose Colorado."

The decision to select the Denver area for DaVita's corporate headquarters was based on four critical factors:

  1. The city's geographic location is ideal for a nationwide company with
     facilities and operations spread across nearly every state in the
     country;
  2. The relative costs in the area are less expensive for families and
     companies alike;
  3. Denver is widely considered to be a highly desirable place to live and
     work; and

  4. DaVita's significant existing presence in the region provides a solid
     foundation upon which the company can continue to grow.

The company expects to see millions of dollars in savings over time as a result of the change.

"DaVita's decision to move its headquarters is a great coup for metro Denver and the state of Colorado," said Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper. "DaVita is one of the biggest and the best in its industry. The company's decision reaffirms what we know is true about our community - that Denver is one of the best places in the nation to work and play. We are proud DaVita chose to call Colorado home."

"While Colorado families and businesses continue to struggle, we are clearly seeing encouraging signs of economic activity - and DaVita's decision to move its headquarters to Colorado tops the list," said Governor Bill Ritter. "Colorado's business-friendly climate and my administration's strategy to create new jobs, help businesses survive the downturn, and develop a highly skilled 21st century labor pool are positioning Colorado for a strong and sustainable recovery. On behalf of people throughout the state, we heartily welcome DaVita's Colorado expansion and we congratulate Mayor Hickenlooper and all those who helped make these new jobs a reality."

As part of DaVita's extensive network of outpatient facilities and acute units, DaVita has nearly 30 outpatient facilities statewide and a total of nearly 800 employees serving approximately 2,000 kidney care patients around the state.

DaVita® is a registered trademark of DaVita Inc. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

About DaVita Inc.

DaVita Inc., a FORTUNE 500® company, is a leading provider of kidney care in the United States, providing dialysis services and education for patients with chronic kidney failure and end stage renal disease. Recognized as the only FORTUNE 500 company on WorldBlu's annual list of "Most Democratic Work Places," DaVita manages more than 1,400 outpatient facilities and acute units in more than 700 hospitals located in 43 states and the District of Columbia, serving approximately 114,000 patients - nearly one-in-three of all dialysis patients in the United States. As part of DaVita's commitment to building a healthy, caring community, DaVita develops, participates in and donates to numerous programs dedicated to transforming communities and creating positive, sustainable change for children, families and our environment. For more information about DaVita, its kidney education materials and its community programs, please visit www.davita.com.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: LeAnne.Zumwalt@davita.com

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SOURCE: DaVita Inc.