Haverhill, MA - January 31, 2007 - Daniel Colón recently joined Merrimack Valley Hospital as the Chief Operating Officer. In this role, Colón is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations and long-term strategic planning for the hospital. His principal responsibilities include diagnostic imaging, laboratory, marketing, facilities, rehabilitation and food service. Colón was instrumental in the Merrimack Valley Hospital's recent purchase of the state-of-the-art 64-Slice CT imaging system from GE Healthcare. This system offers an innovative way for physicians to obtain the information they need to diagnose disease and life-threatening illnesses including cardiovascular disease, stroke and chest pain.

"This is an exciting time at the Merrimack Valley Hospital," said Colón. As the Chief Operating Officer my focus is to provide our patients with the safest and most effective healthcare options available. With the recent purchases of the 64-Slice CT scan and a digital mammography unit, we are reducing patient stress and anxiety while enhancing the quality of these procedures."

Colón has over 12 years experience in healthcare and business administration. He has served in various management and executive level positions in hospitals across the country. Prior to joining the Merrimack Valley Hospital, he was vice-president of operations at Wood County Hospital in Bowling Green, Ohio. He holds an MBA in Health Administration from the University of Colorado and an MHA from Loma Linda University in California. He currently resides in Haverhill, MA.