CUMBERLAND, MD (February 25, 2008) – Lauth and Western Maryland Health System today announced plans to begin construction this spring on a large new medical office building integrated with the Western Maryland Health System’s new regional medical center currently under construction in Cumberland. This facility will offer 120,000 square feet (SF) of outpatient services and medical office space. Lauth, one of the nation’s leading developers, expects the office building to open in conjunction with the medical center in the fall of 2009.

“This medical office building will offer patients and physicians convenient access to state-of-the-art facilities connected to the area’s newest medical center,” said Andy Lawler, Vice President of Healthcare at Lauth. “We are delighted to partner with Western Maryland Health System on this exciting project.”

Western Maryland Health System will locate outpatient dialysis, behavioral health, pharmacy, and pain management services in approximately one-third of the building. The remaining 90,000 SF will be available to physician practices seeking to be located on the hospital campus. The building will be connected to the new medical center on the second floor.

“This dynamic project is a key initiative in our strategic plan to develop a new, comprehensive medical complex for patients in our region,” said Barry P. Ronan, President and CEO of the Western Maryland Health System. “We are pleased to be working with the team from Lauth, which brings tremendous expertise to the project.”

This marks the latest announcement for Lauth, the 13th largest healthcare developer in the nation according to Modern Healthcare. Last fall the Indianapolis-based company celebrated the grand opening of the Exempla Lutheran Medical Center Southwest outside of Denver, Colorado. It also broke ground on Riverview Point, a six-building office park near Phoenix, and a healthcare facility for PinnacleHealth in Mechanicsburg, PA. Lauth currently has nearly two-dozen other healthcare facilities under construction or development nationwide.
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About Western Maryland Health System
The Western Maryland Health System provides a comprehensive range of services to residents in Western Maryland and surrounding counties in West Virginia and Pennsylvania. The services provided currently by its two hospitals will be combined into one new facility in Fall 2009. Additional information about WMHS is available at www.wmhs.com.

About Lauth
Since 1977, Lauth has been building facilities for clients to lease or own throughout the United States. Lauth’s years of solid experience, coupled with completed projects worth billions, make it a leading national development and construction firm. Lauth delivers virtually any type of facility including healthcare, industrial, office, and retail from offices in Indianapolis, Charlotte, Dallas, Denver, Orlando and Phoenix. Additional Lauth information is available at www.lauth.net. People. Trust. Experience. ®